Ministry of Finance Extension of due date of furnishing of Income Tax Returns and Audit Reports Posted On: 24 OCT 2020 2:27PM by PIB Delhi In view of the challenges faced by taxpayers in meeting the statutory and regulatory compliances due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Government brought the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Ordinance, 2020 (‘the Ordinance’) on 31st March, 2020 which, inter alia, extended various time limits. The Ordinance has since been replaced by the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Act. The Government issued a Notification on 24thJune, 2020 under the Ordinance which, inter alia, extended the due date for all Income Tax Returns for the FY 2019-20 (AY 2020-21) to 30th November, 2020. Hence, the returns of income which were required to be filed by 31st July, 2020 and 31st October, 2020 are required to be filed by 30th November, 2020. Consequently, the date for furnishing various audit reports includin

The Government has been receiving a number of representations regarding need to extend due date for filing Annual Return (FORM GSTR-9) and Reconciliation Statement (FORM GSTR-9C) for 2018-19 on the grounds that on account of the COVID-19 pandemic related lockdown and restrictions, normal operation of businesses have still not been possible in several parts of the country. It has been requested that the due dates for the same be extended beyond 31st October 2020 to enable the businesses and auditors to comply in this regard. In view of the same, on the recommendations of the GST Council, it has been decided to extend the due date for filing Annual Return (FORM GSTR-9/GSTR-9A) and Reconciliation Statement (FORM GSTR-9C) for Financial Year 2018-19 from 31st October 2020 to 31st December, 2020. Notifications to give effect to this decision would follow. It may be noted that filing of Annual Return (FORM GSTR-9/ GSTR-9A) for 2018-19 is optional for taxpayers who had aggregate turnover below

Section's 140, 159, 160,168,176, 178 etc. of the Income Tax Act, 1961 envisages many situations where a person would not be able to attend to their Income Tax related affairs on their own. In such cases, their guardian or any other competent person can act on their behalf with specific authorisation. Under the circumstances mentioned below, a user can register as representative of another person for carrying out their activities in e-Filing portal. Prerequisite The following table represents the categories available for applicable user type: Categories of Assesses Who shall Register as 'Representative' Mentally incapacitated Guardian / Manager who is managing the affairs of such person Deceased (Legal heir) Legal heir of the deceased person Minor Guardian / Manager who is managing the affairs of such person Lunatic or Idiot Guardian / Manager who is managing the affairsof such person As Court of Wards etc Administrator General / Official Trustee / Receiver / Manager who man