Ladakh residents get tax benefit insights in IT Deptt's awareness programme

Leh, Oct 18: The Income Tax Department of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh conducted a major outreach programme at the DC Office Leh today, focusing on raising awareness about special tax provisions for Ladakh residents, particularly Section 10(26) benefits.

Led by Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Amritsar, Lal Chand and Principal Commissioner Vikram Sahay, the programme drew over 100 participants, including government officials, hoteliers, contractors, and local business owners.

"Our primary goal is to address the concerns and apprehensions of Ladakh residents regarding tax matters," said Lal Chand, emphasizing the department's commitment to taxpayer assistance.

Joint Commissioner Rahul Padha highlighted critical issues concerning email communications. "We're seeing numerous cases where outdated or inactive email addresses lead to communication failures, resulting in higher tax deductions," he explained.

Principal Commissioner Vikram Sahay announced plans for a dedicated TDS workshop for Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) and other stakeholders. "Regular email updates with banks are crucial for timely responses to tax inquiries," he added.

The programme addressed numerous concerns from participants, including procedures for claiming Section 10(26) benefits, tax implications for officials posted outside Ladakh, pension-related tax deductions, and general compliance queries.

Income Tax Officer Lokesh Yadav, SSP Leh Shruti Arora, and ACR Leh Shabir Hussain were among the senior officials present at the session. Participants received detailed information about various tax provisions, exemptions, and deductions specifically available for Ladakh residents.

The outreach initiative forms part of the Income Tax Department's broader strategy to improve voluntary tax compliance and enhance taxpayer services in the region.