CBDT has issued Circular No. 21 of 2021 providing a one-time relaxation for submission of ITR-V/e-Verification of ITRs for AY 2020-21 and for regularisation of the ITRs that have either become non-est or have remained pending for want of receipt of ITR-V or pending e-Verification.
The Circular permits verification of such returns either by sending a duly signed physical copy of ITR-V to CPC, Bengaluru through speed post or through EVC/OTP mode by 28th Feb, 2022; The relaxation is inapplicable where during the intervening period, Income-tax Department has already taken recourse to any other measure as specified in the Act for ensuring filing of tax return by the taxpayer concerned after declaring the return as non-est.
CBDT also relaxes the time-frame for issuing the intimation under second proviso to Section 143(1) and directs that such returns shall be processed by 30th June 2022 and intimation of processing of such returns shall be sent to the taxpayer concerned as per the laid down procedure. For refund cases, clarifies that Section 244A(2) would apply for determining interest. It is also clarified that the relaxation would be applicable to all such returns which are verified during the extended period.
