New Delhi, Sept 1 (KNN) Providing an extended window, the government has decided to extend the deadline for linking the Aadhaar and PAN to December 31^st.

Also the small businesses and professionals can now file their returns by September 30^th.

The announcement came just few hours before the closing time of the earlier announced deadline.

Experts are of the opinion that the extension given is in line with the ongoing petition in the Supreme Court with reference to making Aadhaar mandatory for availing different incentives and subsidies from the government.

Meanwhile the government maintained that the linking is essential in order to keep a check on duplication that subsequently leads to tax evasion.

Also as a part of the extension, the government informed that the due date for filing the income tax returns and reports of audits prescribed under the income tax act has been extended from the earlier prescribed date of September 30^th to October 31^st as per the new notification.

(KNN/ DA)