The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2023-24 is today, July 31, 2024. As taxpayers hurry to meet this deadline, many may encounter issues with tax payments, such as their bank account being debited without the generation of a tax challan.
Experts offer advice on how to navigate these challenges.
Common Glitches and Their Solutions
In recent days, taxpayers have experienced technical glitches while filing their ITRs.
Sujit Bangar, Founder of Taxbuddy.com, emphasizes that the income tax portal might be slow due to high traffic, and it's crucial for taxpayers to be patient.
"Users should not file in a hurry," he advises. "It's better to wait and ensure details are entered correctly. Even if the portal is slow, it’s working fine if we keep patience."
If a payment issue arises where the bank account is debited but no tax challan is generated, experts suggest the following steps:
- Contact the bank branch where the payment was made. The bank will coordinate with the Income Tax Department to resolve the issue and generate the challan.
- If the challan is not received immediately after the ITR payment, avoid making another payment. The initial transaction will eventually be processed.
Importance of Correct ITR Filing
Filing an ITR with incorrect details can lead to severe consequences, such as the ITR being marked defective or invalid. Therefore, Bangar stresses the importance of filing with patience and accuracy.
Verifying Tax Payment
Taxpayers can verify whether their payment has been successfully made to the Income Tax Department through the following process:
- Challan Identification Number (CIN): Once the tax payment is completed, a Challan Identification Number is generated. This number serves as proof of payment and can be used to verify the transaction on the Income Tax Department’s website.
