Paresh SardaUpdated income tax return (ITR-U)
Till last few years income tax return were allowed to be filed or revised for last 2 to 3 years. In past it was common that people would revise their ITR for last few years if they observed any discrepancy. Subsequently, this period was reduced and income tax return could be filed within one year only. For example FY 20-21's ITR can be filed till 31st March 2022. And revision in income tax return was also allowed till aforesaid time limit.
Later on, it was noted that the tax litigation was increasing due to incomes not considered in the income tax return. To reduce tax litigation, the income tax department has come up with a new form. In this form the taxpayer can voluntarily declare an income which was not shown or incorrectly shown in previously filed ITR. This form is ITR-U.
What is the new ITR form?
In the new form, ITR-U, the taxpayer will need to provide the exact reason for filing the updated income tax return (ITR) and the amount of income liable to tax. However, they will not be required to provide a break-up of that income.
When would taxpayers need to file ITR-U?
Cases in Which ITR-U Can be Filed:
Return Previously not filed
Income not reported correctly
Wrong Heads of Income Chosen
Reduction of Carried forward losses
Reduction of unabsorbed Depreciation
Reduction of Tax Credit u/s 115JB/115JC
Wrong rate of tax
Cases in which ITR-U Form Can NOT be filed:
NIL Return
Loss Return
Increase in Refund/Claiming of Refund
Search/Survey/Prosecution Proceedings are Initiated for said A.Y.
Assessment/Reassessment/Revision/Recomputation is Pending or Completed for Said A.Y.
Late fees and Additional Fees will also be Charged
Challan Details (Additional Payment) dealt Under Section 140B
What is the period during which ITR-U can be filed?
ITR-U will be available for filing updated tax returns for FY 2019-20 onwards.
ITR-U can be filed within two years from the end of the relevant assessment year. For Example FY 2019-20's ITR U can be filed till 31st March 2023 and so on.
How many times can a taxpayer update their income tax return in an assessment year?
Taxpayers will be allowed to file only one such correction (updated return) per assessment year.
Government Approach
The government is attempting to furnish an opportunity to the assessee to reveal their income which is omitted to be shown previously while on the other side it would generate more revenue for the government. This would optimize the compliance to the assessee in a litigation-free environment.
Under what circumstances is ITR-U unavailable to the taxpayer?
If a prosecution proceeding is initiated by issuing notice for a particular assessment year, the taxpayer cannot file ITR-U for that particular year.
How to Calculate Income Tax Updated Return via Simple Process?
Section 140B of the Income Tax Act 1961 provides the procedure to calculate income tax on an updated return.
Payable Tax + Interest + Payable fees for non-filing of Income Tax (if any) + Payable amount as Additional Tax (For taking benefit of Section 139(8A)
= Total Income Tax Liability.
Total Income Tax Liability (from above) – TDS/TCS/Advance Tax/Tax Relief etc.
= Net Tax Liability u/s 140B
Additional Interest Payment:
To avail the benefit of section 139(8A), the assessee is required to pay additional tax computed as under:
S.No. | Particulars | Rate of Interest |
1 | If Updated ITR is filed Within 12 Months From end of Relevant A. Y. | 25% |
2 | If Updated ITR is filed After 12 Months But before 24 Months From end of Relevant A. Y. | 50% |
If a taxpayer files an updated return but does not pay the additional taxes, the return will be considered invalid.
Steps to File ITR-U (Income Tax Updated Return) Form
Part A: General Information-139(8A)
PAN
Name
Aadhaar Number
Assessment Year
Whether return previously filed for this assessment year? (Yes/No)
If yes, whether filed u/s 139(1) OR Others
If applicable, enter form filed, Acknowledgement no. or Receipt No. and Date of filing the original return (DD/MM/YYYY)