Govt extends deadline to file income tax returns, here is till when and why

Income tax return filing deadline has been extended once again by the Finance Ministry. As per a release by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) tax payers now have upto March 15 to file their income tax returns.

The extension has come after various taxpayers have asked the tax department and finance ministry to extend dates due to rising coronavirus cases and issues in new income tax portal as the release.

Chartered accountants' apex body ICAI has sought time till March 31 for filing tax audit reports without penalties, citing the coronavirus pandemic situation and "consistent technical glitches" being faced in using the new I-T portal.

The new e-filing portal www.incometax.gov.in, was launched on June 7 and is managed by Infosys. It had a bumpy start since the day of its launch, with taxpayers and professionals reporting glitches and difficulties in its functioning. The FM had met with Infosys management on December 17 who had assured that all issues had been resolved.

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