Committed to dispose refund claims within 3 mths: CBEC

The CBEC has implemented four of the 11 'customer focus' recommendations of Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC), including disposal of refund claims within three months.
Listing out the status of recommendations accepted and implemented, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said five customer focus suggestions were under implementation and the remaining two were being examined.
TARC had made a case for a online tracking system of dak, grievances and applications for refund.
CBEC said it is on of the 10 central government organisations to implement quality management systems for high standard public services popularly called as SEVOTTAM.
"Under this, CBEC is committed to acknowledge all written communications... Immediately and in no case later than seven working days of their receipt".

Regarding refund, it said it is committed to "dispose of a refund claim within three months of receipt of a complete claim".

The TARC had also made 19 suggestions on the dispute resolution front, of which seven have been implemented and 11 were under implementation.
To minimise the potential for disputes, it had suggested the Board to regularly issue clear and lucid interpretative statements on contentious issues.
CBEC said it issues clarification from time to time. Also, on the basis of references received from field formations or trade and industry, "Board issues the required clarifications", it added.
TARC was constituted to recommend reform exclusively in tax administration. It was specifically mandated to review the application of tax policies and tax laws in the context of global best practices.

The Commission, headed by Parthasarathy Shome has submitted its report in four parts with regards to both direct and indirect taxes.