Press Release regarding instruction issued to ensure a non-adversarial tax regime within the Income-tax Department

In its constant endeavour towards a non-adversarial tax regime, the Central Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT) has issued instruction dated 7th November, 2014 to its field offices. Emphasis has been laid on cleanliness in office, punctuality, timeliness in appointment and avoiding unnecessary adjournments. Though less that 1% of returns filed are selected for scrutiny, this area of work has often drawn adversarial comments. Supervisory officers, have been directed to play a more pro-active role in monitoring and guiding assessments towards ensuring that high-pitched assessments without proper basis are not made and that lengthy questionnaires or summons without due application of mind are avoided. They have been directed to ensure Inspections and Reviews in accordance with guidelines issued to enable capacity building within the Department and accountability of the officers.