GCCI Requests CBDT to Extend ITR Filing Deadline Due to Heavy Rains in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has urged the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to extend the July 31 deadline for filing non-audit income tax returns (ITR-1 and ITR-2) for the assessment year 2026–27 by at least 15 days, citing widespread disruption caused by heavy monsoon rains across the state.

In a representation submitted to the CBDT, the chamber said the request has been made on behalf of taxpayers, tax professionals, and the business community in Gujarat. It noted that the return filing deadline coincides with severe weather conditions that have affected normal life in many parts of the state.

GCCI said unprecedented rainfall, flash floods, and waterlogging have disrupted daily activities. It referred to Ahmedabad receiving 294.6 mm of rainfall within 24 hours on July 23, which led to evacuations and the deployment of disaster response teams.

The industry body also pointed out that prolonged power outages and poor internet connectivity, particularly in Tier-2, Tier-3, and rural areas, have made tax compliance difficult. It further highlighted recurring technical issues on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal, including system slowdowns, timeouts, and reconciliation errors in AIS, TIS, and Form 26AS.

While taxpayers filing non-audit ITR-3 and ITR-4 have already been granted an extension until August 31, GCCI has sought similar relief for those filing ITR-1 and ITR-2.

CA Jainik Vakil, Chairman of the GCCI Direct Tax Committee, said an early announcement extending the deadline by 15 days would help compensate for the working days lost due to the ongoing monsoon disruptions and enable taxpayers to file accurate returns. DeshGujarat