Income Tax Return (ITR) filing important query answered: Should you attach documents with return of income?

Income Tax Return (ITR) filing 2018: The last date to file Income Tax Returns for the last financial year is not very far. However, several doubts remain in the minds of taxpayers. One of the most frequently asked questions is whether it is necessary to attach any document along with the return of income. 

The Income Tax department says no documents are necessary to be attached along with the return of income, except for those who are required to furnish a report under various sections of the IT Act. 

The department explains: "ITR return forms are attachment less forms and, hence, the taxpayer is not required to attach any document (like proof of investment, TDS certificates, etc.) along with the return of income (whether filed manually or filed electronically). However, these documents should be retained by the taxpayer and should be produced before the tax authorities when demanded in situations like assessment, inquiry, etc."

"As discussed above, no documents are to be attached along with the return of income, however, in case of a taxpayer who is required to furnish a report of audit under section 10(23C)(iv), 10(23C)(v), 10(23C)(vi), 10(23C)via),10A, 10AA, 12A(1)(b), 44AB, 44DA, 50B, 80-IA, 80-IB, 80-IC, 80-ID, 80JJAA, 80LA, 92E, 115JB or 115VW or to give a notice under section 11(2)(a) shall furnish it electronically on or before the date of filing the return of income."

In a big relief for taxpayers, the last date for filing the ITR was extended till August 31 by the government last month. Explaining the reason of the unexpected extension, Nangia Advisors LLP Partner Suraj Nangia had said, "The Income tax department addressed the concerns raised by the taxpayer and tax professionals regarding the legal, technical and practical difficulties faced while filing the Income-Tax return for AY 2018-19."

The taxpayers had raised several concerns, including delay in the release of ITR form utilities leading to shortage of time, continuous updation of the schema of ITR utilities leading to further delay, delay in updation of Form 26AS which reflects the TDS credit that is available at the time of ITR filing etc.