The government has launched the new earnings tax portal as a aspect of its digitization journey and with a view to facilitate ease of compliance for taxpayers.
Some appealing features of the new portal are:
- Login to the portal is now Aadhaar and TAN-enabled in addition to PAN.
- Resetting of password is less complicated now with OTP generated by way of Aadhaar-linked mobile quantity – OTPs to e-mail have been discontinued.
- Static passwords introduced – substantially enhancing ease of operating when taxpayers are in low mobile network variety though require to comprehensive earnings tax transactions which typically call for OTPs.
- To support taxpayers keep away from logging into any phishing web page, facility of adding a personalised message beneath “Your Profile” section acting as a “Secure Access Message” at the time of logging in has been activated.
- A complete dashboard has been place in spot, enabling taxpayers to determine pending actions, status of grievance filed, year-sensible tax returns, taxes deposited and so forth. While these features had been out there earlier beneath distinct tabs, organising the very same beneath a single dashboard has enhanced the ease of navigating.
- The “Your Profile” tab has been made more detailed and involves edit alternative for citizenship. This would be of important support to taxpayers (specially Overseas Citizens of India) who had to file a letter with tax officer to update modify of citizenship in PAN database.
- The profile section also involves alternative to update facts such as bank accounts (and tag the bank account exactly where the refund is to be credited), demat accounts, sources of earnings which will be utilized in pre-filling their ITR right after needed returns are filed by other stakeholders such as employers, banks and so forth. This would support taxpayers to keep away from updating such info year-on-year in their tax returns.
- Taxpayers have an alternative of adding their Chartered Accountants who would be capable to view the facts and take needed action on behalf of the taxpayer such as filing grievances, filing Form 15CB and so forth. right after access is offered to them by the taxpayers. The taxpayer may perhaps also authorize an additional individual to act on its behalf if the taxpayer is not capable of acting on their personal due to specified factors.
- Taxpayers have an alternative to authenticate notice/ order/ letter issued by tax authorities on the home web page of the portal. This would support them verify that communication received is genuine and avoid them from acting on fraudulent notices.
Filing of tax returns
As earlier, the filing of earnings tax returns is out there beneath each on the web and offline modes. Taxpayers who have numerous information points to fill in would favor the offline mode, due to the fact the timeout period for one session is 40 minutes.
Below are the methods to file and submit the ITR by way of the on the web mode:
1: Log in to the portal (https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal ) and go to e-File > Income Tax Returns > File Income Tax Return
2: Select “Assessment Year”, “Filing type”, “Status” as applicable
3: Select Continue if you are sure about the ITR form or you can click on “proceed” to support locate your ITR
4: Once you have chosen the ITR, pick explanation for filing & fill the applicable fields of the ITR and make the payment if applicable
5: Click on preview and submit return
6. Click proceed to verification
7. Select verification mode
8: Enter EVC/OTP for e verifying ITR OR Send the signed ITR V to CPC for verification.
For offline filing, the JSON utility has to be downloaded, due to the fact excel/java utility has been discontinued.
Overall, the new portal offers a refreshing really feel and has offered a wider bouquet of services beneath one umbrella. The enhancements offered to the current IT-enabled filings is a welcome move. Introduction of chatbot and mobile apps would go a lengthy way in easing compliances and enhancing the taxpayers’ expertise.
(By Saraswathi Kasturirangan, Partner, Deloitte India Vijay Bharech, Senior Manager, and Priyanka Bhutada, Deputy Manager with Deloitte Haskins and Sells LLP)