If an individual missed the deadline to file an income tax return (ITR), then a late filing fee of up to Rs 5,000 is levied. However, there are certain individuals who can file their ITR without paying a penalty even after the expiry of the deadline. Let us take a look at who will not have to face penal consequences for missing the ITR filing deadline.
The last date for filing an income tax return (ITR) is July 31, 2022, for FY 2021-22 (AY 2022-23). If the ITR filing deadline is missed, then he/she will have to pay a penalty at the time of filing a belated ITR. (Click here to find out how much penalty one will have to pay for missing the ITR filing deadline.) However, there are certain individuals who can file their ITR without paying a penalty even after the expiry of the ITR filing deadline.
Let us take a look at who will not have to face penal consequences for missing the ITR filing deadline.
Who will not have to pay penalty?
As per income tax laws, not everyone is required to pay a late filing fee for filing ITR after the expiry of the deadline. There will be no late filing fees to be levied as mentioned under section 234F on the ITR filed after the deadline if the gross total income does not exceed the basic exemption limit. Gross total income as mentioned in section 139(1) refers to the total income before taking into account the deductions under section 80C to 80U under the Act.
As per current tax laws, the basic tax exemption limit applicable to an individual depends on the tax regime chosen by him/her. If an individual opts for the new tax regime, then the basic exemption limit will be Rs 2.5 lakh irrespective of his/her age.
However, if an individual opts for the old tax regime, then the basic exemption limit depends on the age of the person. Currently, the basic exemption limit for resident individuals below the age of 60 years is Rs 2.5 lakh. For senior citizens aged 60 years and above but below 80 years, income up to Rs 3 lakh is exempted from tax. For super senior citizens (those above the age of 80 years), the basic exemption limit is up to Rs 5 lakh.
Exceptions to the above rule
However, there are two exceptions to the above rule. The first exception to the rule is the mandatory filing of ITR for certain sections of individuals even if their gross total income does not exceed the basic exemption limit.
First exception:
If a person satisfies any condition mentioned in the seventh proviso to Section 139(1), then he/she has to mandatorily file ITR for FY 2021-22, failing which the fee under section 234F would be levied.
Individuals who fall under the seventh proviso to Section 139(1) are as follows:
a) who have deposited an amount or aggregate of the amounts exceeding Rs 1 crore in one or more current accounts maintained with a banking company or a co-operative bank; or
b) who have incurred an expenditure of an amount or aggregate of the amounts exceeding Rs 2 lakh for himself or any other person for travel to a foreign country; or
c) who have incurred expenditure of an amount or aggregate of the amounts exceeding Rs 1 lakh rupees towards consumption of electricity or;
d) who full-fill such other conditions as maybe prescribed.
Therefore, if you are required to file ITR mandatorily due to any of the conditions mentioned above, then ensure that you have filed your tax return before the deadline or else late fee will be levied even if your gross total income is below the taxable limit.
Second exception
As per fourth proviso to Section 139(1), if you are a resident individual (other than not ordinarily resident within the meaning of Section 6(6) of the Act), holding any asset (including any financial interest) outside India, such as stocks of a foreign company, as a beneficial owner or you are a beneficiary of any asset or have signing authority in any account located outside India, then you are mandatorily required to file income tax return before the due date even if the total income is below the taxable limit. In such cases, if you file your ITR after the deadline, late filing fees would be levied as per provisions of the law.
