Delhi to have 264 counters for filing I-T returns

The income tax department said on Monday it would open 264 special counters from July 21-31 in New Delhi and national capital territory region, to accept returns from individual taxpayers.

"The income tax department would set up 264 special counters to receive income tax returns at Mayur Bhawan and Pragati Maidan for the benefit of taxpayers," Income Tax Delhi Circle-I chief commissioner Meenakshi Singh told reporters.

The Mayur Bhawan counters will be operational from July 21-23 and from July 26-27, while the Pragati Maidan counters will be open from July 28-31.

She further the department expects to receive over 5 lakh returns in these two camps compared to 4,50,000 last year. The last day for filing returns is July 31.

"I advice the public not be wait for the last day (July 31) to file their returns. . .Help desks will be available to help taxpayers fill in their returns and guide them to the correct counters," she added.

To make filing of returns easier for senior citizens and differently-abled persons, separate counters will be made available to them, she said, adding electronically filed returns should be sent by ordinary post to the department's centrallised processing centre in Bengaluru.

To ensure that taxpayers receive their refunds quickly, they should mention the Permanent Account Number, complete postal address for correspondence, bank account number, Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) code (the 9-digit number given at the bottom right side of cheque book) and tax deduction account number of the employer or tax deductor.

She said it takes around nine months for processing and getting refunds.