Simplify tax structure to help tax payers become tax compliant: Sitharaman

Minister of State for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that the tax structure needs to be further simplified to enable tax payers to comply and pay their taxes.

She said citizens want to become lawfully compliant rather than tax evaders.

Sitharaman was delivering the valedictory address at the conclusion of the two-day annual conference of principal chief commissioners, principal director generals, chief commissioners and director generals of income tax here today.

She hoped that the deliberations at the conference would be helpful to the senior officers in handling various tax-related issues and in reducing tax litigation and strengthening of grievance redressal mechanism.

Earlier, Sitharaman released a handbook titled 'Effective Handling of Cases before Settlement Commission'.

Revenue Secretary Shaktikant Das, the chairman and members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and senior officers of the Department of Revenue were also present.

R.K. Tiwari, Chairman, CBDT, assured that officers of the income tx department will make all efforts to achieve their respective targets in a transparent and fair manner.

He also said deliberations during the conference were very fruitful and would help the officers in dealing with various day-to-day tax- related matters in an effective manner.