The Central Board of Direct Taxes has told the Gujarat High court that Physical filing of tax Audit Reports and Income Tax Return is not feasible.
A petition was filed by the Southern Gujarat Income Tax Bar Association seeking to submit physical copies of tax returns and audit reports. The petition also aims to extend the due date for filing tax returns and furnishing tax audit reports. And to not levy interest or penalty on belated filings owing to glitches in the tax e-portal. Last week, the due dates for filing of income tax returns and various reports of audit for the assessment year 2021-22 were extended by the tax department.
Various CA groups filed representations highlighting the difficulties faced in completing filings due to a spike in Covid cases and due to technical glitches in the income tax e-filing platform.
Senior Advocate Manish Bhatt, on behalf of CBDT, informed that unlike GST returns, physical filing of tax audit reports and income tax return would not be possible as the e-portal only captures digital figures.
Moreover, the portal has helpline numbers along with a multi-layered grievance cell. If any taxpayer is facing technical issues with the portal, they can always contact the helpline, he said.
However a bench headed by Justice JB Pardiwala stated, “But the helpline is not helping, that’s what the petitioners are saying”.
The Gujarat High Court said, “as a writ court, we are finding it difficult to tell the ministry to accept returns in manual (physical) form. It is a policy decision. Gujarat High Court”.
Support our journalism by subscribing to Taxscan AdFree. Follow us on Telegram for quick updates.
