CBDT extends e-appeal filing deadline to June 15

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the time limit for e-filing of the first appeal before a tax officer by a month to June 15 after taking cognisance of complaints made by taxpayers in complying with the exercise. 

“The matter has been examined by the Board (CBDT). While the underlying issues relating to e-filing of appeals have since been addressed and resolved, in order to mitigate any inconvenience caused to the taxpayers on account of the new requirement of mandatory e-filing appeals, it has been decided to extend the time limit for filing such e-appeals.

“E-appeals which were due to be filed by May 15, 2016, can be filed up to June 15, 2016. All e-appeals filed within this extended period would be treated as appeals filed in time,” a circular issued in this regard by the CBDT said.

The circular said the Central Board of Direct Taxes was informed that taxpayers were not able to file the said Form-35 “due to lack of knowledge about e-filing procedure and/or technical issues in e-filing.”

The issue pertains to the filing of appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeal) forum by an assessee and those taxpayers who file e-returns are eligible to use this new facility, activated for the first time by CBDT in order to reduce hassles and begin paperless appeal mechanism.