Further Extension of due date of 31.08.2018 for ITR filing is surely in the anvil but for the announcement. 

Further Extension of due date of 31.08.2018 for income tax return filing for more flood affected States is surely in the anvil but for the announcement. 

Recently the CBDT extended due date for filing of Income Tax Returns for taxpayers in Kerala till 15th September, 2018. Earlier, it had earlier extended the ‘due date’ for filing of Income Tax Returns from 31st July, 2018 to 31st August, 2018 in respect of the categories of taxpayers who were liable to file their Income Tax Returns by 31st July, 2018.

The Income Tax Department is actively sending emails and showing advisory on its website that the last date is 31st August, 2018 and fine/penalty of Rs. 5000/- shall be levied for returns filed after 31st August  (other than Kerala).

However, it is notable that the reasons stated for the further extension in Kerala holds good for many States which are reeling under flood, namely, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat etc.

Therefore in all likelihood, a further extension for flood affected States/areas is surely in the anvil but for the announcement. 

Also, as stated earlier, in all probabilities, the Government would avoid the wrath of the salaried class for stringent provisions of late fee/penalty u/s 234F and hence further relaxation can be given in one or the other form.

However, it us very much advisable that assessees should not wait for an extension and file their returns as soon as possible.