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New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
CBDT chief highlights tax dept's digital transformation on 166th Income Tax Day in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Ravi Agrawal on Thursday highlighted the transformative journey of the Income Tax department towards greater transparency, efficiency, simplification, and digitalisation. In a video message on the occasion of the 166th Income Tax Day celebrated by the Odisha Region here, Agrawal also lauded the crucial role of taxpayers in nation-building and reaffirmed the department's vision to continue enhancing taxpayer services and streamlining processes. Principal chief commissioner of Income Tax, Odisha region, Paramita Satapathy Tripathy, said, 'Marking over a century and a half of dedicated service to the nation, the celebration highlights the department's ongoing commitment to voluntary tax compliance, taxpayer service, and nation-building.' The event featured a Chhau dance performance by the Mayur Art Group and an award ceremony honouring meritorious officers and employees for their exemplary service. Distinguished doctors from across the state were also felicitated for their decades-long contribution to society. Principal director of Income Tax (Investigation) Sandeep Goel, principal chief commissioner of Income Tax Saroj Kumar Mohapatra, and commissioner of Income Tax (Admin & TPS), Bhubaneswar, Shovan Krushna Sahu, were present.
Hans India
14 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Simplified language in new Income Tax Bill a significant shift: FM Sitharaman
New Delhi: The use of simplified language in the new Income Tax Bill, 2025 marks a significant shift in making the provisions easier to understand, reducing the potential for misinterpretation and enhancing taxpayer-centricity and compliance, according to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Urging the I-T Department to accelerate disposal of disputed tax demands pending before faceless appellate authorities and ensure timely resolution of litigation backlog, she said the Department should identify and withdraw departmental appeals falling below the revised monetary thresholds announced in Union Budget 2024-25 within 3 months. 'Ensure timely processing of tax refunds and proactive and timely resolution of taxpayer grievances. Analyse the grievances and devise strategies not only to resolve the existing pendency but also to address the challenges that are causing the grievances in the first place,' she said at an event here on the occasion of the 166th Income Tax Day. She also requested the Department to undertake region-wise performance reviews to help identify factors hindering performance and streamline operations through indicators such as grievance disposal, Orders Giving Effect (OGE) issuance, rectification completion and processing of condonation cases under Section 119. The Finance Minister also congratulated the Department for its commendable work in efficiently drafting the New Income Tax Bill, 2025 within the stipulated timeline. She appreciated that the Department is actively addressing the recommendations received from the Select Committee. Looking ahead, the Finance Minister emphasised the importance of continuing this momentum, reaffirming the potential for further technological advancements to enhance consistent and efficient service delivery. She encouraged the Department to reaffirm its duty to serve taxpayers with fairness, empathy and professionalism, earning public trust not just through policy but through conduct. 'The CBDT must ensure that we provide adequate support to the staff and officers in terms of better workspaces and residential accommodations, so they don't have to commute in difficult situations and conditions. I would emphasise that the CBDT and the Department of Revenue prioritise the swift development of family accommodations and improved workspaces,' said the Finance Minister.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Consolidate reforms, focus on key ops, FM Nirmala Sitharaman tells CBDT
Consolidate reforms, focus on key ops, FM Nirmala Sitharaman tells CBDT NEW DELHI: The income tax department and the revenue department must consolidate reforms and focus on key operational priorities in the areas identified in June this year, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday. "I would want the CBDT and the department of revenue to continue focussed work on the areas identified in June 2025," Sitharaman said at 166th Income Tax Day celebrations. FM recalled the five areas that included accelerating the disposal of disputed tax demands pending before the faceless appellate authorities and ensure timely resolution of litigation backlog. It also includes identifying and withdrawing departmental appeals falling below the revised monetary threshold announced during the 2024-25 Budget within the next three months. "I would want these cleared within the next three months," said Sitharaman, adding that this was identified among the key focus areas during the principal chief commissioners meeting in June 2025. Among the other key areas, it was also agreed to ensure timely processing of tax refunds and proactive and timely resolution of taxpayer grievance, analyse the grievances and devise strategies not only to resolve the existing pendency but also to address the challenges that are causing the grievances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The fifth area was to undertake region wise performance reviews to help identify factors affecting performance and streamline operations through indicators such as grievance disposal and orders giving effect (OGE). "The delay in giving OGE (orders giving effect) issuance is not explainable," Sitharaman said and urged the department to accelerate the process of issuing OGEs. FM also said the CBDT must focus on developing its technological capabilities to ensure more effective management of systems and IT related issues. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
