Despite SC Ruling, Aadhaar Still Necessary for Filing I-T Returns

The government’s income tax website bars taxpayers from filing returns without Aadhaar.

The deadline to file income tax returns for financial years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 is 31 March. 

(Photo: The Quint)

The Supreme Court had, on 13 March, indefinitely extended the deadline for linking the Unique Identification Number to various services. However, despite that, the income tax website doesn’t allow the taxpayers to file their returns without an Aadhaar number, reported Hindustan Times.

The apex court had directed the government that Aadhaar can’t be made mandatory until the final verdict is announced. But the income tax rules maintain that a taxpayer has to file his/her return by quoting an Aadhaar number.

With 10 days left for filing of returns for financial years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, the taxpayers who don’t have an Aadhaar are unsure if they can file their income tax returns. 

The Finance Act, 2017, made it mandatory to quote Aadhaar number while e-filing a return from 1 July 2017. Taxpayers are needed to link their Aadhaar numbers to their Permanent Account Number (PAN) for this.

We are seized of this issue and are looking into it.

Spokesperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to Hindustan Times

(With inputs from Hindustan Times.)

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