Click to play videoNew Delhi: Just one day is left for filing the income tax returns and if someone does not want to stand in line for it then the best option is to file an e-return.
From this year, one can file the returns online without a digital signature or any other verification.
But there's a catch. The paper of the income tax payer which the Income Tax Department calls an ITR-Verification form has to reach the department's central processing unit in Bangalore within a month of filing the e-return.
But it can't be sent by hand, courier or speed post, just by ordinary post, which means there is no way of verifying if it's reached in time.
"The system is if we do not get the acknowledgement from the department we will have to file the return again and our previous return will be null and void. And we will be treated as a defaulter in filing the return. How will I justify that I have sent the acknowledgement within 30 days time," says tax expert Sanjeev Govil.
Even though the tax department that such a scenario is unlikely but acknowledges there could be a small percentage who face a problem.
"In 99 per cent cases they will receive an e-mail confirming or they will recieve an e-mail that their ITR-V has not reached. It is possible that one per cent cases may not get any communication in which case tax payers can send their ITR-V again. We have call centre too in CPC Bangalore," claims Central Board of Direct Taxes Spokesperson Shishir Jha.
The question is what if the taxpayer discovers the default after July 31? Does he then have to pay penalty for a delayed return?
Clearly, these loopholes need to be plugged to make e-filing a viable option.
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