The deadline for filing income tax returns has been extended from 31 July to 5 August.
Owing to the increase in the number of returns being filed online, the Indian government has decided to extend the deadline by five days.
"As a measure of taxpayers convenience, it has been decided to extend the due date of filing of returns from 31 July 2013 to 5 August 2013," the finance ministry said, according to Press Trust of India.
This year, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has made it mandatory for those who earn more than ₹5 lakh taxable income to file their income tax returns through electronic filing or e-filing. Following the notification, there has been a significant surge in the number of people filing their returns online.
Till 30 July, the number of income tax returns filed online stood at 92 lakh, which is 46.8 percent higher when compared with the returns filed electronically during the last financial year.
Meanwhile, the government has already extended the deadline till 31 October, 2013, for taxpayers in the flood-hit state of Uttarakhand. By exercising the powers conferred under section 119 of Income-tax Act, 1961, the CBDT announced the extension of the deadline till 31 October.
Those filing their returns online have to send the acknowledgement-cum-verification form, ITR-V, to the income tax department at the address - CPC, Post Bag No - 1, Electronic City Post Office, Bengaluru - 560100. The form has to be sent within 120 days of e-filing your return.
To learn how to file your tax returns electronically, click here.
You can also learn by watching the video posted below.
