The process of electronically filing Income tax returns through the internet is known as e-filing and is meant to ensure saving of time and paperwork for taxpayers. It is mandatory for companies and Firms requiring statutory audit u/s 44AB to submit the Income tax returns electronically for AY 2009-10. E-filing is possible with or without digital signature.
There are three ways to file returns electronically.
- Option 1: Use digital signature, in which case no further action is required.
- Option 2: File without digital signature, in which case ITR-V form is to be filed with the department. This is a single page receipt cum verification form.
- Option 3: File through an e-return intermediary who would do eFiling and also assist the Assessee file the ITR -V Form.
In option 2 & option 3 Assessee need to file Acknowledgement of IT duly signed by him within 60 days from the return filing date or September 30, whichever is later at central processing center of Income Tax department situated by ordinary post at Post Bag No.1, Electronic City Post Office, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560100. Now there is some relief for people looking at this route for filing their returns, but this could well turn out to be temporary.
PROCESS
The e-return filing process starts with the taxpayer filling in various details using the software provided by the tax department. The file, along with the necessary data relating to the income, is then transmitted online to the tax authorities and an acknowledgement-cum-verification form is generated. The physical process starts after this for a lot of people. Since the return is filled in online, this requires a digital signature. In case of a physical return, the taxpayer will sign the return form and then present it but this is not possible online, so the authentication is done through the digital signature route.
But, every person and especially small taxpayers do not have a digital signature and for those who do not, this there is an additional action to complete the process. These taxpayers have to send the physical copy of the acknowledgement to the tax authorities within a specified period of time, in a specific manner. If this is not done, then it will be considered that the payer has not filed the tax return. So, a slip at this stage can render the entire process worthless.
PROBLEMS IN THE PROCESS
Certain problems arise in the physical process of sending across the copy of the acknowledgement. This happens due to a few factors. The first thing is that the copy has to be sent only to the Bangalore office address of the department that has been specified. If sent to any other office, it will not be valid. And, sent by ordinary post only; speed post, registered post or courier is not allowed. If sent through these other modes, the return will not be accepted. Which means the taxpayer has no proof that the post has actually reached the tax department, which causes worry. The time allowed for the taxpayer originally was 30 days from the day of filing the return details online.
CHANGE IMPACT
A change has been announced by the tax department and this deals with the time allowed for sending the copy to them. This applies for all the returns filed electronically after April 1. For all these returns, the copy of the acknowledgement has to be received by the tax department within 60 days from the return filing date or September 30, whichever is later.
This means the period for receipt of the copy has now been increased to at least 60 days. For a person filing the e-return on August 20, the limit will be 60 days after this, while for someone filing the return on July 15, the limit will be September 30. This gives a slightly longer time period for completing the requirement and helps on the worry if the copy gets delayed in the post. For those who have already filed their returns online, this change is also important, given the extension of the time limit.
The relief available could well turn out to be temporary, as the other issues on loss of receipt in transit and absence of knowledge as to whether the acknowledgement has reached does not go away. Further, the physical copy still has to be sent to Bangalore and not at the regional or other centre. For many, these issues will play a pivotal role in their final decision.
how can i get the copy od acknowledgement receipt i.e.on which webs it and how. for the asst year 2010-11. i have not found any command for this purpose.please help
how can i get the copy od acknowledgement receipti.e.on which websiteand how. for the asst year 2010-11
The IT department should try to make the process as trasnparent as possible.
I had called up the ITD-CPC and got to know that the acknowledgement of reciept of ITR-V from IT department is sent on your mail id and this is the last step.
The reciept does not require any signature or stamp.
We have sent ITR-V to Banglore but in same, email id is misspelled. In this case, how can we receive the email acknowledgement of receipt of return at Banglore??
During the month of August 2009 not even a single E-filing acknowledgement has been received for ITR-V sent by ordinary post. When we enquire through phone in Bangalore, we have been asked to resend the ITR-V once again by ordinary post. How many times we have to send this and what is the proof of receiving at their end? CBDT should immediately provide a reply. We chartered accountants like to know whether e-filing is discouraged by making lot of confusions in receiving just the acknowledgement of having filed the return.
The requirement of sending returns to Bangalore by ordinary post is not at all fair. The assessee can do nothing if the ITR is lost in transit or misplaced at CPC. Instead, the IT Department should receive these ITR at local offices and issue acknowledgements as done till last year and then send the ITRs to CPC through internal arrangements. This will save the assessee from avoidable tension, specially those filing returns of loss. This issue needs to be taken up with CBDT & Finance Ministry.
This is actually a question as I do not know how to send question on TAX GURU (can anybody suggest)?
The question is regarding advance tax to be paid in Seotember, December & March. What is the exact procedure for this? I guess ITR-V comes into picture while filing return & not while paying advance tax?