Responding to the appeal made by the All India Federation of Tax Practitioners (AIFTP), eastern zone, Mr T.K. Chatterjee, Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax, Kolkata, on Thursday issued orders that income tax offices throughout the State should remain open on Saturday and Sunday for accepting income tax and wealth tax returns.

Mr Narayan Jain, Vice-Chairman, AIFTP, said that the step by the department would help avoid the last day rush and inconvenience caused to taxpayers on March 31. It is also the last date for filing belated returns for the assessment year 2006-07.

Many assessees, said Mr Jain, will also file their returns for assessment year 2007-08 on March 31 to avoid penalty under Section 271F.