The government extended the deadline for linking Aadhaar and PAN to December 31 and also gave a month’s extension to small businesses and professionals to file returns by September 30.

The four-month extension for linking the two identification numbers came hours before the window was to close.

While several taxpayers had criticised the move, the government refused to drop the plan although it did extend the deadline by a month. The new deadline is in line with the extension for Aadhaar for social services as the Supreme Court is hearing a petition to make the unique ID mandatory to avail of government benefits.

The government has repeatedly said the Aadhaar-PAN linking was necessary to avoid duplication, which had resulted in tax evasion.

While some of the opposition is due to the inability of some, especially senior citizens, to acquire Aadhaar, a handful of individuals have questioned the need for the ID as well as the privacy architecture.

The government also said the “due date” for filing income tax returns and various reports of audit prescribed under the Income Tax Act, 1961 had been extended from September 30 to October 31.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/aadhaar-pan-link-deadline-extended-till-december-31/articleshow/60317071.cms