Summary
- The recurring extension of the 30 September tax-audit deadline highlights a flawed compliance design rather than effective governance, with eight out of nine assessment years from AY 2017–18 to AY 2025–26 ending in extensions.
- The article critiques the separation of deadlines for tax-audit reports under Section 44AB and income returns under Section 139(1), arguing they should be aligned due to their interdependent nature.
- High Court litigations have repeatedly underscored the need for adequate preparation time and uniform treatment across states, leading to calls for a common deadline and improved governance frameworks.
- The proposed reforms emphasize a single realistic deadline, mandatory electronic sequencing, and a transparent compliance calendar to eliminate the annual crisis surrounding
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