The Hindu : National : IT returns facility at post offices withdrawn

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 27, 2007
ePaper

National

National

IT returns facility at post offices withdrawn

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Even as income-tax assessees have been filing their returns through post offices this year too, to meet the July 31 deadline, the Centre on Thursday announced withdrawal of the facility. However, the designated IT return counters will be operational on Saturday and Sunday also so as to ease the rush on the last day.

Last date

July 31 is the last date for filing returns for salaried individuals, self-employed and small enterprises with a turnover of less than Rs.40 lakh as also professionals with annual receipts of less than Rs.10 lakh a year.

An official statement here said, “The Department of Posts was authorised to receive returns of income in July 2006 as a one-time measure in view of circumstances prevailing at that time and this scheme has been discontinued.”

Last year, the facility through post offices was introduced under an extraordinary circumstance — threat of strike by income-tax employees. Another reason for the withdrawal, according to the authorities, is the fact that returns submitted through post offices last year did not contain PAN, the circle name and had a branch code number instead of the bank’s MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) code.

Special counters

To tackle the last-minute rush in Delhi, the IT Department will have special counters operational at the Pragati Maidan from Friday till Tuesday next week.

“We have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the tax payers in filing tax returns. Special counters will be set up at the Pragati Maidan and a help desk will assist them in case of any difficulties,” Chief Commissioner Income Tax (Delhi) Prasanta Ray told newspersons here. The counters would be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a free shuttle service would also be available to ferry tax payers.

These apart, IT returns would also be accepted at the Central Revenue Building, Vikas Bhavan, and at the ‘drum-shaped’ building of the department near the ITO. Separate counters and help desks would be there to assist senior citizens to file their returns. Licensed tax return preparers (TRPs) would also be available for assisting taxpayers. During July 27-31, however, no returns would be accepted at the Mayur Bhavan. Mr. Ray reiterated that while filing the returns, details such as the PAN number, present postal address, bank account number and MICR code (nine-digit number on bottom right side of cheque book) must be completed correctly.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National