FM Sitharaman flays tax officials, says OGE issuance delays 'unpardonable'
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on the 166th Income Tax Day on Thursday, sharply criticised delays in the issuance of Orders Giving Effect (OGEs), calling them 'unpardonable,' and urged the income tax department to act decisively on five priority areas identified during a high-level review in June 2025. OGE refers to the implementation of appellate or court decisions by tax officers. It ensures that the outcomes—such as refunds, reassessments, or adjustments—are formally carried out based on the ruling. 'After all the decisions are taken, the delay in OGE issuance is just not explainable. But we have a category—would you believe it? You have a category of OGE issuance delay. Why pray? The decisions are all done. You just have to issue the OGE. Unpardonable,' she said, addressing senior officials. Reinforcing the need for accountability, she said that good policies alone are not enough. What matters, actually, is timely execution. Referring to the progress made in redrafting the Income Tax Act, she added, 'For a group or the CBDT, which is able to reduce five lakh words of the 1961 Act within a matter of three months to give me a draft bill which is half the size of that earlier 1961 Act… you're able to do that, but you can't issue OGEs? What's going on?' Recalling the key action points from the June 2025 review, Sitharaman said: 'I would recall five of them (including the issue of OGE), which I would think are important for all of us to re-look at—not because things have changed from then to now, June 2025 to now, but to refresh ourselves that these were things which all of us spoke about together.' The first, she said, is to 'accelerate disposal of disputed tax demands pending before the faceless appellate authorities and ensure timely resolution of litigation backlog.' Second, departments must 'identify and withdraw departmental appeals falling below the revised monetary threshold announced during the Union Budget 2024–2025 within the next three months.' The Union Budget 2024–25 raised the monetary thresholds for filing departmental appeals in tax-related cases, setting the new limits at ₹60 lakh for tribunals, ₹2 crore for High Courts, and ₹5 crore for the Supreme Court. These enhanced limits apply to disputes under Direct Taxes, as well as legacy cases in Excise and Service Tax. The third priority is to 'ensure timely processing of tax refunds and proactive and timely resolution of taxpayer grievances,' said the Minister. Fourth, departments must 'analyse the grievances and devise strategies not only to resolve the existing pendency but also to address the challenges that are causing the grievances in the first place.' And fifth, Sitharaman said, is to 'undertake region-wise performance reviews to help identify factors hindering performance and streamline operations through indicators such as grievance disposal and orders giving effect issuance.' Calling the Income Tax Day 'the moment when we reaffirm the unsaid social contract between the state and the taxpayer,' Sitharaman said this contract must not be allowed to 'fray at the edges' or 'become loose, become diluted.' She urged officials to raise the benchmark and ensure that the reform process is matched by efficient delivery on the ground. In addition, the Finance Minister lauded the drafting of the new Income Tax Bill as the first-ever comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act since 1961. She said that several members of the select committee of the Lok Sabha had informally appreciated the drafting of the IT Bill 2025. She expressed hope that 'Parliament actually looks at the good work done… we will welcome the suggestions by honourable members and… expect with enough engagement, discussion, and debate in the House… this bill… passes through Parliament's scrutiny.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Income Tax Day observance programme held at Aaykar Bhawan in Kochi
Kochi: The state income tax department organised an Income Tax Day observance programme at Aaykar Bhawan in Kochi on Thursday. The function began with a one-minute silence, marking a respect for former chief minister V S Achuthanandan who passed away on Monday. Mohanlal was the chief guest. Income tax principal chief commissioner (Kerala & Lakshadweep) M Anil Kumar and director general (investigation) P Selvaganesh were also present. Mohanlal launched the state income tax department's official website. The sessions began with the screening of 'The Chairman Speaks', featuring a message from Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman. Selvaganesh delivered the opening address, highlighting the department's technological advancements and its citizen-centric approach. Officers and staff presented cultural programmes.
