Division bench of Gujarat High Court directed CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxation) to decide the extension of filing Income Tax Returns and Tax Audit Reports for the annual year of 2020-21.
The court relied on the case of Vaghjibhai S. Bishnoi v. Income Tax Officer & Anr. (2013) and observed that the powers of CBDT should be exercised properly for the fiscal law administration and avoid undue hardship for the taxpayers. The order stated: “The purpose is of just, proper and efficient management of the work of assessment and the public interest. One aspect that has to be kept in mind before taking any decision is that the time period for the officials of the tax department has been extended till 30th March 2021 taking into the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in mind. If that be so, then some extension deserves to be considered in accordance with the law. Let an appropriate decision be taken by 12th January 2021.”
