What is Form 3CA?
One of the significant forms utilised in the procedure of filing Income Tax returns in India is the Form 3CA. It is an Audit Report indenture. An Audit Report is a statement that is controlled and managed in accordance with Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Specific rules for utilising this form is prescribed in the Income Tax Act of 1961 under Rule 6G (1) (a). At the time of filing income tax returns, the assessee or the examiner must use a catalogue of forms that has been executed by the Income Tax Department of India. A detailed list regarding the regulations and rules pertaining to the usage of these forms has been concocted by the Income Tax rules of 1962 and the Income Tax Act of 1961. After the occupation and vocation of the assessee goes past an audit that is done by a lawfully recognised chartered account who is holding full time Certificate of Practice, only then is it submitted.
Who Needs to Submit Form 3CA
Form 3CA of income tax audit needs to be filled out by income taxpayers, including corporate professionals and self-employed persons, who are under the scope of Section 44AB. These individuals and corporates are required to get their bank accounts audited as per the current income tax laws.
In addition, companies that are liable to get their accounts audited as per the current companies act 2013 must also fill out the audit form.
Form 3CA is generally filled out by the professional auditors on behalf of taxpayers. But it is recommended that auditors get the audit reports checked and approved by the taxpayers before submitting them to the tax authorities.
Besides 3CA, 3CB, 3CD and 3CE are other types of forms used for different audits. Only a professional auditor or CA must submit the Form 3CA after auditing of the taxpayers’ accounts.
When to Submit Form 3CA (Due Date for Submitting Form 3CA)
Form 3CA for audit reporting must be filed by eligible taxpayers on or before 30th September of the respective assessment year.
For the financial year (FY) 2017-18, the assessment year (AY) will be 2019-20, and so the audit report along with Form 3CA will be filed by September 30, 2020.
The due date for submitting form 3CE for audit report is November 30 of that assessment year.
Major Components of Form 3CA
Some of the prominent components of 3CA are mentioned below-
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Details of the Assessee i.e. Name, Address and PAN.
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Date of the audit report.
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Annexure details (Balance sheet, Profit & Loss A/c, other documents and Form 3CD).
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A declaration by the auditor that all the filled details and the Annexure are true and correct subject to qualifications/observations if any.
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Auditor’s name, address, membership number, FRN no. and signature with stamp/seal.
How to Submit Form 3CA
The key details to be filled out in 3CA audit form are as follows:
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Personal details of the taxpayer, including name, PAN and address
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Name of the auditor
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Number and section/subsection of the Companies Act under which the accounts have been audited
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Date of the audit/ audit report
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Period (start and end date) for which the Income/Expenditure Account or Profit/Loss Account has been audited
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Balance Sheet Date
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Declaration that the audit report along with Form 3CD has been attached
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The observations/ qualifications (in details) as found in the audit associated with Form 3CD
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Date & Place of signing the audit report
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Details, including name, address and membership number, of the auditor
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Auditor’s stamp and signature/seal
While submitting the Form 3CA, the auditor must also attach records of related documents, including Form 3CD, Balance Sheet and P&L statement.
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