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June 18, 2021
The Honourable Finance Minister
Ministry of Finance
New Delhi
Subject: Representation on Issues/Glitches in the New Income Tax Portal & Suggestive Remedial Measures.
Reference: Tweet dated 16.6.2021

Dear Ma’am,

With reference to the captioned subject matter, at the outset we convey our sincere gratitude and thanks to You, for taking due cognizance of the genuine difficulties and hardships of the taxpayers and their authorised representatives, arising out of certain issues and technical glitches in the new Income Tax Portal, and thereby giving us an opportunity to make this written representation to address this critical issue.

Accordingly, in this representation, we are making an honest and sincere attempt to practically demonstrate the technical glitches and currently non-functioning functionalities of the new e-Filing portal, so as to warrant an immediate and much needed attention of the concerned competent authorities to make the e-Filing experience, faster, smoother and better in real sense.

Practical Demonstration of the Improvements Needed in New e-Filing Portal

1. Slow Processing Speed:

Slow Processing Speed

The most significant benefit or advantage of this new e-Filing portal has been proclaimed as its ability to process the ITRs as soon as these are filed by the taxpayers and thereby reducing the existing processing time period of 63 days by CPC to 0.

On first day, infact night (8:45 p.m.) of the launch of the new portal, it was not possible to even login to one’s registered e-filing account. Though the login speed has improved in these 10 days of its launch, still a slight increase in traffic on site, makes the portal very slow with buffering and loading going on for few minutes even.

So, this slow processing speed of the new e-Filing portal is definitely a cause of concern. Currently the site is slow even when the peak return-filing season has not arrived and as such to cope up with the tremendously increased traffic during the peak filing season and more importantly to live upto its desired expectations of immediate processing of ITRs, it is quintessential to increase the speed and processing capabilities of the new e-Filing portal.

2. Inactive e-Filing Tab for Filing ITRs for AY 2021-22

The due dates of filing ITRs for the AY 2021-22 (FY 2020-21) in non-auditable cases has been extended from 31.7.2021 to 30.9.2021 and in auditable cases (other than transfer pricing) has been extended from 31.10.2021 to 30.11.2021 and in auditable transfer pricing cases has been extended from 30.11.2021 to 31.12.2021.

Inactive e-Filing Tab for Filing ITRs for AY 2021-22

However, currently the tab for filing ITR for the current AY 2021-22 is inactive and as such return filing for the AY 2021-22 is not possible presently.

Inactive e-Filing Tab for Filing ITRs for AY 2021-22 2

As soon as AY 2021-22 is selected by the user, the next mandatory tab “Select Filing Tab”, becomes inactive, thereby making it impossible to proceed any further.

It needs to be appreciated that the ITR filing work for AY 2021-22 will gain momentum after 30.6.2021, once the TDS Returns for Q4 of FY 2020-21 are being filed and corresponding TDS credit is being reflected in Form 26AS of the taxpayers. Thus, there is an immediate and urgent need to make the ITR filing tab for AY 2021-22 also functional and operational.

3. Non-Availability of e-Proceedings Utility

The newest and the brightest feather in the digital cap of the Income Tax Department i.e. the e-Proceedings utility was operating very seamlessly and smoothly in the previous e-Filing portal. The first season of the full-fledged faceless assessments for the AY 2018-19 has been successfully carried out on the previous e-Filing portal on the e-Proceedings utility.

Non-Availability of e-Proceedings Utility

However, inspite of the elapse of 10 days since its launch, the e-Proceedings utility has not been made functional in the new e-Filing portal yet. So, in the absence of the e-Proceedings utility, the taxpayers are not able to see and access any of their assessment, appeal and penalty proceedings notices and replies (faceless or otherwise).

It needs to be appreciated that though the time barring completion period for regular assessments u/s 143(3A)/144B for the AY 2018-19 has been extended till 30.6.2021, still the majority of these assessments have been concluded now or are in the final stages of conclusion. In many cases, the taxpayers have received scrutiny notices u/s 142(1) or show cause notices in cases of ongoing assessments or show cause notices for levy of penalty u/s 270A of the Incometax Act in cases of concluded assessments, on or before 31.5.2021, in the previous portal.

However, due to the unavailability of the e-Proceedings utility in the new portal, the assessees are not in a position to file their corresponding replies to such notices. Therefore, the e-Proceedings utility must be made functional in a timely manner, so as to enable the assessees to file their replies to the notices in a comfortable and appropriate manner and this black-out period starting from 31.5.2021 and continuing till date should be excluded from the time barring completion deadline of 30.6.2021.

