Centre Brings Taxation Ordinance Extending Last Date For Certain IT/GST Filings, Aadhaar-PAN Linkage Etc To June 30 [Read Ordinance]

The Ministry of Law and Justice has promulgated "The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation Of Certain Provisions) Ordinance 2020" to give effect to give effect to the announcements made by the Union Finance Minister on March 24, regarding several relief measures relating to statutory and regulatory compliance matters across sectors in view of COVID-19 outbreak

The Ordinance, which came into effect on March 31, provides for extension of various time limits under the Taxation and Benami Acts. It also provides for extension of time limits contained in the Rules or Notification which are prescribed/ issued under these Acts.

Some of the important features and time limits which get extended by this Ordinance are as under: -

Direct Taxes & Benami:

(i) Extension of last date of filing of original as well as revised income-tax returns for the FY 2018-19 (AY 2019-20) to 30th June, 2020.

(ii) Extension of Aadhaar-PAN linking date to 30th June, 2020.

(iii) The date for making various investment/payment for claiming deduction under Chapter-VIA-B of IT Act which includes Section 80C (LIC, PPF, NSC etc.), 80D (Mediclaim), 80G (Donations), etc. has been extended to 30th June, 2020. Hence the investment/payment can be made up to 30.06.2020 for claiming the deduction under these sections for FY 2019-20.

(iv) The date for making investment/construction/purchase for claiming roll over benefit/deduction in respect of capital gains under sections 54 to 54GB of the IT Act has also been extended to 30th June 2020. Therefore, the investment/ construction/purchase made up to 30.06.2020 shall be eligible for claiming deduction from capital gains arising during FY 2019-20.

(v) The date for commencement of operation for the SEZ units for claiming deduction under deduction 10AA of the IT Act has also extended to 30.06.2020 for the units which received necessary approval by 31.03.2020.

(vi) The date for passing of order or issuance of notice by the authorities under various direct taxes& Benami Law has also been extended to 30.06.2020.

(vii) It has provided that reduced rate of interest of 9% shall be charged for non-payment of Income-tax (e.g. advance tax, TDS, TCS) Equalization Levy, Securities Transaction Tax (STT), Commodities Transaction Tax (CTT) which are due for payment from 20.03.2020 to 29.06.2020 if they are paid by 30.06.2020. Further, no penalty/prosecution shall be initiated for these non-payments.

(viii) Under Vivad se Vishwas Scheme, the date has also been extended up to 30.06.2020. Hence, declaration and payment under the Scheme can be made up to 30.06.2020 without additional payment.

Indirect Taxes:

(i) Last date of furnishing of the Central Excise returns due in March, April and May 2020 has been extended to 30th June,2020.

(ii) Wherever the last date for filing of appeal, refund applications etc., under the Central Excise Act, 1944 and rules made thereunder is from 20th March 2020 to 29th June 2020, the same has been extended to 30th June 2020.

(iii) Wherever the last date for filing of appeal, refund applications etc., under the Customs Act, 1962 and rules made thereunder is from 20th March 2020 to 29th June 2020, the same has been extended to 30th June 2020.

(iv) Wherever the last date for filing of appeal etc., relating to Service Tax is from 20th March 2020 to 29th June 2020, the same has been extended to 30th June 2020

(v) The date for making payment to avail of the benefit under Sabka Vishwas Legal Dispute Resolution Scheme 2019 has been extended to 30th June 2020 thus giving more time to taxpayers to get their disputes resolved.

In addition to the extension of time limits under the Taxation and Benami Acts as above, an enabling section has got inserted in the CGST Act, 2017 empowering the Government to extend due dates for various compliances inter-alia including statement of outward supplies, filing refund claims, filing appeals, etc. specified, prescribed or notified under the Act, on recommendations of the GST Council.

Further, it was clarified that donations made to the PM CARES Fund shall be eligible for 100% deduction under section 80G of the IT Act. The limit on deduction of 10% of gross income shall also not be applicable to donations made to the PM CARES Fund.

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