CBDT Chief advices AO to not to harass taxpayers or be high handed with them

CBDT Chief advices AO to not to harass taxpayers or be high handed with them

As per speach give by CBDT's chief the immediate priority of Income Tax Department, will be maximizing Revenue collection. The Department should widen and deepen the tax base, ensuring simultaneously, the optimum utilization of physical as well as human resources.

He further advised that this must be done without any harassment or high handedness on the part of officers or officials. The conduct of an assessing officer must be impeccable, friendly, yet objective -without fear or favour- as we move towards becoming a non-adversarial regime.

The Complete Speech is given below for reference:

CBDT Chief advices AO to not to harass taxpayers or be high handed with them

P. C. MODY

Chairman, CBDT & Special Secretary to the Government of India

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Ministry of Finance/Department of Revenue

Central Board of Direct Taxes

North Block, New Delhi 110001

E-mail :[email protected]

Tele : 23092648 & Telefax : 23092544

26th February, 2019

My dear colleagues,

On taking over responsibility of the Chairman, CBDT, I am thankful to each and everyone for bestowing their good wishes as well as for the faith they have reposed in me. The efforts of our predecessors have ensured, that the Department has only risen in stature and with your support, I hope to continue to meet the aspirations of not only the public and taxpayers but also our own employees.

Our immediate priority, will be maximizing Revenue collection. We need to widen and deepen the tax base, ensuring simultaneously, the optimum utilization of physical as well as human resources.

This must be done without any harassment or high handedness on the part of officers or officials. Our conduct must be impeccable, friendly, yet objective -without fear or favour- as we move towards becoming a non-adversarial regime.

Timely delivery of quality Tax Payer Services shall be another prime area of focus. Continuous and concerted efforts must be made to address and redress all public grievances within the prescribed time- limit. Systemic reforms shall continue to be undertaken, especially to redress grievances of smaller taxpayers, such as: Increased automation of processes, e-filing, centralized processing of tax returns, and other bulk operations. Expediting Dispute Resolution, Tax Payer Education and Litigation Management shall also be areas of focus and concern.

We shall continue to strive towards greater transparency, accountability and improved voluntary compliance as we roll out a Digital Administration.

The Board shall also make all efforts for ensuring timely provision of service needs of its officials, with an aim to improve their efficiency, output, and morale. We shall try our best to harmonize the organizational goals with the needs of every employee, so that they are able to rise to the challenges of effective tax-administration with increased exposure and up-gradation.

In dreams, begin responsibilities. In this shared vision, I look forward, to not only your continuous support, but also your constructive suggestions and participation for improving the image of the Department and contributing towards Nation Building.

(P. C. Mody)