CBDT extends time limit for processing Non-scrutiny Income tax Returns for AYs 2018-19 to 2020-21
The CBDT issued Order vide F. No.225/132/2023/ITA-II dated December 01, 2023 regarding the processing of returns of income validly filed electronically with refund claims under section 143(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (“the IT Act”) beyond the prescribed time limits in non-scrutiny cases.
It has been brought to the notice of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (`Board’) that due to certain technical issues or for other reasons not attributable to the assessees concerned, several returns for assessment years (AYs) 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, which were otherwise filed validly under section 139 or 142(1) or 119 of the Income tax Act, 1961 (`Act’) could not be processed under sub-section (1) of section 143 of the Act. Consequently, intimation regarding processing of such returns could not be sent within the timeframe prescribed under sub-section (1) of section 143 of the Act. This has led to a situation where the taxpayers are unable to get their legitimate refund in accordance with provisions of the Act, although the delay may not be attributable to them.
To resolve the grievances of such taxpayers, the Board had earlier issued instructions/orders u/s 119 of the Act from time to time relaxing the prescribed statutory time limit for processing of such validly filed returns with refund claims in non-scrutiny cases. As per the latest order dated October 16, 2023, time frame was given till January 31, 2024 to process returns of income validly filed electronically with refund claims upto AY 2017-18.
The matter has been considered by the Board in view of pending grievances of taxpayers related to issue of refund for AYs 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. To mitigate genuine hardship being faced by the taxpayers on this issue, the Board, by virtue of powers vested with it under section 119 of the Act, hereby relaxes the timeframe prescribed in second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 143 and directs that all returns of income validly filed electronically with refund claims for AYs 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, for which date of sending intimation under sub-section (1) of section 143 of the Act has lapsed, subject to the exceptions mentioned in para 5 below, can be processed now with prior administrative approval of Pr.CCIT/CCIT concerned. The intimation of such processing under sub-section (1) of section 143 of the Act can be sent to the assessee concerned by January 31, 2024.
All subsequent effects under the Act including issue of refund shall also follow as per the prescribed procedures. To ensure adequate safeguards, it has been decided that once administrative approval is accorded by the Pr.CCIT/CCIT, the Pr.CIT/CIT concerned would make a reference to the DGIT (Systems) to provide necessary enablement to the Assessing Officer on a case to case basis. The progress of disposal of such cases shall be monitored by the Pr.CIT/CIT concerned.
The relaxation accorded above shall not be applicable to the following returns:
a) returns selected in scrutiny;
b) returns remain unprocessed, where either demand is shown as payable in the return or is likely to arise after processing it;
c) returns remain unprocessed for any reason attributable to the assessee.