A representative photo.
Credit: Reuters photo
The Income Tax Department's latest update on its e-filing portal offers visibility to exact date and time when the Assessing Officer (AO) or Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)] has viewed the taxpayer's notice submission, prompting authority to adhere to statutory timelines.
The ongoing claims of taxpayers facing constraints due to delays and non-consideration of submissions are addressed through a new system that ensures tax payers know when their response has been accessed by the tax authority.
Gaurav Jain, partner, direct tax, Forvis Mazars India, told Business Standard, “Taxpayers can now track the exact date and time when their submissions are accessed by the officer concerned. This brings clarity and assurance that their responses are under consideration, eliminating earlier uncertainty.”
Let's look at the key benefits of the update introduced by the Income Tax Department.
Taxpayers are notified when authorities open their submissions.
Every action is time-stamped, creating a digital audit trail for reference in case of delays or disputes.
Officers are likely to act within statutory timelines as their login details can act as a proof for undue delays or orders passed without considering tax payer's response.
The faceless process creates communication gap between the stakeholders. The new system’s fairness and efficiency replace the gap by traceable actions.
The data security is maintained; the new feature does not compromise confidentiality. According to Mrinal Mehta, chartered accountant and joint secretary, Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society, “The audit trail is visible only to the respective taxpayer, ensuring sensitive information remains secure,” as reported by Business Standard.