« Top Headlines » Open DEMAT Account in 24 hrs  Budget 2024 makes new income tax regime more attractive: See how much taxes you can now save  ITR filing 2024: New vs old income tax regimes, 6 key things to consider while filing your tax return  These five technical glitches may impact your Income tax return (ITR) filing. Know here  ITR filing 2023-24: How to optimise Section 80D deductions at the time of filing tax returns  ITR filing 2023-24: Top 7 mistakes to avoid for hassle-free income-tax return filing this year  Income tax returns for FY 2023-24: Keep these 8 tax law changes in mind while filing ITR this year  ITR Filing 2024: Know who can and cannot file income tax returns using ITR-1 this year  Income Tax Filing: 10 necessary guidelines that you must be aware of  Why you should file your income tax returns before July 31  What is Form 26AS? How to download Form 26AS to file Income Tax Return (ITR)  Income Tax Return: What are the alternatives to Form 16 that can be used while filing ITR? «  Mauritius tax treaty in firing line again... I-T to trap business class travellers... » Exporters get self-declaration power October, 23rd 2006 The finance ministry has introduced an accredited clients programme for exporters which allows clearance of imported products on a self-declaration basis without the examination of documents and consignments. The programme, which will soon be expanded to cover exports, is likely to replace the commerce ministrys incentive scheme which allows similar privilege to status-holding export houses. According to official sources, the foreign trade policy of the commerce ministry allows self declaration on the basis of volumes exported which is a narrow criteria. The finance ministrys accredited clients programme is based on 35 parameters which include not only volume but other criteria such as the items being traded and the destination involved. The finance ministry introduced its risk management system in 11 customs locations with electronic data interchange (EDI) facilities this year. The system, while allowing clearance by self-declaration to accredited clients, will conduct random checks to ensure compliance. Exporters are already complaining that a number of customs houses are not recognising the eligibility accorded by the foreign trade policy to status-holding export houses for clearance the basis of self-declaration. Customs houses claim that they have not received any instructions from the Central Board of Excise and Customs. According to finance ministry officials, exporters should come and register themselves in the accredited clients programme of the finance ministrys risk management system (RMS) to get over the problem. Officials said while the facility of self declaration is available for imports, the process of identifying the parameters for exports was on. As soon as we have the parameters for accreditation for exports in place, we will expand our programme, an official said. RMS having features like system-based assessment of risks and no assessment, no examination for trusted clients, would also benefit in terms of increased accountability, transparency, uniformity and expeditious clearance of goods on basis of focussed, consistent, structured and scientific risk analysis.