The deadline for filing IT returns and Audit reports for AY 2021-22 are further extended

CBDT vide Circular No.17/2021 dated 09.09.2021 extended the deadline for filing Income Tax returns till December 31, 2021, given the coronavirus pandemic and persistent technical problems with its website.  Earlier in May 2021, the date was extended to September 30, 2021, from the original date end of July 2021 for the same reasons.

“On consideration of difficulties reported by the taxpayers and other stakeholders in the filing of Income Tax Returns and various reports of audit for the Assessment Year 2021-22 under the Income-tax Act, 1961(the “Act”), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has decided to further extend the due dates for filing of Income Tax Returns and various reports of audit for the Assessment Year 2021-22,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

“The due date of furnishing of Return of Income for the Assessment Year 2021-22, which was 31st July 2021 under sub-section (1) of section 139 of the Act, as extended to 30th September 2021 vide Circular No.9/2021 dated 20.05.2021, is hereby further extended to 31st December 2021,” it added.

The CBDT has also extended the ITR filing deadline for companies till February 15, 2022, from November 30, 2021.

The due date for filing the tax audit report and transfer pricing certificate has been extended to January 15, 2022, and January 31, 2022, respectively, from the existing deadline of October 31 and November 30, respectively.

For filing a belated or revised return of income, the last date has been extended by another two months to March 31, 2022.