Income tax assessees will be allowed to file their returns in designated post offices across the country from Wednesday.

"About 2,000 post offices will now accept income tax returns and the taxpayer will not be required to come to the income tax office for filing his return. There will be no charge levied on the taxpayer if the returns are submitted in post offices," said the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairperson, Ms M.H. Kherawala on Monday.

She also said that returns would be accepted only in designated post offices within the area where the assessee is currently assessed and the CBDT will soon put out on its Web site the list of such designated post offices.

"The list of designated post offices can also be obtained from the Head Post office in the region, Aayakar Sampark Kendra or the Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax," Ms Kherawala said.

Details to be furnished

A taxpayer submitting his return in a post office would, however, be required to enclose his return in a 10-inch by 12-inch envelope (not to be sealed).

"We want the taxpayer to file his return in an envelope (nearly A-4 sized) to ensure the safety of annexures, if any. On the envelope, the assessee would have to give details such as name and address of the assessee, PAN, assessment year and ward/circle where his assessment is made," she said.

The CBDT Chairperson also maintained that the CBDT's tie-up with postal department (for accepting income-tax returns) would be a long-lasting one and not for the current year alone.

She, however, declined to elaborate on the terms of agreement between the two departments for providing this facility to the taxpayer.