F.No. 225/270/2017/ITA.II

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Direct Taxes

North-Block, ITA.II Division New Delhi, the 31st July, 2017

Order under Section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961

The 'due-date' for filing income-tax returns for Assessment-Year 2017-2018 is 31.07.2017 for certain categories of taxpayers. It has been reported that some of the taxpayers are facing difficulties in filing their tax-returns due to various reasons including technical difficulties.

2. The Central Board of Direct Taxes, in exercise of powers conferred under section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 ('Act'), hereby extends the 'due-date', as prescribed under section 139(1) of the Act, for filing returns of income from 31st July, 2017 to 5th August, 2017 in cases of all taxpayers who are liable to file their income-tax return by the said 'due-date'.

3. Further, for the purpose of filing return, it shall be sufficient as of now to quote Aadhar or Aadhar Enrolment Number. The actual linking of PAN with Aadhar can be done subsequently, but any time before 31st August, 2017. However, these returns shall not be processed u/s 143(1) until the linkage of Aadhar with PAN is completed.

(Ankita Pandey)

Under-Secretary to the Government of India

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Delhi, 31st July, 2017

PRESS RELEASE

Extension of date for filing of Income Tax Returns

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.  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.  In order to ease out the panic situation, the Government has decided to take the following steps:

1) For the purpose of e-filing return, it would be sufficient as of now to quote Aadhaar or acknowledgement No. for having applied for Aadhaar in e-filing website. The actual linking of PAN with Aadhaar can be done subsequently, but any time before 31st August, 2017.

2) However, the returns will not be processed until the linkage of Aadhaar with PAN is done. In order to facilitate the e-filing of return, it is also decided to give extension of five days for e-filing of return. The return can be filed upto 5th August, 2017.  

(Surabhi Ahluwalia)

Commissioner of Income Tax

(Media & Technical Policy)

Official Spokesperson, CBDT