An assessee gets the ITR-V (Verification) Form when the return is e-filed without using a digital signature. After receiving the ITR-V, the assessee has to sign the copy and submit to the Income Tax Department at CPC, Bengaluru to complete the filing process.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the time-limit for filing ITR-V Forms for the three Assessment Years till March 31, for returns e-filed with refund claims within the time allowed under relevant section the Income Tax Act, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

"It may be noted that this final opportunity is being extended to the taxpayers to regularise their returns where refunds continue to remain pending for Assessment Years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 for want of valid ITR-V Form," it added.

Therefore, the Ministry said, taxpayers concerned are advised to take benefit of this relaxation so as to enable the tax authorities to further process their otherwise valid refund claims.

In past also the time for submitting ITR-V Forms for the three Assessment Years was extended.

The date has been extended again as some electronically filed returns with refund claim still remain pending with the the tax department due to non-submission of ITR-V within the prescribed time-frame, the ministry added.

The taxpayer whose ITR-V has yet to be received at CPC, Bengaluru "must submit" a duly signed copy of the Form by speed-post. Whether the ITR-V has been received by the CPC can be ascertained at the website of the Income Tax Department.

PTI