I-T Notices Only Through Centralised System to End Harassment: FM

Sitharaman said that she has met several state tax officials and urged them not to stress on the tax liabilities

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Responding to India Inc's call for measures to curb "tax terrorism", Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Friday, said that tax authorities do not have to overreach as the tax targets set in the Budget are well within achievable limits, according to IANS.

Sitharaman said that she has met several state tax officials and urged them not to stress on the tax liabilities.

She will also meet tax officials across the country and convey the message.

She observed that technology can be used to monitor tax payments and liabilities, which should be used by the authorities.

The Finance Minister also said that the government would take measures to curb such instances, including the introduction of “faceless” tax scrutiny from the upcoming Vijaya Dashami.

All IT Notices Only Through Centralised Computer System

To address concerns over alleged harassment of taxpayers, Sitharaman said it has been decided that from 1 October, all notices, summons, and orders of the Income Tax Department would be issued through a centralised computer system and would also have a a computer generated unique Document Identification Number, PTI reported.

She further said that tax notices and summons without a computer generated unique ID number would not be valid. This measure would help curb unauthorised tax summons.

On violation of corporate social responsibility norms, the Minister said that such violations would not be treated as a criminal offence. Prosecution will be replaced with a more humane approach and wealth creators will be honoured and respected, she said.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)