Also, the user manual of the new e-Proceedings utility shows that the maximum up-loadable file size has now been reduced to 5MB in place of the earlier size of 10MB, which will create a lot of ground-level problems for the assessees to upload their supporting attachments and records along with their replies.

It needs to be appreciated that this new e-Filing portal was expected to be equipped with increased storing and processing capabilities and so instead of increasing the size of the up-loadable file, this decrease is certainly not warranted and called for.

4. Non-Integration of Valid DINs:

The new e-Filing Portal in its present avatar is not capable of importing the Document Identification Numbers (DINs) of the orders, intimations, notices or any other communications.

One such instance is the consistent ‘DIN Error’ being displayed in the Form 35 e-filing tab of the new portal.

Non-Integration of Valid DINs

The above Real-time windows of the new e-Filing Portal for filing Appeal Form 35 clearly show that even a valid DIN is not getting accepted by the e-Filing tab and thereby making it impossible for the assessees to proceed with filing their appeal Form 35 in respect of their assessment/re-assessment/penalty orders.

5. Non-Availability of Previous Years ITR Forms, ITR Acknowledgements and All Other Online Forms

Non-Availability of Previous Years ITR Forms, ITR Acknowledgements and All Other Online Forms

Non-Availability of Previous Years ITR Forms, ITR Acknowledgements and All Other Online Forms 2

The previous years’ ITR Forms and all other electronic Forms are currently not available for download. The ITR V Acknowledgements are being shown as downloadable but these don’t get downloaded on clicking the download link.

So, currently the taxpayer is not having any access, whatsoever, to any of his/her previously filed ITRs, Appeals or any other Forms.

6. Non-effective Tax Genie Autobot/Chatbox

Non-effective Tax Genie Autobot Chatbox

The widely publicised interactive autoboot Tax Genie chat box feature of the new e-Filing portal bombards the users with prefilled questions and answers, many of which may not be even relevant to the specific query of the user. This feature is not actually an AI enabled feature but just a better presentation of the erstwhile Help sections of the previous e-Filing portal.

7. Non Availability of Online Forms 10A & 10AB for Filing Application for Re-registration of Charitable Trusts and similar Institutions

In the new e-Filing Portal, currently Forms 10A and 10AB for filing Applications for Re-Registration of Charitable Trusts and other similar institutions are not available in spite of the fact that the due date for filing such applications is 30.6.2021.

8. Non Possibility of Revision of ITR & Other Online Forms

Non Possibility of Revision of ITR & Other Online Forms

In the new e-Filing portal, currently it is not possible to revise any of the previously filed ITR or any other online Form, as the ‘access denied’ message makes it impossible for the assessee to revise his/her ITR or any other form.

9. Condonation Request only for ITR V

Condonation Request only for ITR V

Currently, only one type of Condonation Request has been enabled in the new e-Filing portal and that is Condonation for Delay in Submission of ITR-V. No other condonation request is possible.

10. Non Availability of Outstanding Demand Details prior to AY 2020-21

Non Availability of Outstanding Demand Details prior to AY 2020-21

Currently, the details of outstanding income tax demand prior to AY 2020-21 are not getting reflected in the new e-Filing portal and as such making it impossible for the assessees to file responses to their outstanding demands, and thereby giving a leeway for adjustment of their refunds against such demands u/s 245 of the Act.

Concluding Remarks:

The above practical demonstration with the help of real-time templates of the new e-Filing portal makes it duly evident that in spite of the much hype and hoopla concerning this new e-Filing portal, in reality, practically an assessee can’t file ITR for AY 2021-22, can’t file appeal, can’t file rectification or revision, can’t access or see previous years ITR Forms and other online Forms, and doesn’t have any access to any of the assessment, appeal and penalty proceedings, in the current version and avatar of this new e-Filing portal.

Ironically, this new e-filing portal in its current avatar, instead of facilitating the widely proclaimed progression to digitalisation is in fact currently working in its reverse gear and is forcing reverting to manual filing, to avert non-compliance of specified deadlines, one such case in point being the relaxation given by the CBDT in e-filing of forms 15CA and 15CB for foreign remittances, in manual format to the authorised dealers till 30.6.2021.

Thus, the competent income tax authorities and the vendor Infosys are requested to take immediate consideration and cognizance of the above practically demonstrated technical glitches and non functioning functionalities to make the income tax e-filing experience faster, smoother and better in real and effective manner.

Thanking You and assuring You of our best professional support and contribution in Nation building at all times.

