[BREAKING] Tax Professionals in Protest! CA Members to Hold Peaceful Protest at ICAI ITO Today

The demonstration is being organized by members of the CA fraternity, who have voiced growing frustration over the government’s handling of repeated technical glitches in the income tax e-filing portal and the lack of adequate extensions for filing statutory returns.

The call for protest was given by several CA leaders and practitioners across social media, with CA Himank Singla confirming the scheduled protest through an announcement widely circulated on X. Chartered Accountant members in nearby areas have been urged to attend in large numbers, underscoring the scale of discontent within the profession.

For weeks, tax professionals have raised alarms over systemic challenges caused by portal downtime, compliance congestion, and the absence of timely clarifications from authorities. Many have highlighted that despite numerous appeals, extensions for Tax Audit Reports (TARs) and Income Tax Returns (ITRs) are either delayed or inadequate, leaving professionals to face compliance pressure during peak festival seasons.

Reactions from within the community reflect both determination and confusion. Some professionals questioned why the protest is being held at ICAI’s office instead of directly before the Ministry of Finance, which is responsible for deadlines and policy decisions. “Why at ICAI and not at Ministry of Finance? Nevertheless will join,” remarked CA Arvind Sharma. Others criticized ICAI’s perceived silence on the matter, arguing that the Institute must strongly represent member concerns before the government.

Prominent voices also pointed out the disparity in treatment, noting that corporates receive automatic extensions of 45 days for statutory filings without request, while professionals are compelled to stage protests for similar relief. “Such treatment is humiliating to the profession,” said another practitioner, warning that audit quality is compromised when deadlines are squeezed.

The protest is expected to be symbolic and peaceful, aimed at drawing attention to the growing compliance burden placed on tax professionals without corresponding infrastructural support. Members of the CA community are also framing the issue as a matter of professional dignity, highlighting that practitioners are forced to spend festive seasons battling portal glitches and deadline anxiety instead of celebrating with families.

With widespread support mobilized on digital platforms, today’s demonstration at ICAI ITO will serve as a litmus test of the fraternity’s unity and resolve.

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