NT Reporter
Panaji
With only a few days remaining for taxpayers in the state to file Income Tax Returns (ITR) by September 15, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has sought an extension of the deadline until October 15.
The industry body also sought extra time for businesses to file their audited accounts for 2024-25, up to October 31. For income tax returns of audit cases, GCCI requested that the last date be extended
to November 30.
In a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the GCCI said there are delays in the release of ITR utilities and tax audit forms on the IT department’s online portal. Usually, ITR utilities are made available in April, but for 2024–25, most were released only in July, with some still pending as late as August. “The delay left very little time for taxpayers and professionals to prepare the returns,”
said GCCI.
“Frequent changes in the portal utilities further delayed the filing process as software vendors require additional time to update their systems,” wrote GCCI president Pratima Dhond. The letter highlighted the difficulties faced by small and medium businesses in the state, which rely on professional consultants to prepare their
books of accounts.
The letter also said Goa has connectivity issues, leaving taxpayers with little scope to comply within the current deadlines. “The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has revised the format for the preparation of financial statements applicable for 2024-25 onwards. The changes made will also require additional time to get acquainted,” it said.
The GCCI request comes even after the government had already extended the last date for filing ITR for individual taxpayers from July 31 to September 15.
