No. PR – 176
December 20, 2021
New Delhi
Faceless Assessment scheme is a step to achieve Ease of Doing Business: PHD Chamber
Mr. Mukul Bagla, Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has appreciated the faceless assessment scheme which has to increase the efficiency, transparency and accountability in the assessment process by introducing team-based assessment with dynamic jurisdiction.
Under the scheme, most of the orders have been passed within reasonable time after the assesse responded to the query, saving the assesse from anxious and tense moments, as a result it will improve the ease of doing business, said Mr. Mukul Bagla.
Shri Mukul Bagla said that efficiency of time for tax professionals has been increased as the entire process can be completed from the office and the entire process is faceless, which would enhance digitalization and paperless assessment.
There shall be proper system for training of the Assessing officers in respect of preparation of questionnaire, which should be concise and relevant to the assessee keeping in view the size of the company and the nature of its business. Also when the assessee is a large corporate, unnecessary and exhaustive details shall be avoided said by Mr. Bagla.
The role of the review unit has to be expanded and verified with the details filed by the assessee in connection with such proposed addition and unit should be approved by the addition and that addition should be warranty through the documents available on record said by Mr. Bagla.
Mr. Bagla, suggested that the procedures laid down in section 144B of the Income Tax Act shall be strictly followed specially in connection with issue of show-cause notice, sharing of draft assessment order, allowing sufficient time to the assessee to give reply to the show-cause notices, etc.
In cases when some addition / disallowance is proposed by the Assessing Officer, it should be mandatory and not discretionary for the Assessing Officer to allow virtual hearing, if requested by the assesse, he added.
Mr. Mukul Bagla said that the faceless Assessing Officers have even imposed penalty u/s 270A as there is no co-ordination between faceless officer and rest of the income tax department after assessment order has been set-aside by High Court.
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Media Division
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry