Tax payers whose returns are required to get audited for financial year 2016-17 have just a few hours in hand to file their returns as the deadline ends at midnight today. The government has extended the deadline to file income tax returns for such tax payers October 31.

"The 'due-date' for filing Income Tax Returns and various reports of audit prescribed under the Income-tax Act,1961 has been extended from 30th September, 2017 to 31st October, 2017 for all taxpayers who were liable to file their Income Tax Returns by 30th September, 2017," Ministry of Finance said.

This time tax payers will have to quote their 12-digit Aadhaar number or the 28-digit Aadhaar enrolment number while filing the income tax return.
Ministry of Finance ?@FinMinIndia
Due-date for filing Income Tax Returns & various reports of audit prescribed under the IT Act,1961 has been extended to October 31, 2017.
7:35 PM - 31 Aug 2017
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Avoiding common mistakes, while filing your return, is important to remain at peace with the Income Tax Department.
Here's a list of five common mistakes that should be taken care of while filing ITR:
1.) Furnishing incorrect personal details
Always provide all your personal details such as PAN, e-mail ID, contact number, bank account number and IFSC correctly to avoid rejection of your ITR filing.
In case you provide a wrong PAN, the IT department will reject your e-filing as there will be a data mismatch (your details and the details generated by the wrong PAN will differ).

Also, if you do not provide the exact mobile number and e-mail address, it will lead to incomplete e-filing as the one-time password (OTP) and any other communication will be done through your registered contact details only.

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2.) Filing wrong ITR form
Using the wrong type of ITR is one of the most common mistakes. If you earn income from salary only, you should file your return in Form ITR 1 (Sahaj). Similarly, if you are running a departmental store in a proprietary business, you need to file your return in ITR 3 or ITR 4 (for FY 2016-17).
The form numbers of ITR have been changed by the Income Tax Department for FY2016-17 filing and are given on the department website incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. You may read the instructions carefully before filing.
3.) Not claiming deduction under appropriate section
Deductions are very vital to reduce your tax liability. The government has given numerous deductions under section 80, including deductions for contribution in PPF account, deductions for expenditure on disabled persons and contributions to a charitable trust.
Ensure that you have claimed all the deductions allowed under various sections of I-T Act that you are eligible for. For example, it is incorrect to claim employer's contribution to the EPF under section 80C while the principal repaid for housing loan falls under section 80C.
Always include the deductions that you are allowed in the ITR. If you do not claim them while filing your taxes, the department will not allow the same.
4.) List all sources of income including interest income
It is always better to identify your sources of income under different heads. Under the I-T Act, all incomes earned by persons are classified into five different heads, such as income from salary, income from house property, income from business or profession, income from capital gains, and income from other sources. You should identify all your incomes from different sources, just to ensure that you haven't missed out something while filing your return.

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Many taxpayers do not report interest income in returns thinking that since the tax has already been deducted by the bank. But even though TDS has been deducted on any of your income, it has to be disclosed in your return.

5.) E-verify your returns
The process of tax filing is complete only when you verify it. When you submit the return, you receive the ITR-V (acknowledgement) on your registered email address, which you need to verify.
The most basic way to do this is to take a print-out, sign it and send it to the tax department’s centre in Bengaluru, through ordinary or speed post within 120 days of filing the ITR.