It has been widely reported that the Honourable Gujrat High Court has passed an order directing the CBDT to extend the due date for filing of Tax Returns by Taxpayers who are subjected to Tax Audit under section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, to November 30, 2014, but with late-filing interest under section 234A.

The aforesaid order has been passed in response to petition filed by an association of Tax consultants, challenging the CBDT action to extend the due date for filing of the Tax Audit report relating to the fiscal year 2013-14 (Assessment Year 2014-15) to November 30, 2014, while keeping the due date for filing of the Tax Return unchanged (September 30, 2014).

In reponse to the petition, an affidavit was filed by the counsel on behalf of the Government and the CBDT, to the effect that any revision of returns pursuant to Tax Audit report would not invite any penal action. CBDT response to the court directive is awaited.