Reserve Bank on Wednesday asked income tax assessees to pay theirincome tax dues in advance at RBI or any authorised bank branches including that of SBI, ICICI, HDFC Bank, PNB and Axis Bank.

It has been observed that rush for remitting income tax dues through the RBI has been far too heavy towards the end of September every year, the apex bank said in a release.

The RBI said it becomes difficult for the regulator to cope with the pressure of issuing receipts despite provision for additional counters to the maximum possible extent.

So the RBI appealed to the income tax assessees to remit their tax dues sufficiently in advance of the due date.

Assessees can use alternate channels like select branches of agency banks or the facility of online payment of taxes offered by these banks, it said.

"These will obviate the inconvenience involved in standing in long queues at Reserve Bank offices," it added.

Among others, income tax assessees can also remit their income tax dues at designated branches of Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Corporation Bank, Dena Bank, IDBI Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and Oriental Bank of Commerce.

Punjab & Sindh Bank, Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, United Bank of India, Vijaya Bank, State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Patiala autorised branches would also collect the Income Tax dues.