Income-tax return is a legal
document and it should be filed by the assessee with due care and
caution. There should be no corrections or overwriting and it should be
properly signed and verified by the person authorized to do so under the
provisions of the Income-tax Act. The following important points may be
taken care of while filling up the return forms:
Assessment year to which New Forms are applicable:
The
new ITRs notified are applicable for the assessment years 2012-13
onwards only, for return of income relating to earlier assessment years
return is to be furnished in the appropriate form as applicable in that
assessment year. Each assessee has to identify the correct ITR Form
applicable in its case before filing the return of Income.
No enclosures to the return:
Rule
12(2) of the I.T Rules provides that the return of income and return of
fringe benefits required to be furnished in Form No. ITR-1, ITR-2,
ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6, or ITR-7 shall not be accompanied by a
statement showing the computation of tax payable on the basis of return,
or proof of tax, if any, claimed deducted or collected at source or the
advance tax or tax on self assessment, if any, claimed to have been
paid or any document or copy of any account or form or report of audit
required to be attached with the return of income or return of fringe
benefits under any provisions of the Act.
For timely delivery of refunds, ensure correct address and account number on your Return of Income:
From
1.10.07 onwards, all income tax refunds in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi,
Kolkata and Mumbai will be delivered by the Refund Banker directly at
the communication address mentioned on the Return of Income. Taxpayers
are requested to fill in the correct address (available during working
hours for delivery) to ensure speedy delivery of refunds. In the case of
taxpayers who opt for refunds through ECS, it will be credited directly
to the bank account for which correct MICR code/ Bank Account Number
has to be furnished on the Return.
Manner of filing the new Forms :
These Forms can be submitted in the following manner:
- a paper form;
- e-filing
- a bar-coded paper return.
Returns
can be e-filed through the internet. E-filing of return is mandatory
for companies and firms requiring statutory audit u/s 44AB. E-filing can
be done with or without digital signaturea):
- If the returns are filed using digital signature, then no further action is required from the tax payers.
- If
the returns are filed without using digital signature, then the tax
payers have to file ITR-V with the department within 15 days of
e-filing.
- The tax payers can e-file the returns through an
e-intermediary who would e-file and assist him in filing of ITR-V within
15 days.
Where the form is furnished by using bar coded
paper return then the tax payers need to print two copies of Form ITR-V.
Both copies should be verified and submitted. The receiving official
shall return one copy after affixing the stamp and seal.
Filling out acknowledgement:
Where
the return is furnished in paper format, acknowledgement slip attached
with the return should be duly filled in. The new forms are not required
to be filed in duplicate.
Intimation of processing under section 143(1):
The
acknowledgement of the return is deemed to be the intimation of
processing under section 143(1). No separate intimation will be sent to
the taxpayer unless there is a demand or refund.
Furnishing details of high value transactions:
In
the return the details of high value transactions need to be
compulsorily stated, which are ordinarily reported through the annual
information return (AIR) and these details are cross checked and matched
with the data in the AIR.
Filing your return through Tax Return Preparers (TRPs):
If
you are an individual or an HUF assessee and you are not required to
get your accounts audited (called ‘eligible person’) under the
provisions of the Income Tax Act, then you can use the services of a Tax
Return Preparer (TRP). However, if the ‘eligible person’ is not a
resident in India during the previous year relevant to such assessment
year, he can not avail of the services of a TRP.
If you are filing your returns through a TRP then you should ensure that:
- You are eligible to file return of Income under this Scheme;
- You give your consent to any Tax Return Preparer to prepare your return of income for any assessment year;
- You verify that the facts mentioned in the return are true and correct before you sign the return;
- You
certify the amount which has been paid by you under this Scheme to the
Tax Return Preparer for preparing and furnishing of the return of
income; and
- You take a receipt of the payment made to the Tax
Return Preparer and produce the same before the Resource Centre or
Assessing Officer, if required,
Incentive to Tax Return Preparers:
The
Tax Return Preparer shall charge a fee of two hundred and fifty rupees
for any assessment year from the eligible person for preparing and
furnishing his return of income for that assessment year:
Provided
that he will charge no fees for preparing and furnishing the return for
any eligible assessment year if the amount disbursable to him as per
the scheme notified by the government for that eligible assessment year
exceeds two hundred and fifty rupees. If the amount disbursable is less
than two hundred and fifty rupees, we can charge the difference between
rupees two hundred fifty and the amount disbursable.
Verification:
The
verification must be signed by the authorized person before furnishing
the return and the name and designation of the person signing the return
should also be written. Any person making false statement is liable to
be prosecuted under section 277 of the Act.
