Letter to BS: Fine on late filing of Income Tax returns is illogical, harsh

Effective April 1, 2018, Section 234F was inserted in the Income Tax Act. It deals with a “fee” for a default in furnishing return of income. As per this provision, income tax assessees, who fail to file their IT returns within the prescribed time, would have to pay a fee for default. The late fee is deducted automatically.

The provision is unmindful of the difficulties faced by senior citizens and the differently-abled. Further, it does not provide any leeway for the delay in filing IT returns due to genuine reasons such as sickness, chronic ailments, maternity, marriage, death in