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26 Comments

  1. Pranav Mehta says:

    Even after knowing so nuch problems are faced by users the CBDT is not coming forward to say that the due dates would be extended well within time. the toughest issue to resolve is filing Form 10A. which is still not made available on Portal. only 8 days are remaining and they (CBDT) is sitting as silent viewer, and smiling on our helplessness and increasing tension. god only knows when all the issues will get resolved.

  2. SANJEEV SHARMA says:

    Dekhne wali baat to ye he ki CORONA ki tarah kahi hum logo ko is naye Portal ke saath jeene ki aadat to nahi daalni padegi na.
    FM Madam , please please purane Portal ko hi shuru karwa deejiye. Meharbaani hogi

  3. Srijan Baran Guha says:

    I fully agree with all shortcoming mentioned. Earlier we could check 26AS through IT webpage. But now that is not possible.

    1. Shankar D Kurtakoti says:

      Department should not bother with this new portal. Just bring back the old portal and we will forget this nightmare.

  4. D Vajifdar says:

    I am facing difficulty in filling Itr2. Previously for the offline filling the Itr2 was available in Excel whereas now it’s in pdf format where one cannot fill the details.
    Regret to state that the software is not tried n tested. No provision to claim rebate for buy back of shares under 10(34)

  5. L.Santhana Raman says:

    At the outset, when the earlier site was working very well under java set up, reason why it was scrapped when all stakeholders got tuned to it, well versed and was easy to handle.
    Why this unlearn and relearn process?

  6. Chandrakant Ronghe says:

    I am a Sr.citizen and for the last 10 years or so, I am filing ereturns by myself… In my opinion let the authorities roll back to Old portal, which is very user friendly ….

  7. V.Sivakumar says:

    Well said sir. Though I have not analyzed the new portal for filing returns I find in the new portal I don’t find a tab for individuals without salary income. Also the new portal doesn’t admit the old password used during the previous soft ware including AS26 site. Can taxguru kindly educate me if it’s available. Thanks.

  8. Nirav Mehta says:

    What compulsion was in Fianance Ministry to give new portal order to Infosys? When u had lot suffered in GST and MCA. May be that experience was not enough for them.

    1. Shankar D Kurtakoti says:

      From now taxpayers and CAs should boycott Infosys. They had made our life miserable with GST website and yet they were given this new portal work. Now we have worse experience with this horrible portal.

  9. V.Sekar says:

    Der Sir,
    Till todate I could not open the web site of CBDT EVEN to know how ready we are..
    26AS cannot be seen at all unless I log into Traces website as a new subscriber!
    I am afraid Infosys can never set the glitches right for another full year.
    THEREFORE WE STRONGLY REQUEST OUR HONOURABLE FM Sitaraman ji TO RETURN TO OUR PREVIOUS SOFTWARE immediately, which worked beautifully even for a non computer savvy person like me. Give Infosys all the time they need on the Earth to complete their contract glitchfree.
    Urgent restoration of old system is awaited to avoid indefinite delays in ITR filing and glitch clearing work. This episode also clearly shows our bad state of software giants on the technical front.
    Awaiting good news from Madam Sithraman ji.
    Jai Hind.

  10. GANDHI MOHAN BHARATI says:

    My experience with the new portal is a nightmare. Wonder why this was entrusted to the Organisation whose credibility in handling GST is already questionable.
    Kindly give us a choice to use old portal till this organisation is able to give proper service.
    Also waive all penalties for which thwe user is now not resposible.

  11. VENKAT says:

    1. in my case in bank accounts one account is duplicated. 2. the account enabling EVC for the past few years is changed to sone other account of mine. 3. the tax deposit does not reflect latest 26AS. 4. the grievance submittd is not resolved even after 10 days.

  12. M L KAUL says:

    No Form can be downloaded in PDF format
    No Data is saved
    No prefilled data is available
    While opting for New Regime even after filling of Form 10 IE filling of acknowledgement no and date are not getting entered.
    We will prefer the old version

  13. CA Hema Dudeja says:

    Sir, There are some more minor glitches like:
    1. Zero (0) is not being accepted as a number when we enter Challan no. or BSR code of bank branch starting with 0 and an error is displayed stating it is invalid.
    2. We are not able to view or download VSV Forms filed and are not able to file Form 4 due to above said challan no starting with zero issue as stated above. Further, in many cases the department has not yet issued Form 5. No status is appearing.

  14. Govind Prasad Garg says:

    There is no solution of New Income Tax Website. Only solution to roll back decision of new website and restore old website.. Additional features may be added in old website.This vendor company provided GST Software after lapse of 4 years issue and glitches not removed. all professional and tax payers must protest against this

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