Corona Crisis: Extend FY Closing Date To April 30, Plead Income Tax Officials

New Delhi: In wake of the coronavirus crisis, a section of income tax (IT) officials have suggested closing IT offices in the country till March 31 and extend the financial year closure date to April 30.

The Income Tax Officers’ Association made the appeal in a letter to the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), saying that it would ensure the safety of IT officials and staff from contracting COVID-19.

“Under the circumstances, to ensure safety and wellbeing of employees of Income Tax Department, your good-self is requested to kindly consider the option of directing the closure of Income Tax offices across the country till March 31, 2020 or any other date, as deemed fit, especially as our Department is not providing any essential service as far as health emergency is concerned,” the letter said.

The Association has also appealed to the CBDT to request the Union Finance Minister to consider the proposal for extending the FY date, the Tax Talk reported.

“There are provisions in the law for extension of time barring dates under the current situation. We think that such a decision would be the most appropriate in the larger public interest, considering the alarming effect due to spread of the said virus in other countries,” the letter added.