Income tax due date extension and relaxation for filing of return and various audit reports under the Income-tax Act, 1961:

Clarification on interest calculation following the Income Tax due date extension:  

It is pertinent to note that, although, the due date for furnishing the ROI have been extended, however, the extended due date shall not be applicable for the purpose of computing interest under section 234A of the Act in a scenario where the payment of self-assessment tax exceeds INR 1,00,000.  

It is further clarified that, in case of a resident senior citizen not having any income chargeable to tax under the head business or profession, the tax paid till the original due date of filing of ROI shall be treated as an advance tax and accordingly no interest shall be chargeable on such amount.

Reason for the Income Tax due date extension:

The CBDT has launched the new income tax e-filing portal on 7 June 2021. However, since its launch, the taxpayers are facing various technical glitches in filing of various forms, certificates, and reports on this portal. In view of the difficulties faced, the ‘Finance Minister’ has given a deadline of 15 September 2021 to Infosys to resolve all the technical glitches such that taxpayers and professionals can work seamlessly on the portal. However, even if the technical glitches are resolved within the said date, it would leave a very short period for the taxpayers/professionals to file the return of income and audit reports on the portal.

Thus, the CBDT acknowledged the hardship caused to the various taxpayers and other stakeholders and accordingly extended the various dues dates with respect to filing of return of income and various audit reports under the Act. This, indeed, is a welcome move and provides much needed relief to the taxpayers.

Prior to this, the CBDT had issued Circular No. 16/ 2021, dated 29 August 2021, and extended the due dates w.r.t various other direct tax compliances.