I-T offices, banks to remain in India open on Saturday

The government on Friday said all Income Tax (I-T) offices throughout the country will remain open on Saturday to facilitate filing of returns on the last day of financial year 2011-12.

"As the financial year (2011-12) closes on March 31, 2012 falling on Saturday, all the I-T offices throughout India to remain open on this day. The receipts counters will also work during normal office hours," Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) of the Finance Ministry said in a notification today.

The CBDT has also directed that special arrangements may also be made by way of opening additional receipt counters, wherever required on March 31 to help the taxpayers in filing their income returns.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank also directed all banks to remain open on March 31, 2012, with a view to facilitate accounting of all government transactions for the current financial year (2011-12).

"All banks, including private sector lenders, will remain open till 5 pm tomorrow for special clearings of government transactions for 2011-12," the RBI said.