The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to extend the deadline for filing tax audit reports for the financial year 2024–25 (assessment year 2025–26).
In a letter submitted by the Central India Regional Council (CIRC) of ICAI, the body has proposed that the due date be shifted from 30 September 2025 to 31 December 2025. The council argued that professionals and taxpayers are facing multiple hurdles in completing the process within the current timeline.
While the government has already extended the due date for filing income tax returns to 15 September 2025, CIRC stated that this relief is inadequate given the complexities involved in tax audits. The staggered release of ITR forms and persistent technical issues on the e-filing portal have also slowed down submissions.
The council further highlighted that the July–October period is particularly burdensome for taxpayers and chartered accountants, as it coincides with obligations relating to goods and services tax, company law compliance, and other regulatory filings. This overlap, it said, makes it extremely difficult to complete audits on time.
CIRC chairman Ankur Kumar Gupta and secretary Jayendra Kumar Tiwary underscored the operational challenges in compiling accurate data and conducting detailed audits, emphasizing that an extension would not only ease compliance pressure but also ensure better accuracy in reporting.
If accepted, the proposal could provide significant relief to businesses and professionals, improving overall compliance and strengthening the tax administration process.
Meanwhile, in a separate announcement, ICAI has postponed its chartered accountancy examinations scheduled for 9–10 September in Kathmandu. The decision follows widespread protests in Nepal after the government imposed a ban on several social media platforms.
