Surat Chartered Accountants Drag CBDT to Gujarat High Court Over Income Tax Portal Failures
Association cites chronic glitches, delayed forms, and taxpayer hardships in fresh writ petition
Petition seeks independent monitoring committee and accountability for persistent technical lapses
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: December 02, 2025:
The Chartered Accountants Association of Surat (CAAS) has once again approached the Gujarat High Court, filing a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution against the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). The petition highlights systemic failures in the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal, chronic delays in releasing statutory forms, and the resulting hardships faced by taxpayers and professionals.
This moves underscores growing frustration among tax professionals over repeated disruptions in compliance processes, which expose taxpayers to penalties and interest liabilities.
Background of the Petition
- Portal paralysis: CAAS alleges that the architecture of the e-filing portal, which relies heavily on server-side validations and synchronous checks, collapses during peak filing periods.
- Delayed forms: Statutory forms and utilities for AY 2025–26 were released late, leaving taxpayers with insufficient time to comply.
- Earlier petitions: CAAS had filed multiple writ petitions earlier in 2025, which were disposed of after limited extensions of due dates. However, the core issues of portal reliability and accountability remained unaddressed.
- Fresh cause of action: The association argues that persistent failures and taxpayer hardships justify a new writ petition.
Court Proceedings
The petition was filed before the Gujarat High Court, seeking urgent intervention. CAAS requested:
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- Independent monitoring committee: Comprising representatives from ICAI, NIC, industry, and technology experts, to oversee portal performance.
- Accountability measures: Disciplinary action against officials or vendors responsible for repeated lapses.
- Systemic reforms: Long-term solutions to ensure portal stability and timely release of forms.
The Court has admitted the petition, and notices have been issued to the CBDT.
Why the Petition Matters
This case has wide implications for India’s tax administration:
- Taxpayer rights: Ensures individuals and businesses are not penalized due to technical failures.
- Professional credibility: Chartered accountants rely on timely compliance; portal glitches undermine their work.
- Systemic accountability: Pushes CBDT to address recurring issues rather than offering temporary extensions.
- Judicial oversight: Reinforces the role of courts in safeguarding fairness in tax administration.
Industry and Legal Impact
Tax experts believe the petition will reshape how compliance systems are managed:
- Businesses: Relief from penalties caused by portal failures.
- Tax professionals: Greater confidence in filing processes.
- CBDT: Pressure to improve IT infrastructure and vendor accountability.
- Judiciary: Sets precedent for intervention in systemic administrative failures.
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Expert Reactions
- Chartered accountants welcomed the petition, saying it reflects ground realities faced during compliance.
- Legal scholars noted that judicial intervention is necessary when administrative systems repeatedly fail.
- Industry associations expressed concern that compliance burdens are increasing despite digital reforms.
Broader Context
India’s tax administration has been undergoing digital transformation, with e-filing portals designed to simplify compliance. However, repeated glitches have undermined confidence:
- Peak season collapses: Portals often fail during filing deadlines.
- Delayed utilities: Forms for tax audits and returns are released late, compressing compliance timelines.
- Vendor accountability: Questions remain over Infosys, the technology vendor managing the portal.
The CAAS petition seeks to address these systemic issues through judicial oversight.
Conclusion
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The Chartered Accountants Association of Surat’s writ petition against CBDT in the Gujarat High Court is a landmark move to ensure accountability in India’s tax administration. By highlighting persistent portal failures and delayed forms, the petition seeks systemic reforms rather than temporary relief.
For taxpayers, the case offers hope of smoother compliance. For professionals, it validates their concerns. And for the government, it is a reminder that digital reforms must be backed by reliability, accountability, and transparency.
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