F No. 225/195/2016-ITA  II

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central  Board of Direct  Taxes

Central Board of Direct Taxes, vide order u/s 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 ('Act') dated 9th September,  2016, has extended the 'due date' for filing of income tax returns by the taxpayers whose accounts are audited  u/s 44AB and who are required to furnish the returns of income for Assessment Year 2016-17  by  30th September, 2016 as per  provisions of section 139(1) of the Act from 30th September, 2016 to 17th October, 2016. Clarifications are.now  being sought whether the said extension of 'due date'  would  also apply for  getting  the accounts audited  in accordance with  the  provision of section 44AB.

Section 44AB of the Act, stipulates that the accounts are to be got audited by an accountant and furnished in the prescribed manner before the 'specified date'. The 'specified date' under Explanation (ii) to that section has been defined to be the 'due date' for furnishing the return of income under sub section (1) of section 139. Therefore, the extended 'due date' as per CBDT order dated 9th September, 2016 would also apply for the purpose of section 44AB of the Act.