New tax bill: ITR filing, NRI status decoded

Under the current Income Tax Act, 1961 (ITA), one is required to file an income tax return under section 139 if their income exceeds basic exemption limit.

- Harshal Bhuta

Besides, section 239 of the IT Act mandates the filing of a tax return under section 139 if there is a tax refund claim.

Since the only condition under section 239 to claim a refund is to file ITR under section 139, revised and belated returns are covered under this provision.

However, under the proposed Income Tax Bill, 2025 (ITB), clause 263 (corresponds to section 139 of the ITA) requires an individual to file ITR by the original due date, i.e., 31 July of the succeeding financial year to make a claim for refund.