Income tax efiling portal enables Co-browsing feature for taxpayer – Read FAQs

Income tax efiling portal enables Co-browsing feature for taxpayer – Read FAQs

1. What is Co-Browsing and how does it help Taxpayer service?
Co-browsing, also known as collaborative browsing, allows the Helpdesk agents to collaborate with the taxpayer’s browser in real-time, just at the click of a button. Agents can view and securely co navigate the Taxpayer’s browser screen and guide them interactively to deliver real-time and personalized support.

2. What can I do with Co-Browsing?
During a co-browsing session :

• Helpdesk agent gets an accurate visual representation of the Taxpayers  browser screen.
• Agents can also annotate the taxpayers view of the screen, help to fill out ITR  forms, other Statutory forms, change settings, complete transactions, find help and reference materials for tax payers and even upload documents
• Agents can help taxpayer to navigate, scroll, type text, and highlight areas of interest on the same browser tab in real-time.
• Co-browsing is simple to use. It can be easily combined with live chat, phone to resolve the customer issue faster.

3. Does co-browsing allow the agent to view other data?
No. Co-browsing does not allow the agent to see any other data on the taxpayers desktop or computer. Also, the Taxpayer need to approve the request before the agents can start the co-browsing session. Taxpayer can also end the co-browsing session at any time if they wish to terminate the discussion.

4. How to get start Co-Browsing session from Helpdesk agent end?

• Agent will receive call & CRM pop up Infront of Agent.
• Agent will talk to taxpayer and guide taxpayer where to locate co-browse button on income tax portal. 
• Taxpayer to generate PIN and share with Agent.
• Agent to click on CB button on CRM which will take him to co browse URL. 
• Agent to enter PIN shared by taxpayer in screen  displayed to Agent and click on start session button.
• Once Agent clicks on Start Session button co-browse session will start & Agent can guide  taxpayer.
• After the Taxpayer gets the answers, he/she can click the STOP button anytime. Once the session has ended, the Agent will no longer see the Taxpayer’s browser

5. How Co-browsing Works
When the taxpayer starts a session, the browser sends a request to the Co-Browser proxy.

• The request is then modified in a way that it looks as if the original request came from corbrowse.incometax.gov.in.
• This request is then sent to the original site that the leader wants to co-browse. 
• The website sends back the response to the Co-Browser proxy. 
• The Co-Browser proxy then modifies the data so that it can be loaded into an iframe that rests on top the original page. 
• Both the leader and the follower now interact with the website as it is loaded within the iframe. From this point, there’s only communication between the user’s browsers and the proxy, and the requests don’t continuously have to be sent to the original website anymore.

6. Advantages of  using of co-browsing

• co-browsing solution requires no installations or plugins
• seamless navigation, reduce average handling time and boost resolution rates
• Highlight and annotate important points
• Easy use with easy integration, hence increased customer satisfaction

7. What is the difference between Co-browsing and Screen Sharing?

• Effect of reduced timeline for filing TDS Correction statements on TDS Credits
• Accounting principles and provisions of law do not permit addition of opening balance – ITAT
• Penalty for late supply of goods allowable deduction u/s 37 being not a crime or prohibited activity
• Interest received from Cooperative banks allowable deduction u/s 80P to a Cooperative Society
• SC to decide distinction in employees & employer contribution to PF, ESI for allowability u/s 43B