Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Direct Taxes

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 1st October, 2015

Subject: Extension of date for filing of Income tax returns and tax audit reports to 31st October 2015 - regarding

The issue of extension of last date for e-filing returns of income and audit reports u/s 44AB due by 30th September, 2015 has been the subject matter of litigation in various High Courts across the country. While some High Courts have ruled in favour of the extension of due date, some others have ruled otherwise. In order to avoid discrimination between taxpayers residing in different jurisdictions and to be fair to all, and also in view of paucity of time to approach the Hon’ble Supreme Court by way of Special Leave Petition, the Government has decided that across the country, all the returns of income and audit reports u/s 44AB which were due for e-filing by 30th September, 2015, may now be filed by 31st October, 2015.

Necessary orderu/s 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 has been issued by CBDT in this regard.

(Shefali Shah)

Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax (OSD)

Official Spokesperson, CBDT

Extension of filing deadline for income tax returns and tax audit reports grants nationwide uniform filing relief under tax administration order. The Government authorised a nationwide extension of the electronic filing deadline for income tax returns and tax audit reports that were due by the original deadline, to avoid jurisdictional discrimination arising from divergent High Court rulings; an administrative order under the revenue statute implements the uniform extension and allows affected returns and audit reports to be filed by the extended date.