Gujarat High Court Pulls Up CBDT for 11 Years of Non-Compliance on Timely ITR Forms & Utilities Release
Chartered Accountants Association, Surat (CAAS) vs Union of India | Order dated 07 April 2026
In a sharp rebuke to the Income Tax Department, the Gujarat High Court has pulled up the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for failing to comply with its own 2015 court directions for the past 11 years.
The Division Bench comprising Hon’ble Justice A.S. Supehia and Hon’ble Justice Pranav Trivedi observed that despite clear judicial directions to make ITR forms and e-filing utilities available on 1st April of every assessment year, the department continues to delay their release, causing widespread inconvenience to taxpayers and professionals.
Background: The 2015 Gujarat High Court Directive
The present petition (R/Special Civil Application No. 16428 of 2025) filed by Chartered Accountants Association, Surat (CAAS) & Ors. refers to the landmark order dated 29.09.2015 passed in Special Civil Application No. 15075 of 2015.
In that judgment, the Court had explicitly directed the respondents (Union of India & CBDT) to ensure that:
- ITR forms and e-filing utilities are ordinarily made available on 1st April of the relevant assessment year.
Despite 11 years having passed, the department has failed to implement this direction consistently.
Gujarat High Court Order – Key Observations (07 April 2026)
Court’s Directives
- The respondents (CBDT/Income Tax Department) have been directed to file a detailed affidavit before the next date of hearing, suggesting concrete measures to resolve the issues.
- The Court warned that failure to comply will result in the Court taking a “serious view” in the matter.
- Next hearing fixed on 27 April 2026 at the top of the Board.
- The Registry was directed to delete the name of Mr. Chaitanya S. Joshi as he was not appearing for the respondents.
What This Means for Taxpayers & Professionals
Every year, millions of taxpayers and Chartered Accountants face:
- Delayed release of ITR forms and utilities
- Last-minute bugs and technical glitches on the e-filing portal
- Pressure to file returns in a short window
- Inability to plan tax compliance effectively
The Gujarat High Court’s strong observations highlight the need for better technical monitoring and accountability from the CBDT.
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Important Note: Taxpayers are advised to regularly check the official e-filing portal for the latest ITR utilities and avoid last-minute rush. We will keep you updated on the next hearing scheduled for 27 April 2026.
Conclusion
The Gujarat High Court’s latest order serves as a strong reminder that judicial directions cannot be ignored indefinitely. With the next hearing just weeks away, the CBDT is now under pressure to present concrete solutions for timely release of ITR forms and better portal management.
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