PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
                              GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
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    CBDT ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS FIELD OFFICES REGARDING
ENDEAVOUR TOWARDS A NON-ADVERSARIAL TAX REGIME; EMPHASIS ON
 CLEANLINESS, PUNCTUALITY, TIMELINESS IN APPOINTMENT, AVOIDING
           UNNECESSARY ADJOURNMENTS AMONG OTHERS


                                                       New Delhi, November 7, 2014
                                                                   Kartika 16, 1936


        In its constant endeavour towards a non-adversarial tax regime, the Central
Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued instruction dated 7th November, 2014 to its
field offices. Emphasis has been laid on cleanliness in office, punctuality, timeliness
in appointment and avoiding unnecessary adjournments. Though less that 1% of
returns filed are selected for scrutiny, this area of work has often drawn adversarial
comments. Supervisory officers, have been directed to play a more pro-active role in
monitoring and guiding assessments towards ensuring that high-pitched assessments
without proper basis are not made and that lengthy questionnaires or summons
without due application of mind are avoided. They have been directed to ensure
Inspections and Reviews in accordance with guidelines issued to enable capacity
building within the Department and accountability of the officers.






        In limited scrutiny cases selected on the basis of AIR/CIB/26AS information,
the enquiries will ordinarily be restricted to such information. Refunds are to be
granted in accordance with instructions already issued which provide for grant of
credit of TDS on the basis of evidence submitted by the assessee. Instructions dealing
with recovery/stay of demand and grant of instalments have been reiterated to ensure
that no coercive action is undertaken without disposal of applications for stay.

        Senior officers have been directed to ensure that appeals are filed only on the
merits thereof and not merely on the tax effect involved. Cases have separately been
brought to the attention of the officers wherein Tribunals / Courts have commented
adversely on frivolous filing of appeals. It has also been decided that in multi-CCIT
Charges, the decision to file a Reference before the High Court would be taken by two
CCsIT.






       All supervisory authorities have been directed to enable an effective grievance
redressal system in their jurisdictions and also that the timelines prescribed under the
Citizen's Charter, the CPGRAMS, etc. for redressing grievances should be invariably
followed.


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