JOIN USIT city prefers filing I-T returns physically, not online
That most of the Bangaloreans, as assessed by the department through the feedbacks received, prefer filing their returns physically has also pushed the department into extending this facility for those filing returns for the financial year 2009-10.
Speaking with Deccan Herald, I-T Department Additional Commissioner B Arulappa said that as many as 4.5 lakh tax-payers filed their returns at these counters as against just 1.75 lakh people through online.
He however said that details about how many of them have already filed their returns online this year are not available, stating that the department will calculate it only after the entire process is complete.
One of the biggest reason why people prefer filing for returns physically is because they receive their acknowledgement letters on the same day in less than five minutes of them filing unlike online where it takes at least 15 days.
The counters, he said, will remain open between 9.30 am and 5 pm and will function even on Saturdays and Sundays with over 250-300 I-T officials supervising them.
Besides, a large screen displaying the procedure of filling the forms, adequate parking space along with a food court, drinking water and toilet facilities will be organised, he added.
On whether the department plans to add additional counters during the last day or two as there was a huge rush last year, Arulappa said: “We’ve decided to go with as many counters as we had last year and do not plan any additional counters as the last day falls on a Saturday and we experienced less crowd on weekends even last year.”
He also added that the time taken to service one tax-payer is just about five minutes and that the department believes it will be comfortable with 90 counters.