No longer current — replaced by Statement of Financial Transaction (SFT)
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/96 · issued 05 Aug 2005 · ~2 min read
Quick answerBanks issuing government savings bonds must file an Annual Information Return under Section 285BA of the Income Tax Act for any person receiving ₹5 lakh or more in a financial year. Deadline: August 31, 2005.
What changed
RBI reminded authorized banks and institutions to submit Annual Information Returns for savings bonds issued, covering FY 2004-05. The return must include data for 6.5% Savings Bonds (Non-Taxable) from April 1, 2004 to scheme closure, and for 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds for the full financial year.
What it means for you
Banks must ensure timely compliance with tax reporting requirements to avoid penalties. This affects all entities issuing government savings bonds, requiring them to track aggregate receipts per person and file returns with income tax authorities.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
File Annual Information Return for savings bonds if not already done, by August 31, 2005.
Include all persons (individuals, HUFs, companies, etc.) receiving ₹5 lakh or more in aggregate during FY 2004-05.
For 6.5% Savings Bonds (Non-Taxable), report data from April 1, 2004 until scheme closure.
For 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, report data for the full financial year April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular by fax to the provided numbers.
Who it affects
State Bank of India and associate banks, 17 nationalised banks, UTI Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, IDBI Bank, Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd., All entities authorized to issue government savings bonds
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 20:07 IST
Superseded by — Statement of Financial Transaction (SFT)
Status change: superseded09 Jul 2026, 04:03 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the threshold for filing the Annual Information Return?
The return must be filed if the aggregate amount received from a person is ₹5 lakh or more in a financial year (April 1 to March 31).
Which bonds are covered under this requirement?
The circular covers 6.5% Savings Bonds, 2003 (Non-Taxable) and 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003. For the non-taxable bonds, data from April 1, 2004 till scheme closure is required; for taxable bonds, the full FY 2004-05.
What is the deadline for filing?
The Annual Information Return must be submitted on or before August 31, 2005.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Superseded byStatement of Financial Transaction (SFT)
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2005-06/96
Ref.No.DGBA.CDD.13.01.299 / H - 739 -768 / 2005-06
August 5, 2005
Shravana 14, 1927 (S)
The Chairman/ Managing Director State Bank of India/Associate Banks/
17 Nationalised Banks/ UTI Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., HDFC Bank Ltd., IDBI Bank Ltd./
Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd.
Dear Sir,
Submission of Annual Information Return relating to issue of Bonds for Rs. 5 lakh or more under Section 285 BA of Income Tax Act, 1961
You have been authorized to issue Savings Bonds Notified by the Government of India on behalf of Reserve Bank of India. In this connection, you may be aware that the offices accepting deposits under these schemes are required to furnish Annual Information Return as contemplated in Section 285 BA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 read with Rule 114E of the Income Tax Rules, 1962 to the concerned Income Tax authorities before the due date i.e., August 31, 2005, if the aggregate of the amount received from a person is Rs.5 lakh or more in a year i.e., during the period April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005. In terms of Section 2 (31) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, a person has been defined to include (i) an individual, (ii) a Hindu undivided family, (iii) a company, (iv) a firm, (v) an association of person or a body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, (vi) a local authority, and (vii) every artificial juridical person, not falling with any of the preceding sub-clauses. We, therefore, advise you to file the Annual Information Return in respect of Savings Bonds issued by you, if not already done.
2. In the case of 6.5% Savings Bonds, 2003 (Non -Taxable), the data for the period from April 1, 2004 till the closure of the scheme may be furnished. However, the information pertaining to 8% Saving (Taxable) Bonds, 2003, should cover the financial year beginning on the 1st day of April 2004.
3. Please submit the Annual Information Report on or before August 31, 2005, if not already done, in respect of your bank / corporation and furnish compliance to us .
4. Please acknowledge receipt by return fax (No.022 - 2301 0095 / 2300 0370).
Yours faithfully,
(B. B. Sangma)
General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/96 · issued 05 Aug 2005. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 05 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2454&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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