Income tax offices to remain open on March 29 to 31 for return filing
Income Tax offices and Ayakar Seva Kendras (ASKs) will remain open during the March 29- 31 holidays to facilitate taxpayers in filing returns before the end of the current financial year. The last date for filing belated returns for Assessment Years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and revised returns for Assessment Year 2016-17 is March 31, 2018.
“To facilitate filing of Income Tax returns and completion of associated work, all income tax offices throughout India shall remain open from March 29-31, 2018,” a finance ministry statement said.
While March 29 and March 30 are government holidays on account of Mahavir Jayanti and Good Friday respectively, March 31, the last day of 2017-18 financial year, is a Saturday. Banks too will be shut from March 29-30.
In a notification under section 119(1) of the Income Tax Act, dated 26th March 2018, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has said that “the last date for filing belated returns for assessment years 2016-17 and 2017-18 and revised returns for assessment year 2016-17 is 31st March, 2018. The Financial Year 2017-18 closes on 31st March, 2018 which is Saturday. 29th & 30th March, 2018 are also closed holidays.”
However, to facilitate the filing of ITR as well as completion of the pending works of the I-T Department, all I-T offices across India will remain open on 29, 30 and 31 March, 2018. Moreover, the ASK (Aaykar Sampark Kendra) Centers will also remain open on these days.
Not only this, the I-T Department may also make special arrangements on these days – if needed – to facilitate the filing of tax returns by taxpayers.
