Income Tax Department to Operate 24×7 Helplines Ahead of July 31 ITR Filing Deadline

To facilitate smooth filing of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year 2026-27, the Income Tax Department has announced that its taxpayer assistance services will operate on a 24×7 basis during the final week leading up to the July 31 filing deadline.

The initiative is aimed at helping taxpayers and tax professionals resolve technical issues, filing-related queries and portal difficulties during the peak return filing period.

According to the official announcement, the Income Tax Department will provide round-the-clock assistance from 8:00 AM on 25 July 2026 until 11:59 PM on 31 July 2026, ensuring continuous support throughout the final days before the due date.

Taxpayers can seek assistance through various official support channels, including:

• Income Tax e-Filing Helpdesk

• Toll-free and dedicated helpline numbers

• Live web chat support

• Email-based support

• Self-help resources and FAQs available on the e-Filing Portal

These facilities are intended to assist users facing issues such as:

• Login and authentication problems

• PAN and Aadhaar-related issues

• Selection of the correct ITR form

• Return filing and submission errors

• E-verification of returns

• AIS, TIS and Form 26AS-related queries

• Refund status and portal-related technical issues

Every year, a large number of taxpayers file their income tax returns during the last few days before the due date, resulting in heavy traffic on the e-Filing Portal.

To ensure a seamless filing experience and minimise inconvenience, the Department has expanded its support services during the peak filing period.

The move is expected to benefit salaried employees, professionals, businesses, senior citizens and Chartered Accountants handling multiple client filings.

While the Department has strengthened its support mechanism, taxpayers are advised not to wait until the last day to file their returns.

Early filing helps avoid:

• Last-minute portal congestion

• Delays in verification

• Incorrect reporting due to hurried filing

• Difficulty in resolving technical issues before the due date

Taxpayers should also verify their Annual Information Statement (AIS), Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), Form 26AS, bank interest, TDS details and other income before submitting their returns.

For Chartered Accountants and tax professionals, the extended support window provides an opportunity to resolve client-specific technical issues promptly.

Professionals should ensure that:

• Client data is reconciled before filing.

• Appropriate ITR forms are selected.

• Returns are e-verified immediately after submission.

• Acknowledgements and filing confirmations are preserved for future reference.

The Income Tax Department's decision to operate taxpayer support services round the clock demonstrates its focus on improving taxpayer experience during the busiest phase of the return filing season.

With the due date approaching, taxpayers are encouraged to complete their filings well in advance and utilise the official helpdesk facilities whenever assistance is required. CA Sansaar