S & Co. story - The last days before tax filing

 

Tax Drama at S & Co. 

The last few days before tax filing due date in a CA’s office is not just about numbers. It’s a mix of deadlines, drama, and unexpected comedy. At S&Co., this period has its own pulse, like a marathon with surprise hurdles at every turn.

As always, along with the usual last-minute rush - the income tax portal turns temperamental. Just when clients wanted to pay their self-assessment tax or check challans, the site would freeze, forcing repeated logins and endless retries. One client sat for more than an hour just trying to complete an online tax payment. It wasn’t a one-off either, everyone knew this drill. Every year, as thousands - probably millions - of consultants, CAs and taxpayers flood the system to pay taxes, file returns, or download AIS and Form 26AS, the portal inevitably staggers under the pressure.

Inside S&Co., files came in all shapes and states, some neatly indexed, others looking like they had just survived a dust storm. One sheepishly confessed, “Madam, these papers were found yesterday from my son’s book case.”

Through it all, Jagruti kept an eye on the workflow, stepping in where needed and making sure priorities were clear. Phones rang constantly. Pooja juggled two calls while signing off on investment proofs. Prajakta carefully extracted a crumpled Form 16 from a just-to-be-retired teacher. Each one played their role, making sure no return slipped through the cracks.

Clients themselves added their share of entertainment:

The Last-Minute Filer, rushing in or forwarding by email with half the proofs missing.

The Super-Organized One, who came with color-coded files and a reconciliation already done / emailing the attachments with a neat index.

The Confused NRI, calling from Dubai: “Can I WhatsApp a screenshot of my FD? The bank statement will take time.”

The Ever Opportune, “Can I claim dog food as medical expense? Because talking to my dog keeps my BP under control.”

And then, the unsung hero - Dhawal. Officially in charge of in house accounts, billing & society accounts within the firm, he usually spends time billing clients, emailing them documents or following up for payments. But during tax week, he transforms into the in-house morale booster. Armed with unmatched enthusiasm, he made sure every client and every team member had a steaming cup of tea or a piece / slice of fresh fruit.

By evening, the office resembled a war zone: glowing laptops, buzzing phones, and towers of files. Yet amidst the chaos, there was rhythm. Juniors learned on the fly, seniors guided with patience, and clients left reassured that their returns were safe. To-do lists for the next day were carefully prepared, follow-ups for pending documents were diligently pursued, and every task found its place in the flow of the day.

And that’s the beauty of S&Co. Even with portal glitches, last-minute confusions and client quirks, the office runs seamlessly. Deadlines get met, clients get served, and the team powered by humour, teamwork, and endless cups of tea, makes sure every return crosses the finish line.

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