The government today extended the deadline for filing income tax returns and the audit report for financial year 2017-18 to Oct. 15. The CBDT had received representations from stakeholders seeking extension of the last date for filing of returns by taxpayers whose accounts have to be audited.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes extends the due date for filing of ITRs as well as reports of audit, which were needed to be filed by the said specified date, from Sept. 30, 2018 to Oct. 15, 2018 in respect of the said categories of taxpayers, the CBDT said in a statement.

Also Read: More Than 5.2 Crore Income Tax Returns Filed As Deadline Ends
However, there shall be no extension of the due date for the purpose of section 234A (Explanation 1) of the I-T Act, 1961 pertaining to interest for defaults in furnishing return, and the assessee shall remain liable for payment of interest as per provisions of section 234A of the act, it added.

As per data released by the CBDT earlier, ITR filing by salaried taxpayers and those opting for presumptive income scheme surged 71 percent to 5.42 crore till August 31. These categories of taxpayers had to furnish their ITRs for financial year 2017-18 by last month.