Taxpayers may know by now one can avoid the queues at bank counters by paying taxes online. Taxes can be paid from the comfort of ones home or office and even on the move.

he National Depository Services Ltd has made available a service called e-payment of taxes through the website https:tin.tin.nsdl.cometaxIndex.html. The website helps one fill a challan for tax payment and then pay it online using a net banking account. The facility is currently available to account holders with 29 banks, which are listed on the website.
But, taxpayers whose banks do not figure in this list need not worry. They can always use the net banking account of another person to make their tax payments.

The move to allow this has been prompted by complaints from assessees both resident and foreign. As per a clarification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), It has been pointed out by such foreign assessees that they do not have a presence in India and, therefore, are not able to meet the know your customer norms of the banks. This has resulted in their inability to open bank accounts and make payment of taxes, through the electronic mode. Representations have also been received from the resident taxpayers highlighting difficulties in availing internet banking facilities of the authorised banks.

The CBDT has decided that an assessee can make electronic payment of taxes also from the account of any other person. However, the challan for making such payment must clearly indicate the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the assessee on whose behalf the payment is made. It is not necessary for the assessee to make payment of taxes from his own account in an authorised bank.

Taxpayers may also note that the authorities are considering introduction of alternative online payment modes such as credit cards and debit cards.

As per the CBDT circular, payment of tax electronically has been defined to mean payment of tax by way of (i) internet banking facility of the authorised bank; or (ii) credit or debit cards. Card payments are not allowed yet, but could be before long.