Interest under section 234A For A.Y. 2020-21 for non-filing of Income Tax Return

• January 13, 2021
• CA Chandan Agarwal's Office

Any assessee who has tax payable and don’t file his/her Income Tax Return within the due date specified u/s 139(1) is liable to pay interest u/s 234A.

Meaning of Due Date U/s 139(1)

• Non Audit Cases : 31st July
• Audit Cases : 31st Oct,

Due to Covid 19 CBDT on 24th June 2020 extended the due dates for filing of Income Tax Return up to 30th Nov 2020 (For Both Audit and Non Audit Cases) wide Notification No.35 /2020/ F. No. 370142/23/2020-TPL.

Thereafter on 24th Oct 2020, CBDT further extended due dates to 31st Dec 2020(Non Audit) and 31st Jan 2021(Audit Case).

Thereafter on 30th Dec 2020, CBDT further extended due dates to 10th Jan 2021(Non Audit) and 15th Feb 2021(Audit Case)

Tax Payable = Tax On Total Income-TDS & Relief U/s 89/90/90A

So clear reading of section 234A with 139(1), an assessee is liable to pay interest u/s 234A if:

• he has tax payable and
• he don’t file his/her Income Tax Return up to 10th Jan 2021(Non Audit Case) or 15th Feb 2021(Audit Cases)