The Central Board of Direct Taxes through notification dated 29th July, 2021 has issued the Income-tax (21st Amendment) Rules, 2021. The amendment allows the Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) or the Director General of Income-tax (Systems), as the case may be, with the approval of the Board, to specify that any of the Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders, by whatever name called, prescribed in Appendix II, shall be furnished electronically:
- Under digital signature, if the return of income is required to be furnished under digital signature; or
- Through electronic verification code in all other cases.
The Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) or the Director General of Income-tax (Systems) is also allowed to lay down the data structure, standards and procedure of furnishing and verification of such Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders, including modification in format, if required, to make it compatible for furnishing electronically. They shall also be responsible for formulating and implementing appropriate security, archival and retrieval policies in relation to the said Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders.
