GST Portal Glitches May Push GSTR-3B Deadline by a Day; Govt Weighs Relief for Taxpayers

The government is likely to grant a one-day extension for filing GSTR-3B returns for the March 2026 tax period following widespread technical disruptions on the GST portal. The proposed move comes after taxpayers and professionals faced significant challenges in meeting the April 20 deadline.

The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) acknowledged the inconvenience caused and issued an apology for the system-related issues that impacted return filing. A large number of chartered accountants and tax practitioners reported difficulties in accessing the portal and completing filings on time. In response to the feedback, GSTN indicated that the authorities are considering extending the due date to April 21.

GSTR-3B, a summary return used by taxpayers to declare GST liabilities and make payments for a specific tax period, is a mandatory monthly compliance requirement. However, persistent technical glitches disrupted not only the filing process but also payment updates, with many users reporting delays in transaction reflection on the portal.

Tax experts highlighted that the portal had been responding slowly for several days, creating uncertainty among taxpayers. In some cases, even after making payments through banks, the status was either delayed or not updated, increasing the risk of late fees and interest charges.

Professionals also pointed out the serious consequences of missing the deadline, including potential suspension of GST registration and issuance of cancellation notices by certain state authorities within a short span. Given these challenges, the expected extension is seen as a necessary relief measure to safeguard taxpayers from undue penalties arising due to technical shortcomings.