As part of its pre-Budget 2026–27 recommendations, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has called for measures to clear the massive backlog of tax appeals pending before Commissioners of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)], amounting to ₹18.16 lakh crore across 5.4 lakh cases as of April 2025.

The industry body said that the long pendency, worsened after the rollout of the faceless appeals mechanism in 2021, is undermining taxpayer confidence and delaying refunds.

It noted that technical issues, repeated notices, and limited access to virtual hearings have slowed case disposals under the new system.

FICCI recommended that 40% of vacancies at the CIT(A) level be filled immediately and that a dual-track system be introduced—fast-tracking simple, low-value cases wh

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