CBDT extends time-limit for processing non-scrutiny Income Tax Returns upto AY 2020-21 till April 30, 2024.

The CBDT has issued an Order dated January 31, 2024 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.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (Board) vide its orders under section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (Act) dated October 16, 2023 and December 01, 2023 on the captioned subject relaxed the time prescribed in second proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 143 of the Act. It was directed that all returns of income validly filed electronically up to Assessment Year 2020-21 with refund claims, which could not be processed under sub-section (1) of the Section 143 of the Act and which had become time-barred, should be processed by January 31, 2024, subject to the conditions/ exceptions specified therein.

The matter has been re-considered by Board in view of pending taxpayer grievances related to issue of refund. To mitigate the genuine hardship being faced by the taxpayers on this issue, Board, by virtue of its power under section 119 of the Act and in partial modification of its earlier orders under section 119 of the Act dated October 16, 2023 and December 01, 2023, supra, hereby further extends the time mentioned in the para no. 2 of these orders till April 30, 2024 in respect of returns of income validly filed electronically up to AY 2020-21. All other contents of the said orders u/s 119 of the Act will remain unchanged.

The Order can be accessed at: https://incometaxindia.gov.in/Lists/Latest%20News/Attachments/645/order-119-MiscComm-31-1-24.pdf