TAX TALK | IT Deptt’s outreach programme guides DDOs on tax compliance

Srinagar, Dec 14: An outreach programme-cum-interactive session was organised by the Income Tax Department, J&K in collaboration with district administration, Anantnag at the Dak Bungalow, Khanabal.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that the Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Srinagar, Rahul Padha chaired the event along with other officers of the department including Income Tax Officer, Udhampur, M L Dogra; Income Tax Officer, TDS Jammu and Srinagar, Karamvir; and Tax Recovery Officer, Srinagar, Ankit Dhaka.

More than 250 DDOs, Account Officers and government employees of various departments attended the interactive session.

M L Dogra kicked off the proceedings by welcoming the attendees and briefing the audience about the importance of filing ITRs and paying their taxes honestly. He also apprised the audience about the territorial jurisdiction of the Income Tax Department of their region.

Later, Karamvir took the stage and sensitised the DDOs and Account Officers about their roles and duties regarding compliance with TDS provisions.

They were also advised to file their quarterly TDS returns timely to avoid late filing fees and penalties.

Ankit Dhaka urged the DDOs present to issue Form-16 to their respective employees after due diligence and after carrying out proper verification of documents submitted by them in support of eligible deductions as per the IT Act.

He said that the department had noticed that a large number of employees claim deduction under Section 10(13A) which relates to ‘House Rent Allowance’ being paid by their employer to help them meet living costs in rented accommodation, by furnishing bogus rent receipts despite living in accommodation owned by them.

Ankit said that to keep a check on such bogus deductions, the DDOs should ask their employees for proper documentary evidence like rent receipts, rent agreements, PAN of landlord in case payment of rent exceeds Rs 1 lakh per year, Aadhaar Card to verify the address shown in rent receipts, and bank statement to check actual payment or rent.

He said that only after proper verifications, the benefit of HRA might be given to employees as per eligible limits as mentioned in the section.

Ankit said that, similarly, for other sections such as 80 C (contribution in LIC, PF, tuition fees), 80 CCD, 80D (health insurance), 80 DD (treatment of disability), 80DDB (medical treatment), 80 E (education loan), 80EE/80EEA (a loan for house property), 80 EEB (deduction for the purchase of an electric vehicle), 80 G (donations to trusts and charitable institutions), 80 GGC (donation to political parties), and 80
U (deduction in case of disability), the benefit might be given only to eligible employees after verifying relevant documentary evidence.

He said that as deterrence, departmental proceedings might be initiated against those who resort to furnishing bogus and forged documents in support of their deductions claims.

After discussing all the relevant topics, the queries of the audience about various issues being faced by them while complying with the Income Tax provisions were taken up for discussion and were satisfactorily resolved.

Rahul Padha urged the audience to file their ITRs correctly and timely to avoid any harsh communication from the department along with encouraging others including their family members, relatives, and neighbours to pay their taxes honestly and play an important role in the nation’s progress.

He also thanked the district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Sayeed Fakarudin Abid for their support and for all the necessary arrangements to make the event a success.