Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the launch of a new tax platform, Transparent Taxation - Honoring The Honest, unveiled the faceless tax scrutiny feature. He also appealed to people to pay their due taxes and contribute to nation-building.
PM Modi announced that the Income Tax Department of the country will adopt a 'taxpayer charter' that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both tax officers and taxpayers. He said the faceless assessment and taxpayers' charter will come into force from today, whereas faceless appeal service will be available from September 25.
"Effort is to make tax system seamless, painless and faceless... honest taxpayer plays an important role in nation development," he said.
Also read: PM Modi announces Taxpayer's Charter; what is it?
Talking about paying taxes and responsibilities of taxpayers, the PM said while it is the responsibility of tax officers to deal with taxpayers with dignity, people should also consider paying taxes as their responsibility.
The PM said India is among nations with the lowest corporate tax and that for the government, reform means it should be based on policy and be holistic.
"In the past six years, India has witnessed the evolution of a new governance model in tax administration. We have decreased complexity, taxes, litigation, and increased transparency, tax compliance, and trust on the taxpayer," he said.
Saying that people were becoming aware of paying their due taxes, the PM said in 2012-13, 0.94% of all tax returns were scrutinised. In 2018-19, this figure came down to 0.26%. "This means, case scrutiny has reduced about four times," he said.
He said the number of people filing income tax returns has increased by about two and a half crores in the last 6-7 years. "But, it's true that in a country of 130 crores, it is still very less," he said. "Let us prove the resolve of new India, self-reliant India, respecting the spirit of trust, rights, obligations, platforms," PM Modi added.