Check I-T return status before December 31 to ensure tax compliance

MUMBAI: Tax payers should check their income tax return (ITR) status with the Central Processing Centre (CPC) before 31 December to ensure tax compliance. If the CPC has not acknowledged an individual’s IT return then a tax payer has to resend the income tax return (ITR) by speed post again.

To check the status of the ITR, the tax payer can download the acknowledgement from the Income-tax web portal (www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/login.do) by logging in through his/ her online account. The same will be available under "E-filing processing status" under the tab "My Account". “The receipt can also be checked by quoting the PAN and assessment year or by quoting the e-filing acknowledgement number on the 'ITR-V Receipt Status' tab under ‘Services’ section on the e-fling website,” says Vineet Agarwal, Director, KPMG, India.

In case, the acknowledgement is not available on the web portal as well, then the reason for non- availability will be displayed as the current status. “Some of the reasons could be: non-receipt of signed Form ITR V, receipt of damaged signed Form ITR -V etc,” says Sonu Iyer, Partner & National Leader, Human Capital, Ernst&Young.

In such a case, a tax payer has to resend the ITR to the CPC before December 31. If tax payers had sent the earlier ITR via speed post, it can be tracked with the tracking number assigned at the time of booking the speed post.

"Taxpayers can also call the CPC call center number 080-22546500 or 1800-425-2229 (toll free) and enquire about the status," says Sonu Iyer.

If the form has either not ben received by the CPC or rejected for some reason, the tax payer has to resend the ITR to CPC. If the same is not done, the ITR will be deemed invalid. The tax department sends an email or SMS acknowledging the receipt of the Income Tax Return (ITR).

Every tax payer should send the signed copy of ITR-V to the CPC through speed post or ordinary post within 120 days from the date of filing. Once the CPC receives ITR, it usually sends an email or a SMS acknowledging the ITR.