The last date for filing of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the financial year 2016-17 has been extended till Aug. 5. The original deadline was July 31. The Income Tax Department has already received over two crore returns filed electronically.

The Department had earlier issued advertisements in leading national dailies in the last few days stating that taxpayers should disclose their income “correctly” and file their ITRs on or before July 31. Every person whose gross total income exceeds the taxable limit must file an income tax return.

Giving the reason for the extension, a government official said the Tax Department’s e-filing website www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in has been experiencing overload due to last minute filing of returns.

Linking of Aadhaar number with PAN (Permanent Account Number) of taxpayers has also been made mandatory for filing of ITR, beginning July 1. The Ministry of Finance has said that Aadhaar-PAN linking can be done till Aug. 31 and the return will be processed after the linking. Actual linking of PAN with Aadhaar can be done subsequently, but any time before Aug. 31. However, the returns will not be processed until the linkage of Aadhaar with PAN is done, it added.

Every person whose gross total income exceeds the taxable limit must file an IT-return, the Income Tax Department said.