In continuation to its outreach programmes across the UT of J&K and Ladakh, the Taxpayers awareness campaign, ‘Mulaqaat’ was held today in Bandipora district.Principal Commissioner MP Singh was the chief guest on the occasion while Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad was also present on the occasion.The officers of Income Tax Deptt and GST deptt interacted with the taxpayers, GST registered business community and members of Panchayat Raj Institutions. The objective of the programme was to take feedback and concrete suggestions from the stakeholders and listen to their grievances besides spreading awareness amongst the taxpayers regarding Income Tax Slab rates and other issues with regard to GST.Principal Commissioner of Income Tax further emphasised that economic development without financial discipline cannot bring self respect among people. He said the first step towards financial discipline is to pay their due taxes and file their ITRs which are a very essential process. He reiterated that there is no scope of any bias or harassment any more under the new transparent and accountable tax regime.He further spoke about the Faceless scheme under which all scrutiny proceedings would be conducted online to ensure smooth compliance and transparency of the proceedings. Singh emphasised that for redressing the genuine grievances of the taxpayers, officers are resolved to go the extra mile, sit for late hours and are actually doing so.
Beyond this, feedback from the people was taken by the officers regarding taxation issues and their aspirations from the Union Budget. The local traders and small shopkeepers were also informed about sections of the Income Tax Act, 1961, under which they can avail of the presumptive taxation scheme under which no books of accounts are required to be maintained and taxable income is calculated on presumptive basis.He said if people require guidance regarding filing of tax returns or to understand tax laws and provisions, they can contact the officials of the department any time online or offline.Deputy Commissioner CGST Chandigarh zone Varun Soni threw light on GST and counted its benefits. He gave a detailed Power point presentation regarding GST regimes and explained various forms, provisions and laws demonstrated through PPP mode.A Taxpayers’ Awareness and Facilitation camp was also organised wherein feedback forms were distributed among participants so that the department will incorporate the suggestions in coming plans.Representatives of Business community, Bar Association member, representatives of Employees Union, Senior Citizen members, Contractors' representative, Progressive farmers’ representative, Student leader, Mahila Shakti Kendra member, representative of specially abled persons, Tribal Youth representative interacted with the experts of income tax and GST and presented their suggestions with regard to GST and filing of ITR.