Last Updated on February 6, 2025 at 10:36 am
Previously, taxpayers could file belated returns up to two years from the end of the relevant assessment year without incurring any penalties other than interest, except that these returns did not allow carry forward of losses. The period for filing belated returns was reduced to one year and then further restricted to the end of the AY.
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Later, with the introduction of fees u/s 234F, late filing became costlier. The deadline for belated returns was further reduced to 31st December of the AY. Updated returns u/s 139(8A) were introduced to encourage voluntary compliance and generate additional revenue. These could be filed within 24 months from the end of the AY, with an additional tax liability under Section 140B, and other conditions, with rates varying based on the timing of filing.
Amendment in Budget 2025:
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In the Budget 2025, the filing window for updated returns under Section 139(8A) was extended from 24 months to 48 months from the end of the relevant AY. The amendment also revised the rates of additional tax payable under Section 140B. The new rates are as follows:
- Within 12 months from end of AY: Additional tax at 25% of the aggregate of tax and interest payable.
- After 12 months but before 24 months: Additional tax at 50%.
- After 24 months but before 36 months: Additional tax at 60%.
- After 36 months but before 48 months: Additional tax at 70%.
Here is a matrix of due dates of filing returns for different years:
The greyed-out columns are time-barred. For FY 2020-21, updated returns with 60% additional tax, i.e., after 24 months but before 36 months, cannot be filed due to an interesting condition. The period for filing updated returns before the amendment (24 months) ended on 31-03-2024. With the new amendment, the returns can be filed with 60% additional tax till 31st March 2025. But the new amendments will take effect only from 1st April 2025. So, for that AY alone, one has to wait till 1st April 2025 and file with additional 70% tax. Note that all other conditions for filing updated returns remain the same.
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