I-T returns filing deadline extended to August 5

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Monday extended the linking of Aadhaar with PAN (Permanent Account Number) till August 31.

The income tax returns will be processed after the linking, a release said.

Under pressure to push back the July 31 deadline for filing income tax returns due to the inability of the online server to handle the traffic on the last day, the Income Tax Department on Monday announced the extension of the deadline to August 5.

“There are some complaints that the taxpayers are not being able to log on to the e-filing website of Income Tax Department or not being able to link Aadhaar with PAN because of different names reflected in PAN and Aadhaar database,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

“While technical snags have been removed already, the main reason for failure of people to log in is because of last minute rush and panic in which those who have already logged in want to continue for the entire period for fear of losing it.”

“For the purpose of e-filing return, it would be sufficient as of now to quote Aadhaar or acknowledgement number for having applied for Aadhaar in e-filing website,” the statement said,adding, “The actual linking of PAN with Aadhaar can be done subsequently, but any time before August 31, 2017. However, the returns will not be processed until the linkage of Aadhaar with PAN is done.”

A senior official of the department said the decision to extend the deadline was taken after a meeting on Monday of the Revenue Department and the CBDT.

The department, till Sunday, maintained that no extension would be given as already over 2 crore returns have been received and no major glitches on the portal was detected.

This time, the linking of the Aadhaar number with the PAN of a taxpayer has been made mandatory for filing of an ITR, beginning July 1.

The department has also asked taxpayers to declare cash deposits made in bank accounts aggregating to ₹2 lakh or more, post demonetisation between November 9-December 30 last, in the ITRs.

The ITRs pertain to 2016-17 fiscal or assessment year 2017-18.

(With inputs from PTI)