CBDT to have Taxpayers' Lounge at India International Trade Fair

The Income Tax department will set up a Taxpayers' Lounge at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) here to provide services such as accepting PAN applications and e-filing of returns.

"The theme of the Taxpayers' Lounge this year would follow the theme of IITF 2015, i.e. 'Make in India', and aims to generate awareness in the public about various taxpayer-friendly initiatives taken by the department," a finance ministry statement said.

Various tax-payer services, including e-filing of returns, viewing of tax credit through 26AS, applications for PAN and services of Tax Return Preparers, will be provided at the lounge, it said.

Services delivered at Ayakar Seva Kendras (ASK) will also be showcased to the public, it added.

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairperson Anita Kapur will inaugurate the lounge on Saturday in the presence of senior officials of CBDT and the Income Tax Department.

President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the IITF on November 14, which is expected to see the participation of over 7,000 Indian and foreign companies.

Besides domestic firms, companies from Afghanistan, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates would showcase their products at the fair.

Tickets will cost Rs.30 on public days and Rs.50 on weekends or holidays. Tickets can be purchased online for business days at Rs.400 per entry.

Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will also participate in the IITF 2015 with a view to spread financial literacy and investor education.

The main focus of the SEBI exhibition will be the well-regulated Indian securities market, its various products and spreading investor education and awareness against illegal money mobilisation schemes through talk shows by market experts and skits.