Special counters for filing income tax returns open

The Income Tax Department on Saturday opened special counters for receiving I-T returns at Kings Court, adjacent to Gayatri Vihar in Palace Grounds.

Although the number of counters (65) this year is less than the ones set up last year (100), officials said they would suffice to cater to the demand of the salaried class and pensioners, given that returns can also be filed online.

The special counters will remain open between 10 am  and 5 pm on all days including holidays, till July 31. More than 250 I-T officials will supervise the counters.

During this period, the I-T returns of salaried assessees and pensioners will not be received anywhere else, while arrangements are made to receive the bulk returns separately.  Since the assessees with total income exceeding Rs five lakh are required to file their returns electronically, e-filing intermediaries will be available to the taxpayers at the venue to enable them e-file the returns.

A large screen displaying the procedure of filling the forms, adequate parking space along with a food court, drinking water and toilet facilities have been provided at the venue. Also, special counters will have ATMs, swipe machines, bank counters, help centres and “tax volunteers.”

“Tax Return Preparers (TRPs) will also be available at a pre-determined nominal cost for assistance besides providing PAN service counters,” an official said.