Why is the Income Tax Site Not Working – Check Common Issues & Solutions

The Income Tax Department’s official income tax e-filing portal (https://www.incometax.gov.in) is the go-to platform for taxpayers across India. This income tax portal serves as the primary destination for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR), checking your refund status, downloading Form 26AS, and accessing other tax-related services. 

However, users often report glitches or slowdowns when using the platform—especially during the ITR season—leading many to wonder why the income tax site is not working or why the income tax website is not working today. If you're facing issues with the new ITR portal, this guide can help you troubleshoot common problems and ensure a smoother experience.

The income tax portal may stop working or display errors due to multiple reasons. These include heavy traffic, technical glitches, or user-end issues. Below are some common causes and their possible solutions: 

1. Server Overload During Peak Times

Cause: When too many users try to access the income tax e-filing portal at the same time—especially close to the ITR-filing deadline of 31st July—the servers may become overloaded and unresponsive.

Solution: 

• Try to log in to the ITR new portal during off-peak hours such as early morning or late night, when server load is typically low. 

• Avoid delaying your return filing until the last date to minimise server congestion. 

• Always check the homepage of the income tax e-filing portal to see if any scheduled downtime or technical update has been announced. 

2. Unexpected Technical Glitches

Cause: Routine server maintenance or unexpected backend bugs can occasionally interrupt access to the new income tax portal, making it temporarily unavailable.

Solution: 

• Visit the ‘Latest Updates’ section of the income tax portal to view any alerts about ongoing maintenance work. 

• Wait for a few hours and then try accessing the ITR portal login again to see if the issue resolves. 

• Follow the Income Tax Department’s official Twitter handle @IncomeTaxIndia for real-time updates about the income tax site not working today or other service disruptions. 

3. User-Side Issues

Cause: At times, the issue lies not with the server but with the user’s device, browser settings, or internet connection.

Solution: 

• Clear your browser cache and cookies before accessing the income tax website, especially if you face frequent loading errors. 

• If problems persist, try using a different browser to open the ITR login page successfully. 

• Disable pop-up blockers or ad-blocking extensions that may interfere with secure ITR portal login functionality.

 

a) Unable to Login

Issue: This can occur due to incorrect credentials, if a user’s PAN is not linked with Aadhaar, or because of temporary server-side issues on the income tax e-filing portal.

Possible Fixes: 

• Ensure your PAN is linked with your Aadhaar Card to enable seamless access to the ITR login portal. 

• Reset your password by using the ‘Forgot Password’ option available on the income tax portal homepage. 

• Try logging in using Aadhaar OTP if the password-based ITR portal login fails multiple times. 

• Check for server-related issues, clear your browser cache, or switch to another browser and then log in to the ITR new portal again.

 

b) Aadhaar OTP Not Working

Issue: This issue usually arises if your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is inactive or due to network delays during OTP generation.

Possible Fixes: 

• Confirm if your mobile number is correctly linked with Aadhaar for OTP-based access to the new ITR portal. 

• Resend the OTP and wait patiently for a few minutes before retrying. 

• Contact UIDAI through official channels if your mobile number requires an update. 

• Ensure all Aadhaar details are correct and updated before attempting verification again on the income tax portal.

 

c) Pre-Filled Data Missing in ITR Form

Issue: Pre-filled data includes income details, deductions, and Form 26AS records. Missing data can delay your ITR filing process.

Possible Fixes:

• Make sure your PAN is properly linked with Aadhaar and all active bank accounts. 

• Check if your Form 26AS is up to date with all TDS and tax credits. 

• Reload the ITR form on the income tax e-filing portal or log in again after some time. 

• If the data is still unavailable, manually enter information from Form 26AS or AIS on the new income tax portal.

 

d) Issues with Downloading Form 26AS/AIS

Issue: Form 26AS is a critical document for tax validation, and it may fail to download due to format or access issues.

Possible Fixes:

• Ensure you are using the latest version of a trusted PDF reader to view Form 26AS. 

• Open the file using your date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY) as the password as instructed. 

• Wait for a few hours if the income tax site is not working or shows temporary downtime. 

• Visit the TRACES portal (https://www.tdscpc.gov.in) to download Form 26AS as an alternative.

 

e) E-Verification Errors

Issue: E-verification is mandatory after ITR filing. Errors here can render your ITR incomplete or rejected.

Possible Fixes: 

• Check if your bank account is pre-validated and correctly linked to the income tax portal. 

• Ensure your bank account is associated with your PAN and your active mobile number. 

• Use alternate e-verification options like Aadhaar OTP or internet banking through the ITR portal login. 

• If digital verification fails, post a signed physical copy of ITR-V to CPC within 120 days.

 

f) Payment Gateway Issues

Issue: Tax payment failures may occur due to bank server issues or browser timeout errors during processing.

Possible Fixes:

• Do not refresh or close the browser while your payment is being processed on the income tax e-filing portal. 

• Contact your bank to check for any technical restrictions or scheduled downtimes. 

• Choose other payment methods like UPI, net banking, or debit/credit cards on the new income tax portal. 

• If the amount is debited but no receipt is generated, wait for 24 hours or check with your bank.

 

f) Website Shows 'Service Unavailable'

Issue: Messages like ‘Service Unavailable’ or ‘Error 503’ usually appear during peak hours or portal maintenance windows.

Possible Fixes:

•  Visit the income tax website homepage to verify if scheduled maintenance is currently active. 

• Try logging in again after some time or access the site from another device or network. 

• Follow @IncomeTaxIndia on Twitter for real-time updates on the income tax site not working today.

1. Use the Right Browser & Settings

   For optimal access to the income tax e-filing portal, use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. Enable JavaScript and cookies in your browser settings to ensure that all sections of the income tax portal function smoothly.

2. Keep Your Internet Connection Stable

   An unstable network may interrupt sessions, especially when accessing sensitive features like ITR portal login. Always use a reliable broadband or mobile internet connection to avoid mid-session errors on the new income tax portal.

3. Log in During Off-Peak Hours

   Accessing the ITR login page early in the morning or late at night reduces the chances of server lag. Try to avoid weekends, holidays, and the last few days before the deadline, as these are peak times when the income tax site is not working for many users.

4. Update Browser & Disable Extensions

   Regularly clear your cache, update your browser, and disable extensions like ad blockers or autofill tools. These may interfere with scripts or prevent key features of the income tax website from loading properly. 

5. Keep Backup of Your ITR Data

   Always save copies of your pre-filled forms, payment receipts, and final acknowledgements. Back up your files both online (cloud) and offline (local drive) to prevent data loss during ITR portal login failures or if the income tax portal is not working temporarily.

If you’ve followed the best practices and still face issues such as the ITR website not working or repeated login failures, contact the support team via any of the following:

• Helpline: 1800 103 0025 (Toll-Free) 

• Email: efilingwebmanager@incometax.gov.in 

• Live Chat: Use the ‘Chat Now’ button on the bottom-right corner of the income tax portal homepage 

• Online Portal: Visit https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/help to raise a service request 

 

Keep your PAN number handy, along with a screenshot of the error and a brief description of the issue. This helps speed up the resolution process for common problems like the ITR site not working or “request is not authenticated in income tax portal” errors. 

 

To sum up, navigating the income tax portal smoothly involves understanding common technical hurdles and applying simple fixes. From using the right browser to choosing off‑peak hours for ITR portal login, and safeguarding your data, these steps ensure hassle‑free e‑filing. With the right approach, glitches like the income tax site not working become less daunting and more manageable.