The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) have directed the Income Tax Department (ITD) to make arrangements for receiving income tax returns on 31st July 2010, the due date for filing tax returns by most taxpayers, as that day happens to be a Saturday. ITD has also been asked to make special arrangements by setting up additional counters from 28th July to 31st July 2010, to facilitate taxpayers in filing their income tax returns. In Delhi, special counters will be set up in Pragati Maidan, as in earlier years, to receive about 5 lakh income tax returns that are filed in the last few days. The Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi, will later announce the details of the special arrangements made for the taxpayers of Delhi. Counters will provide additional and value-added services such as free return forms, photocopy, PAN application and information, e-filing, help desk, etc. Separate counters will also be opened for senior citizens and ladies, wherever required. Similarly, special arrangements will be made in other major tax-collecting centers of the ITD such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, etc. Details in this regard will be announced later by the respective chief Commissioners of Income Tax. Taxpayers are advised to file their income tax returns early to avoid the last minute rush. Taxpayers are also requested to use the e-filing facility of the Income Tax department to get faster and error-free services. It is easy, secure and can be availed of from anywhere anytime. E-filing service is available on the website https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/index.jsp The Income Tax Rules have been recently amended to include Receipt Number on the TDS certificates as a mandatory field. It is clarified that Receipt Number will not be required for the income tax returns to be filed this year (assessment year 2010-11), but only from next year. Tax deductors are, however, requested to quote Receipt Number of the TDS return for all tax deducted from this financial year.

Tax filing facilitation: special counters and e filing promoted to ease return submission; TDS receipt number effective next year. The CBDT directed the Income Tax Department to set up special and additional counters, including large temporary facilities and dedicated senior citizen and women counters, in major centres to receive returns on the due date when it falls on a weekend and during the final days before the deadline, providing services such as free forms, PAN assistance, e filing support and help desks. The department also promotes e filing for faster, error free filing and clarifies that the Receipt Number on TDS certificates is mandatory from the next year, though not required for the current assessment year.