The Income Tax Department's plan to send email enquiries instead of the usual practice of sending postal tax notices to the taxpayers concerned is a welcome move. Given that the postal notices had a somewhat threatening tone, proposing to dispense with them could create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. This move would, of course, obviate the normal requirements on the part of taxpayers to carry a host of documentary evidence and other supporting papers to substantiate their tax-related claims and, at times, to make honest submissions.
Most significantly, taxpayers may no longer have to confront the usually suspecting income tax officials. As emailed notices are likely to be more specific and based on reasons, taxpayers may finally be spared harassment.
Another taxpayer-friendly initiative - crediting the refund amount (wherever due) to the respective accounts of eligible taxpayers within seven to 10 days of e-verification of their tax returns - also deserves appreciation. By implementing this measure, the usual complaints of long-pending cases of tax refunds due to bureaucratic hurdles and/or red-tapism may finally become things of the past.
S Kumar, New Delhi
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