New Delhi: July 31st is the close deadline to fill in those IT returns and the new ITR Forms are not a piece of cake. The buzz is that they are even harder to fill out than the last ones.

As the July 31st deadline approaches, most tax payers are looking for chartered accounts and their financial agents to help them finish an otherwise simple task of filling the IT return form

"It is very complicated and difficult to fill up," said Geeta Das a taxpayer. "Saral Form was a single page form and much simpler. Even a lay man could fill it up," said Sudeep a salaried employee.

According to some, for working people the easiest option could be to make form 16 the new tax return form. "Form 16 carries almost every information about ones salary and tax payments, deduction, rebates and investments. Why cant it double up as the return form?," says L K Channa Bank Executive.

Tax experts agree that the new forms are more confusing and difficult. With 9 forms available people don't know which one to fill up.

"It is very difficult for each individual person to fill these forms. Earlier, the saral forms carried annexure, which had instructions and one look could help the person know how to fill the tax form. The new form is lengthy and cumbersome," said Vikas Agarwal, Chartered Accountant.

Finding the right return form is adding to taxpayers confusion. And that's not all. The government's proposal to withdraw the option of filing returns at the post office, is yet another blow for tax paying consumers.