Address taxpayers' grievances in time-bound manner: CBDT to I-T

In order to aggressively mitigate grievances of taxpayers, CBDT has asked the taxman to address rectification applications filed by affected assesses in a prompt and time-bound manner.

An application for rectification of an order issued by the Income Tax department's Assessing Officer (AO), under section 154 of the I-T Act, can be filed for correction by a taxpayer for amendments and necessary additions or deletions.

A latest order issued by the apex policy making body of the I-T has asked field offices of the department to "strictly adhere" to and dispose these cases within the two-month stipulated deadline.

"The CBDT has asked the department to be prompt in redressing taxpayer grievances and has asked all the officers of the department to take lead in fulfilling this commitment," a senior I-T official said.

The Board, the official said, has told the taxman about the concern of the government in this regard as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also spoke on this subject and he asked the department to deploy its strength on this front during his key-note address to top brass of the I-T during a recently concluded annual conference held here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has earlier asked the department to address these issues expeditiously.

"It has been a matter of concern that the rectification applications under section 154 filed by the taxpayers before the field officers are not being dealt with promptly. The Citizen's Charter of the department requires that applications are to be disposed within two months from the end of the month in which application is received," the CBDT order, accessed by PTI, said.

The order stipulated that the two-month guideline should be "strictly adhered to" even as it asked senior I-T officials to monitor these cases on a priority basis.

"...The Assessing Officers may kindly be advised to promptly settle the grievances related to verification of demand... The Income Tax department is committed to prompt redressal of taxpayer grievances and all the officers of the department are expected to take lead in fulfilling this commitment," it said.

The importance of the subject can be gauged from the fact that CBDT Chairperson Anita Kapur is personally monitoring these country-wide cases.