Govt extends last date for filing I-T returns

The decision has been taken in view of the day-long strike at public sector banks

The last date for filing income-tax (I-T) returns has been extended to August 5.

Tax returns for 2015-16 (assessment year 2016-17) were originally to be filed by July 31. But in view of the day-long strike at public sector banks, the deadline has been extended to August 5. For Jammu and Kashmir, the deadline will be August 31 in view of the ongoing turmoil in the state.

“In view of Friday’s bank strike and disturbance in J&K, the due date of I-T return filing is being extended,” Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia tweeted on Friday. This extension is given to avoid any inconvenience to the taxpayers, while making payments pertaining to returns of income for assessment year 2016- 2017 by July 31, 2016, due to bank strike on July 29 and July 31 being a bank holiday, stated the finance ministry.