According to Hindustan times In a recent development, the Income Tax Department has addressed concerns regarding the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2023-24. Amidst rumors circulating on social media platforms, the department has clarified that the last date to file ITR remains unchanged at July 31, 2024.
The department issued a strong warning about fake news, stating that a clipping of a news article claiming the e-filing deadline has been extended to August 31 is false. Taxpayers are advised to rely solely on official announcements and updates from the Income Tax Department’s website and portal for accurate information.
Despite the ongoing technical issues faced by taxpayers and professionals while accessing the e-filing portal, the department has not indicated any plans to extend the July 31 deadline. As of July 22, 2024, over 4 crore ITRs have been filed, which is an increase of more than 8% compared to the same period last year.
The department has also alerted taxpayers about a concerning trend involving fraudulent activities in the form of fake tax refund scams. Criminals are using SMS and email platforms to falsely promise tax refunds as a means to unlawfully access individuals’ financial accounts. Taxpayers are strongly urged to exercise caution and authenticate all correspondence regarding tax refunds exclusively through reputable and verified official channels.
While various chartered accountant associations have raised concerns about the operational issues of the Income Tax Portal and updates in AIS/TIS, the department remains firm on the July 31 deadline.
The All Gujarat Federation of Tax Consultants and Income Tax Bar Association have collectively proposed an extension of the deadline to August 31, 2024, citing technical difficulties.
In conclusion, the Income Tax Department has unequivocally stated that the last date to file ITR for FY2023-24 remains July 31, 2024. Taxpayers are advised to complete their filings as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute problems and to be cautious of fraudulent activities related to tax refunds.
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