NEW DELHI, Sept 30: The Income Tax department today extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for 2018-19 by two months till November 30.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in an order said in view of the genuine difficulties being faced by the taxpayers due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the date for furnishing the belated and revised return for Assessment Year 2019-20 is being further extended to November 30, 2020, from September 30, 2020.
This is the fourth extension given by the Government for taxpayers to file both original and revised ITRs for 2018-19 fiscal.
In March, the due date was extended from March 31 to June 30. Later in June, it was again extended by a month till July 31. In July, it was extended till September 30.
“On further consideration of genuine difficulties being faced by taxpayers due to the COVID-19 situation, CBDT further extends the due date for furnishing of belated & revised ITRs for Assessment Yr 2019-20 from 30th September, 2020 to 30th November, 2020,” the CBDT tweeted.
Nangia & Co LLP Partner Shailesh Kumar said the extension has also granted additional time to the Income Tax department to more aggressively pursue its campaign to make taxpayers file their ITR, in whose case some specific financial transactions have been identified and reported.
Recently, the Income Tax department has been sending SMS and e-mails to such taxpayers with a request to file ITR.
Meanwhile, the Government has also extended the deadline for filing GST annual return and audit report for 2018-19 fiscal year by a month till October 31.
“After obtaining due clearances from the Election Commission in view of the Model Code of Conduct, Government has extended due date for furnishing Annual Return in GSTR-9 and GSTR 9C for 2018-19 from 30.09.2020 to 31.10.2020,” the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) tweeted.
In May, the Government had extended the last date for filing annual GST return for 2018-19 by three months till September 2020.
GSTR-9 is an annual return to be filed by taxpayers registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. It consists of details regarding the outward and inward supplies made or received under different tax heads.
GSTR-9C is a statement of reconciliation between GSTR-9 and the audited annual financial statement.
EY Tax Partner Abhishek Jain said this would provide the much needed relief to businesses who were struggling to finalise the GST annual returns and GST audit certification because of the challenges on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While this one is sorted, businesses are also eyeing for a relaxation on the e-invoicing compliances by making it a voluntary one for a few months, which is slated for mandatory implementation from tomorrow,” Jain added. (PTI)
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