The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has said it will not grant further extensions for filing return for cases where audit reports need to be filed.
The last date for filing the audit report is January 15 and for filing returns is February 15, for such cases.
“All representations for further extension of the due date are hereby rejected,” the Board said in an order dated January 11.The order was passed in compliance with the directions of the Gujarat High Court that had directed the finance ministry to look into the issue of extension of the due dates, in an order dated January 8.
The Court had passed the order on the petition of the All India Gujarat Federation of Tax Consultants last year. The body had made a representation in October 2020 seeking extension of due dates.
The Board has said in the order that the due date was extended three times – from October 31, to November 30, January 31 and now to February 15 – and any further extension would postpone revenue collection which in turn will hamper government’s efforts to provide relief to the poor during Covid 19 pandemic.
“The tax collections assume great significance in these difficult times and the government needs revenue to carry out relief work for the poor and other responsibilities. Any delay in filing returns affects collection of taxes and other welfare functions of the state for the vulnerable and weaker sections of society which is funded through the revenue collected,” the Board said.
Any further extension would adversely affect the return filing discipline and shall also cause injustice to those who have taken pains to file returns before the due date, the Board added in the order.
The Board further noted that sufficient time has already been given to the taxpayers to file their returns and a large number of taxpayers had already filed their returns of income.
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