The GST portal has been down for over 24 hours, causing significant concern among taxpayers just days before the crucial deadline for filing monthly and quarterly returns. As of Friday, January 10, 2025, at 4 PM IST, the portal remains inaccessible, with the deadline for GSTR-1 submissions looming on Saturday, January 11.
The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) acknowledged the ongoing issues via social media, stating that technical difficulties have hindered users from generating and filing their GSTR-1 summaries. Despite an earlier announcement that the portal would be operational by noon today, many users are still unable to access the site, leading to widespread frustration among business owners who rely on the platform for compliance.
In response to the situation, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is considering extending the filing deadline. Currently, the deadline for monthly filers is set for January 11, while those under the Quarterly Returns with Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme have until January 13. Business owners are calling for an extension to alleviate the pressure caused by these technical glitches.
Tax professionals have reported increased confusion and anxiety among traders due to the portal's downtime. Many clients have reached out expressing their inability to file returns as the deadline approaches. Industry experts suggest that if these issues persist, an extension of a few days may be necessary to ensure compliance without undue stress.
As it stands, users are advised to continue monitoring the GST portal for updates while awaiting an official announcement regarding any potential extension of the filing deadline. The situation underscores the need for a robust infrastructure capable of handling peak traffic during critical filing periods.
What caused the GST portal to go down
The GST portal has been down due to technical difficulties and scheduled maintenance. The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) confirmed that the portal experienced issues starting on January 9, 2025, leading to widespread disruptions for taxpayers attempting to file their GSTR-1 returns ahead of the January 11 deadline.Initially, GSTN announced that the portal would undergo maintenance from midnight until noon on January 10, but users continued to face access problems beyond this timeframe. Reports later indicated that the downtime was extended until at least 3 PM on the same day, further complicating filing efforts for businesses across India
The ongoing issues have prompted calls from business owners for an extension of the filing deadline, as many were unable to complete their submissions due to the portal's unavailability. The situation has raised concerns about compliance and the potential impact on businesses during this critical filing period.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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