New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) The government on Friday notified a simpler, one-page form for filing income tax returns while making it mandatory to quote Aadhaar number and disclose bank deposits of more than INR 2 lakh post demonetisation.

The Income Tax Return Form-1 (Sahaj) will replace the 7-page form, removing a plethora of columns on deductions from income claimed.

Sahaj can be filed by an individual having income of up to INR 50 lakh from salary, house property and interest.

Currently, SAHAJ (ITR 1) is filed by salaried employees and ITR 2 by individuals and HUFs whose income does not include income from business.

The government has done away with form ITR 2A (used by individuals & HUFs not having income from business or profession and capital gains and by those who do not hold foreign assets).

Sahaj makes quoting of 12-digit biometric identifier Aadhaar number mandatory along with Permanent Account Number (PAN) and also seeks details of cash in excess of INR 2 lakh that was deposited in bank accounts in the 50-day post demonetisation window.

ITR 2 and ITR 3 have a Schedule AL requiring assessees to declare their assets and liabilities at the end of the fiscal.

Only 6 crore out of 29 crore people having PAN file income tax returns at present.

The e-filing facility for ITR-1 is enabled from April 1 and ITRs can be filed till the stipulated deadline of July 31.

While the old ITR form too had column to quote Aadhaar, the government has through an amendment to the Income Tax Act this week made quoting it mandatory.

“The Central Board of Direct Taxes has notified Income-Tax Return Forms (ITR Forms) for the Assessment Year 2017-18. One of the major reforms made in the notified ITR Forms is the designing of a one page simplified ITR Form-1 (Sahaj),” CBDT said in a statement.

In the new form, parts relating to tax computation and deductions have been rationalised and simplified for easy compliance.

Besides personal details, an income tax filer needs to disclose only his income from salary or pension, one house property and other sources like interest. Thereafter, deduction claims are to be stated, followed by computation of taxable income.

Bank details are to be filled in the column following that. Details of advance tax, self-assessment tax payments and tax deducted at source come next.

In the column for providing bank details, cash deposited in excess of INR 2 lakh during November 9 to December 30, 2016 has to be mentioned. .

  demonetization, development, income tax