JOIN US4 lakh I-T returns expected
Inaugurating the special counters, Chief Commissioner (Karnataka & Goa) M L Agarwal said that this year the department was expecting four lakh returns to be filed, as opposed to five lakh last year.
Across the country, e-filing of tax returns has risen to 80 lakh, and this year the department expects it to rise to 1.5 lakh crore filings. Those filing e-returns can expect their refunds to be processed within four months, while those filing paper returns will have to wait for a maximum period of one year.
This is the third year that the I-T department has opened special counters to meet the rush for filing of returns of income by salaried employees and pensioners.
From July 20 to 31
This year, the special counters at Gayatri Vihar, Palace Grounds, will be open from July 20 to 31. Tax collection in Karnataka and Goa Circles has been buoyant, with nearly
Rs 40,200 crore collected as tax last year. “We have also processed reimbursement worth Rs 5,017 crore for the Karnataka and Goa Circles,” said Agarwal.
The special counters will feature ATMs, swipe machines, and bank counters to facilitate instantaneous payment of taxes, if any, before filing the returns. Help desks and tax volunteers have also been made available to guide the taxpayers, while tax return preparers are available to help the assessees to assist in preparing their returns of income at a pre-determined fee.
Facilities have also been made available to verify PAN numbers. “We have extended all possible facilities for tax assessees,” said Agarwal.
The department is also extending special facilities for the physically disabled, with provisions for transportation from the main gate to the filing counters for those who need it.