Central Board of Direct Taxes has decided to extend the time limit for filing ITR-V form relating to income-tax returns filed electronically (without digital signature) on or after 1st April 2009, up to 31st March 2010 or within a period of 120 days from the date of uploading of the electronic return data, whichever is later. The ITR-V form should continue to be sent by ordinary post to Post Bag No.1, Electronic City Post Office, Bengaluru - 560100 (Karnataka). However, in cases where email acknowledgement for ITR-V form is not received by the taxpayer from the CPC Bengaluru, the taxpayer may send another duly signed ITR-V form by speed post to Centralized Processing Centre, Electronic City Post Office, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560100.

This has been done in relaxation of the stipulation in Circular No. 3/2009 dated 21.05.2009 which allows taxpayers who file their income tax returns in electronic form without digital signature to submit their ITR-V form duly verified and signed, within a period of 30 days thereafter to Post Bag No.1, Electronic City Post Office, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560100, by ordinary post.

The relaxation has been made following requests from taxpayers that, as a one-time measure, the time limit for filing of ITR-V form may be extended to 31st March 2010 and that alternative modes of submission of ITR-V form may also be provided in cases where an ITR-V form has not been received at CPC, Bengaluru by ordinary post. Extension of ITR V filing deadline allows later submission and alternative posting where acknowledgement is not received. Taxpayers who filed electronic income tax returns without digital signature may send duly signed ITR V by ordinary post up to the later of 31 March 2010 or 120 days from upload; if no email acknowledgement is received from the processing centre, taxpayers may resend a duly signed ITR V by speed post. This measure relaxes the prior 30 day submission requirement as a one time procedural accommodation and preserves the designated postal submission route.