As July 31, the last day to file income tax returns for most of the assessees draws closure, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has urged them to use e-filing facility for convenient and error-free services.

The e-Return Intermediaries (e-RIs) appointed by the Income Tax Department (ITD) can help taxpayers in filing their online returns. About 12 of them have been authorised to function in Uttar Pradesh. Their list is available on website of NSDL (www.tin-nsdl.com) and ITD (incometaxindia.gov.in). It is another matter that eRIs rate the scheme a lesser known one in the state.

The ITD had launched the scheme for improving interface with taxpayers. It allows authorised intermediaries to electronically file returns on behalf of taxpayers.

We can file returns for taxpayers in bulk using login and password given to us by department, said Vikas Kodesia, an authorised e-Return intermediary in Bareilly. The e-Return intermediaries have direct access to the server of ITD.
The taxpayers can also use the sites launched by the e-Return intermediaries to file their returns easily. e-Return intermediary could be a public sector company, firm of chartered accountants/company secretaries or advocates, Drawing or Disbursing Officer (DDO) of a government department, Tax Return Preparer (TRP), company secretary, CA or an advocate.

The ITD has not fixed any charges to be realised by intermediaries for offering their services. The consultation charges could vary between Rs 100 and 200. If there is a major compilation work, charges are fixed accordingly, said Manoj Kumar Pandey, an e-Return intermediary in Varanasi.

The scheme is available to all taxpayers (company, firm or individual) who are assessed or assessable to tax. By way of it taxpayers can file their returns from anywhere, anytime. The scheme is a centralised one. In a state like UP, however, it is still to get popular. People only want to get their returns filed, they are not worried about the channel used to file their returns, said Ishendra Pandey, an e-Return intermediary in Lucknow.

Meanwhile, ITD has been asked to make special arrangements by setting up additional counters from July 28 to 31 to facilitate taxpayers in filing their income tax returns. Taxpayers are advised to file their income tax returns early to avoid the last minute rush.

There are two dates for filing the returns this time, July 31 and September 30, 2010. Most of the returns will be filed by July 31, said Rohit Bhalla, chairman, Lucknow branch of Central India Regional Council, ICAI.
The corporate assesses who have their annual turnover more than Rs 40 lakh and professionals who have their income more than Rs 10 lakh can file their returns till September 30, 2010.

CBDT has directed ITD to make arrangements for receiving income tax returns on July 31, 2010. It is the due date for filing tax returns by most taxpayers except those liable for tax audit and corporate assesses.