CBDT REVISING RETURN FORMS TO ENABLE TAXPAYERS AVAIL BENEFITS OF TIMELINE EXTENSION DUE TO COVID-19

Ministry of Finance

Posted On: 19 APR 2020 3:41PM by PIB Delhi

In order to enable income taxpayers to avail full benefits of various timeline extensions granted by the Government of India due to Covid-19 pandemic situations, the CBDT is revising the return forms for FY 2019-20 (Assessment Year 2020-21) which shall be notified by the end of this month.

CBDT today said that in order to facilitate taxpayer to avail full benefits with various timeline extension up to 30^th June 2020 granted by the government, it has initiated necessary changes in the return forms so that taxpayers could take benefits of their transactions carried out during the period from 1^st April 2020 to 30^th June 2020 in the return forms for FY 2019-20.

CBDT explained that the necessary modifications in the return forms are being made to allow taxpayers to avail the benefits of their investments/transactions made for the Apr-to-Jun 2020 period. Once the revised formsare notified, it will further necessitate the consequential changes in the software and return filing utility.Hence, the return filing utility after incorporating necessary changes shall be made available by 31^st May, 2020 to avail benefits for FY 2019-20.

CBDT said that due to outbreak of Covid-19, the Government has extended various timelines under the Income-tax Act,1961 vide Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation of certain provisions) Ordinance, 2020. Accordingly, the time for making investment/ payments for claiming deduction under Chapter-VIA-B of IT Act which includes Section 80C (LIC, PPF, NSC etc.), 80D (Mediclaim),80G (Donations), etc. for FY 2019-20 has also been extended to 30^thJune 2020. Also, the dates for making investment/construction/purchase for claiming roll over benefit in respect of capital gains under sections 54 to section 54GB has also been extended to 30^th June 2020. Therefore return forms are being revised to facilitate reporting of the transactions of the relief period.

It may be noted that generally the income-tax return forms are notified in the first week of April. This year also the e-filing utility for filing of return for Assessment Year 2020-21 was made available as on 1st April, 2020, and the Income-tax Return (ITR) Forms ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-4 (Sugam) for the FY 2019-20 (Assessment Year 2020-21),too, were already notified vide notification dated 3rd January, 2020. However, to ensure that the taxpayer is enabled to avail all benefits of the timeline extension due to Covid -19 pandemic, the Return Forms revision is being carried out.

RM/KMN  : 19.04.2020 (Release ID: 1616035) 

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INDIA POST DELIVERS MEDICINES URGENTLY TO CHILD SUFFERING FROM CANCER IN UNA

Ministry of Communications

Posted On: 19 APR 2020 6:16PM by PIB Delhi

India Post delivered medicines to an 8 year old girl from Una in Himachal Pradesh who was suffering from Cancer. Many of her regular medicines are difficult to purchase in Una and she gets these medicines from Delhi by courier. Shalini’s family contacted one of their friends in Delhi and requested him for help in getting the medicines from Delhi to Una.  Given the constraints of logistics due to lockdown, their family friend requested the Union Minister for Communications, Law & Justice and Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad for help.

Recently due to sudden lockdown to prevent spread of COVID19, Shalini’s stock of medicine was running out and she had medicines that would be suffice only till 19^th April 2020.

Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, promptly directed India Post to provide all possible logistical assistance for ensuring that the medicines are delivered to Shalini in Una before 19^th April. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Circles of India Post made a very well-coordinated effort to ensure that the medicines reach on time. Due to constraints of lockdown, the Punjab Circle of India Post made special arrangement for a postal motor van, which left Una and directly reached Shalini’s house in the morning of 19^th April.

A post man of India Post reached Shalini’s house before 12 noon on 19^th April to deliver the medicines. Shalini’s mother received these medicines at her house and profusely thanked India Post for coming to the rescue of her daughter. 

Upon learning that medicines have been delivered on time, Communications Minister tweeted expressing his delight that India Post is living upto the expectations of its people when the need it the most. He also wished the little girl Shalini the best of health and happiness.

It is noteworthy that Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has given directions to Department of Posts to ensure timely delivery of medicines, COVID19 related goods and other essential services.

RJ/NG (Release ID: 1616103)