The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the "due date" for filing income tax returns to November 30 from the statutorily specified September 30 in certain cases.

This relief is being granted to all those assesses who are required to file their income tax return by September 30 and also get their accounts subjected to a tax audit.

This latest CBDT decision is in conformity with its August 20 move to extend the due date for furnishing of tax audit reports to November 30 from September 30.

While the tax audit report furnishing date was extended, there was no official word on extending the returns filing date. This had put assessees into practical difficulties.

Thanks to the Gujarat High Court and other High Courts directions, the CBDT has extended the due date for filing of income tax returns to November 30 in respect of tax audit cases.

However, the CBDT has clarified that there will be no extension of “due date” for the purpose of charging of interest under Section 234A of the income tax law for late filing of income tax returns.

For non-tax audit assessees, the due date for filing of income tax returns remains September 30.