GUWAHATI, March 23 - The State unit of the All India Professionals� Congress (AIPC) today called upon the government to extend the date for filing income tax returns in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. �In view of COVID-19, the world economy has come to a standstill. India is also facing the problem and is in a crucial phase right now, which is evident from the lockdowns called by almost 100 cities and around 15 States in the country. The country is caught with this pandemic in the crucial month of March when the entire country closes its business year. Further, the deadlines for many schemes are also ending in March, which needs urgent deferment and/or relaxation,� said Gauravv Somani, AIPC State unit president. He said that GSTR 3B return filing date must be deferred to at least April 30 for the month of March.
�Similar relaxation must be given for April as well or till such month up to which the situation becomes normal. GST Portal must not block any GST dealers from generation of e-way bill for non-submission of return from December 2019 onwards till the situation comes under some control. Ideally it should be so designed now that e-way bills do not get blocked till April 30. This holds particularly relevant for essential commodities and dealers of food stuff, medicines and logistical services,� he added.
AIPC was also called for extension of the last date for submission of delayed income tax return for 2019-20 assessment year to April 30 as against March 31 as an immediate measure.
�Similarly, the last date of revising the income tax returns for assessment year 2019-20, which also falls on March 31, must be extended by at least a month. The government must consider all payments related to tax savings and important March planning payouts like life insurance premiums, PPF deposits, NSCs and similar payments made even after March 31, but before April 30 to be eligible for tax benefits. All other statutory payouts like TDS, GST, PF, ESI payments must be suitably accommodated in subsequent month and considered as having been deposited in time for acts and purposes,� said Somani.
