The income tax department clarified that information published in a Gujarati newspaper is fake and the last date for filing of e-ITR for the current financial year is July 31, 2024, not August 31 as claimed by the daily.
The Income Tax department on Monday debunked a fake news published in a popular Gujarat-based newspaper, stating that the article published in Sandesh News– a Gujarati daily– which claimed that the date for e-filing of ITR has been extended to August 31, 2024, is fake news.
In a post on X, the IT department clarified that the information published in the Gujarati newspaper is fake and the last date for filing of e-ITR for the current financial year is July 31, 2024, not August 31 as claimed by the daily.
“It has come to our knowledge that a clipping of @sandeshnews is circulating on social media regarding extension of date of e-filing of ITR. This is FAKE news,” the department wrote on X with clip of the fake news article attached to the post.
It has come to our knowledge that a clipping of @sandeshnews is circulating on social media regarding extension of date of e-filing of ITR. This is FAKE news.
Taxpayers are advised to follow updates from the official website/portal of @IncomeTaxIndia#FactCheck pic.twitter.com/Hs5jk0kF3J
— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) July 22, 2024
The taxmen urged taxpayers not to fall prey to fake news and advised them to follow the department’s official website for updates.
“Taxpayers are advised to follow updates from the official website/portal of @IncomeTaxIndia,” it said.
Meanwhile, in another post, the Income Tax department also warned taxpayers about an income tax refund scam doing the rounds on the internet.
Kind Attention Taxpayers!
🚨 Beware of fake tax refund messages! #StaySafeOnline#CyberCrimePrevention pic.twitter.com/h5uNLJZXzz
— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) July 21, 2024
A scam is being perpetrated by cybercriminals, targeting taxpayers who are awaiting their income tax refunds. The scammers steal account details of victims by sending them fake SMS and emails under the pretext of providing income tax refunds.