Last date for filing ITR is today, no extension, says I-T Department; hurry up to avoid paying a fine or worse, end up in jail

Have not filed your Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the financial year 2018-19 yet? Time to hurry up as the deadline ends today (Saturday).

Contrary to fake reports that the government will extend the deadline for filing the ITR, the Income Tax Department has clarified that the last date is 31 August.

. @IncomeTaxIndia : An order is being circulated on social media pertaining to extension of due date for filing of IT Returns. It is categorically stated that the said order is not genuine. Taxpayers are advised to file Returns within extended due date of 31 August, 2019. pic.twitter.com/DTyT7R8wgS

— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) August 30, 2019

Earlier, the deadline was 31 July and it was extended to 31 August after the taxpayers faced multiple problems in filing ITR by 31 July.

All registered taxpayers must file ITR every year.

Who should file Income Tax Returns

The government mandates that individuals who earn an annual income of over Rs 2,50,000 must file a tax return before the deadline of 31 August.

If you want to file ITR though you earn less than the prescribed level of income, you can do so voluntarily.

Documents required for filing ITR

a) PAN

b) Aadhaar

c) Bank account details

d) Form 16  (It is a certificate issued by an employer which has all the details of how much tax the employer deducted from the salary of the employee and when it was submitted to the Income Tax Department)

e) Investments details

How to file ITR

1. Login with all the documents (mentioned above) required for ITR

2. Enter your personal information

3. Enter your salary details

4. Enter details for claiming deduction

5. Enter details of taxes paid

6. e-File your ITR

7. E-Verify

What are the various ITR forms?

ITR-1 SAHAJ

For individuals having total income from salaries, house/property, other sources up to Rs 50 lakh; and agricultural income up to Rs 5,000

ITR-2

For individuals and Hindu Undivided Family (HUFs) not having income from profits and gains of business or profession

ITR-3

For individuals and HUFs having income from profits and gains of business or profession. If the turnover of the business mentioned exceeds Rs 2 crores, the taxpayer will have to file ITR-3.

ITR-4 Sugam

For those taxpayers, who have opted for the presumptive income scheme as per Section 44AD, Section 44ADA and Section 44AE of the Income Tax Act.

ITR-5

For firms, LLPs, AOPs (Association of persons) and BOIs (Body of Individuals), Artificial Juridical Person (AJP), Estate of deceased, Estate of insolvent, Business trust and investment fund

ITR-6

For Companies other than companies claiming an exemption under section 11 must furnish their income tax return in ITR-6 Form. Companies claiming an exemption under section 11 are those whose income from the property is held for charitable or religious purposes.

ITR-7

For persons including companies under sections 139(4A) or 139(4B) or 139(4C) or 139(4D) only

What happens if you file your ITR late?

You will have to pay a late fee of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 if ITR is not filed by 31 August.

What happens if you do not file your ITR?

You may face a jail term from three months to two years for not filing your ITR. If the income tax dues are over Rs 25 lakh, you could end up with a jail term of up to 7 years.

Read other ITR stories here