‘Extend date of filing annual VAT 20 returns’

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 16

Members of Punjab Tax Bar Association (PTBA) have filed a second request to the Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Government of Punjab, to extend the date of filing annual VAT 20 returns for 2017-18.

The PTBA members said they had filed a representation on the matter on November 18, following which the state government had sent a representative to listen to the grievances of tax professionals here in Ludhiana. The grievances were heard in front of the District Excise and Taxation Commissioner here.

“The ETC had extended the date till December 15, but there are many tax-payers whose returns could not be filed, as they were facing several problems during the submission of information, while getting passwords etc,” said BR Kaushal, secretary general, PTBA.

“We held a detailed discussion with the official in the presence of DETC here. We expected that the government will further extend the date and provide respite to hundreds of taxpayers, but the department did not do so, following which many taxpayers have failed to file returns. Now, they will have to face penalties, which is uncalled for,” said Kaushal.