CBDT to launch new Income Tax E-filing website from 7th June 2021
The Income Tax Department is going to launch a new E-filing website i.e. www.incometax.gov.in on 7th June 2021. In preparation of the transition to the new system, the existing E-filing portal will not be available from 1st June 2021 to 6th June 2021 to both taxpayers as well as Departmental Officers.
Currently, Income Tax Officers including Assessing Officers interact and communicate with taxpayers through E-proceedings module of E-filing portal either directly or through NeAC / NFAC in cases covered under Faceless Assessment Scheme.
The e-proceeding module was first introduced by the CBDT in 2017 to reduce physical interaction between Assessing Officers and the taxpayers. Recently, E-assessment Scheme 2019 was renamed as Faceless Assessment Scheme 2019. In August 2020, CBDT directed that from 13.08.2020 all assessment shall be faceless and orders to be passed by the National e-Assessment Centre.
The various functions presently carried out through e-proceedings are as under:
(i) issue of show cause notices to taxpayers and receiving response of taxpayers
(ii) Conducting of video conferencing or grant of adjournment
(iii) Issue of questionnaires, summons or letters to taxpayers
(iv) Responding to E-Nivaran or outstanding tax demand etc.
(v) Communicating final order in Assessment, Appeal, Exemptions, Penalty etc.
Features of new website will be as under:
- New taxpayer friendly portal integrated with immediate processing of Income Tax Returns(ITRs) to issue quick refunds to taxpayers;
- All interactions and uploads or pending actions will be displayed on a single dashboard for follow-up action by taxpayer;
- Free of cost ITR preparation software available online and offline with interactive questions to help taxpayers fill ITR even without any tax knowledge, with prefilling, for minimizing data entry effort;
- New call center for taxpayer assistance for immediate answers to taxpayer queries with FAQs, Tutorials, Videos and chatbot/live agent;
- All key portal functions on desktop will be available on Mobile App which will be enabled subsequently for full anytime access on mobile network;
- New online tax payment system on new portal will be enabled subsequently with multiple new payment options using net banking, UPI, Credit Card and RTGS/NEFT from any account of taxpayer in any bank, for easy payment of taxes.
As per Instruction issued by the Directorate of Income Tax (System) in this regard, Income Tax Officers have been advised not to fix any compliance dates during these 6 days or if already scheduled any dates then adjourn their compliances and reschedule such hearing or compliances only from 10th June 2021 onwards to give taxpayers time to respond to the new system.
However Income Tax Business Application (ITBA) systems and CPC systems shall continue to work for assessment related functions. However all related orders or notices issued during intervening period from 1st June 2021 to 6th June 2021 shall be visible to the taxpayers only when the new portal goes live on 7th June 2021.
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