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More than "face", it is "mind" (mindset) that needs change. HK doesn't have "faceless" system n yet it is one of most tax-payer friendly IT Depts. W/o that chg, w/b another of series of jumlas from this govt.
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CBDT undergoing significant restructuring for faceless assessment
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CBDT undergoing significant restructuring for faceless assessment
2 simple chg w/do more to make IT taxpayer friendly than all charters n chatter:
1. Make IT Dept liable to pay same kind of penalties n interest charges as taxpayers are when they are wrong.
2. Onus be on IT to prove its contention in rejecting claims n summary assessments.
1. Make IT Dept liable to pay same kind of penalties n interest charges as taxpayers are when they are wrong.
2. Onus be on IT to prove its contention in rejecting claims n summary assessments.
Many will dismiss this as "ranting" of a regular critic but it is factual..even if truth is often unpalatable and bitter - to the ruling classes n their supporters. https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/why-a-taxpayers-charter-is-a-non-starter-120081600939_1.html
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Charter is full of homily-like vision statements such as: Provide prompt, courteous, and professional assistance; treat taxpayers as honest; provide a mechanism for appeal; provide complete and accurate information; provide timely decisions; collect the correct amount of tax;
Charter is full of homily-like vision statements such as: Provide prompt, courteous, and professional assistance; treat taxpayers as honest; provide a mechanism for appeal; provide complete and accurate information; provide timely decisions; collect the correct amount of tax;
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respect privacy of taxpayer; follow due process of law n be no more intrusive than necessary; hold various authorities accountable; provide a complaint system, etc.
How does all this square with reality on ground?
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"be no more intrusive than necessary".. lolz..!
respect privacy of taxpayer; follow due process of law n be no more intrusive than necessary; hold various authorities accountable; provide a complaint system, etc.
How does all this square with reality on ground?
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"be no more intrusive than necessary".. lolz..!
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“The tax terrorism prevailing in the country is dangerous. One can’t run the government by thinking that everyone is a thief.”
That is Mr Modi to businessmen in Jan 2014, when he was not yet PM.
“The tax terrorism prevailing in the country is dangerous. One can’t run the government by thinking that everyone is a thief.”
That is Mr Modi to businessmen in Jan 2014, when he was not yet PM.
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The moment he came to power, govt started issuing strange demand notices n changing tax laws to make them more draconian n with retro effect. When people complained abut tax terrorism, Arun Jaitley resorted to misdirection: opposite of tax terror cannot be a tax haven.
The moment he came to power, govt started issuing strange demand notices n changing tax laws to make them more draconian n with retro effect. When people complained abut tax terrorism, Arun Jaitley resorted to misdirection: opposite of tax terror cannot be a tax haven.
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Sounding exactly like PranabM n PC, he asserted govt w/n let go of what it saw as “legitimate tax demands”. India slapped tax notices on FIIs to extract 40K crore from them under tortuous MAT when that action perversely overrode benefits given under our bilateral tax treaties.
Sounding exactly like PranabM n PC, he asserted govt w/n let go of what it saw as “legitimate tax demands”. India slapped tax notices on FIIs to extract 40K crore from them under tortuous MAT when that action perversely overrode benefits given under our bilateral tax treaties.
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India became laughing stock of world’s busi-fin community. The pre-elec promise to end tax terrorism sounded like a cruel joke. It has got worse every year.
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I was at receiving end of missiles from many in MGSM then but as soon as AJ did a u-turn, they all went silent.
India became laughing stock of world’s busi-fin community. The pre-elec promise to end tax terrorism sounded like a cruel joke. It has got worse every year.
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I was at receiving end of missiles from many in MGSM then but as soon as AJ did a u-turn, they all went silent.
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Under Sec 132 n 132A of IT Act, dept c/conduct a search n seizure (raid). In 2017, these sections were amended. Now dept c/raid you if it has “reason to believe” or “reason to suspect”. But it doesn't have to disclose reason to any authority or even appellate tribunal.
Under Sec 132 n 132A of IT Act, dept c/conduct a search n seizure (raid). In 2017, these sections were amended. Now dept c/raid you if it has “reason to believe” or “reason to suspect”. But it doesn't have to disclose reason to any authority or even appellate tribunal.
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For this, Sec 132(1) was amended retrospectively from April 1, 1962, n Sec 132 (1A) from October 1, 1975! Is this a just fair, accountable system that charter is talking abt?
For this, Sec 132(1) was amended retrospectively from April 1, 1962, n Sec 132 (1A) from October 1, 1975! Is this a just fair, accountable system that charter is talking abt?
Under Sec 276CC, failing to file tax returns in time attracts rigorous imprisonment for 6 mo to 7 yrs + fine if tax amt > 1 lakh - even if taxpayer pays up dues on own, along with penalty. A just-fair system that charter promises to jail late filer, who is clearly not tax evader?
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GST imposes criminal penalties for simple mistakes to frauds. GST commissioners c/arrest people w/o registering an FIR n businessmen don't have option of anticipatory bail. These n many other punitive Sections were introduced by Modi govt to create an “anti-corruption” image.
GST imposes criminal penalties for simple mistakes to frauds. GST commissioners c/arrest people w/o registering an FIR n businessmen don't have option of anticipatory bail. These n many other punitive Sections were introduced by Modi govt to create an “anti-corruption” image.
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As tax terrorism increased sharply, more and more people started complaining. T Mohandas Pai, former CFO of Infosys n die-hard fan of regime, was driven to state bitterly:
As tax terrorism increased sharply, more and more people started complaining. T Mohandas Pai, former CFO of Infosys n die-hard fan of regime, was driven to state bitterly:
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M.R. Venkatesh, a CA, said: Those of us who handle IT dept ST or Customs or excise dept on a daily basis can see that the kind of powers given to the officers today … but with no accountability. And they have gone berserk.
M.R. Venkatesh, a CA, said: Those of us who handle IT dept ST or Customs or excise dept on a daily basis can see that the kind of powers given to the officers today … but with no accountability. And they have gone berserk.
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What was govt’s response? Mr Modi told a business paper:
What was govt’s response? Mr Modi told a business paper:
Strange advice. We w/hv draconian rules, but officials are supposed to use discretion in applying them! In fact, they are not supposed to use discretion n they don’t.
And, tax harassment cann' ever reduce b/c dept has been given stiff revenue targets to feed monster of big govt.
And, tax harassment cann' ever reduce b/c dept has been given stiff revenue targets to feed monster of big govt.
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P Chidambaram was notorious for setting difficult targets n thereby unleashing tax terrorism. This govt is even more focused n determined. I am told there are even targets for issuing prosecution notices n other penal provisions, which are monitored weekly by New Delhi.
P Chidambaram was notorious for setting difficult targets n thereby unleashing tax terrorism. This govt is even more focused n determined. I am told there are even targets for issuing prosecution notices n other penal provisions, which are monitored weekly by New Delhi.
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To sum up, under this govt, tax laws have become more draconian, n govt itself is setting stiff, unrealistic targets for tax officials, who have got more powers to harass us. And so, dept’s attitude, as a whole, is more n more punitive n tax terrorism has increased.
To sum up, under this govt, tax laws have become more draconian, n govt itself is setting stiff, unrealistic targets for tax officials, who have got more powers to harass us. And so, dept’s attitude, as a whole, is more n more punitive n tax terrorism has increased.
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This charter is latest addition to long list of deceitful slogans, coinages, memes, false promises, and insincere announcements that (all) govts excel in.
- @Moneylifers
This charter is latest addition to long list of deceitful slogans, coinages, memes, false promises, and insincere announcements that (all) govts excel in.
- @Moneylifers
