With the last date for filing income tax returns fast approaching on Monday, the I-T department as well as assessees are facing problems with online data entry.

This year onward, it is mandatory for all those who earn over Rs 10 lakh per annum to file their returns online, and this has caused the department website to crash as millions of people try to log in all at once before July 31. 

The I-T PRO says those who have no outstanding taxes due to the department may file their returns after July 31, but those who owe tax will have to pay interest if they fail to do so by this date. For the first time, the I-T department has set up helpdesks or tax kiosks across the city which guide taxpayers how to fill forms and do basic calculations.

However, those manning these kiosks are not authorised to accept returns, and assessees must still visit the income tax offices at Bandra-Kurla Complex or Aaykar Bhavan, Churchgate, to do so, or assign the task to a chartered accountant.

The helpdesk TRPs (tax return preparers) are neither employees of the I-T department nor are they qualified chartered accountants in several instances. "This is the first year we are reaching out to the public, and the aim is to show that we are not mere collectors but render service to the taxpayer as well," said Anand Mudaliar, an income tax officer who was overseeing the helpdesk at Vidya Vikas Hall, Andheri. (Times of India)