Read Time:
In a significant development for tax‐compliance timelines, the Gujarat High Court has stepped in to ensure that taxpayers subject to statutory audit receive adequate time to file their Income-Tax Returns (ITRs). The bench of Justices Bhargav D. Karia and Pranav Trivedi directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to extend the ITR filing deadline for audited cases to 30 November 2025.
Background & Legal Issue
Under Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, certain taxpayers—such as businesses, firms and professionals—must have their accounts audited and then file an ITR by a ‘due date’. The Act also contains an explanation that the “specified date” for furnishing the audit report must come prior to the ITR deadline by one month.
Recently, the CBDT extended the audit report filing date to 31 October 2025. However, it did not explicitly extend the corresponding ITR‐filing due date. This created a legal inconsistency and practical compliance problem: taxpayers would have audit reports due end of October and ITRs due almost simultaneously—contrary to the statutory one-month gap. The petitioners approached the court pointing this out.
Court’s Decision
Responding to the petition, the Gujarat High Court held that once the specified date (audit report deadline) is extended, the ITR deadline must also shift accordingly by one month to honour the statutory structure. The bench stressed that the CBDT must issue a circular extending the ITR deadline to 30 November 2025 and submit a compliance report by 16 October 2025.
The court emphasized that the CBDT’s failure to notify the extension would leave taxpayers in a state of undue legal and compliance risk—contrary to the principles of efficient tax administration.
Practical Implications for Taxpayers
For businesses, professionals, LLPs and partnership firms covered under audit obligations, this order offers welcome relief:
However, until the CBDT issues the formal circular, the original deadlines continue to stand. Tax practitioners should watch for the notification and plan accordingly.
Key Takeaways
Taxpayers should monitor official communications and coordinate with their auditors and tax advisors to leverage the additional time.
Please keep your views respectful and not include any anchors, promotional content or obscene words in them. Such comments will be definitely removed and your IP be blocked for future purpose.
Subscribe us to get updates on latest Jobs Openings, News, Articles, Notices/ Circulars