Returns filing date extended to Oct 31

But last day for the salaried and HUF remains July 31.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date of filing income tax and fringe benefit tax returns for non-corporate tax payers, including partners of firms, charitable trusts and institutions from July 31 to October 31.

However, the due date for individuals, salaried people and Hindu Undivided Families continues to be July 31.

The CBDT has mandated 2,000 post offices across the country to accept income tax returns free of cost from July 26.

The board has also notified new return forms "" 1 (for corporate tax payers), 2 (for non-corporate tax payers having business income), 3 (non-corporate with non-business income) and introduced a new Form, 3B, for filing fringe benefit returns.

Interestingly, Forms 2 and 3 contain Schedule 5 (or the cash flow statement) aswhich was introduced in the new Form 2F earlier this year.

Giving details about the filing of returns at post offices, CBDT Chairman M H Kherawala said, "People keen to file their returns at post offices will have to submit the documents in an envelope measuring 10x12 inches. The envelope should contain the Permanent Account Number (PAN), name and address of the assessee, the assessment year, the circle and ward, where the taxpayer is assessed."

Kherawala said people should file returns only at post offices located at places where they are assessed. "The post office will acknowledge the return and give a copy of the same to the taxpayer. The envelope containing the return will be sealed and accepted by the post office," she added.

Kherawala also said the filling of Schedule 5 in the return Forms 2 and 3 will be optional for the assessment year 2006-07.

Officials said the new forms were computer-friendly as they did not contain annexures such as the audit form and the tax deducted at source.

"No other forms will be attached with these new return forms," they said. While Form 1 and 2 are combined return of income and fringe benefit, a separate Form 3B has been notified for taxpayers who have already filed their returns and are liable to file only fringe benefit returns.

Kherawala said Form 1 has to be filed electronically. The requirement is optional for the new return Forms 2, 3 and 3B.