In certain cases where taxpayers were allowed to file income-tax returns belatedly after obtaining condonation of delay under Section 119(2)(b) of the Income-tax Act, those returns could not be processed in time due to technical issues. Consequently, refunds could not be issued, prompting multiple grievances.

To address these concerns, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has relaxed the time limit prescribed in the second proviso to Section 143(1). The relaxation applies to valid electronic returns filed on or before March 31, 2024, under a condonation order passed by the competent authority.

Key highlights:

• Such delayed returns can now be processed up to March 31, 2026, even if the original statutory time limit for sending intimation under Section 143(1) has lapsed.
• This relaxation does not apply to cases where assessment, reassessment, or recomputation proceedings have already been completed for the concerned assessment year.
• Refunds and interest, wherever applicable, shall be issued for eligible cases, except where PAN-Aadhaar is not linked, as per Circular No. 03/2023.

The DGIT (Systems), Bengaluru will lay down procedures for processing these returns to ensure timely intimation.