Taking further steps to make all Income Tax (I-T) department related proceedings online, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) constituted a high-level committee to prepare a quick roadmap for the implementation of this procedure.

The "faceless and nameless" e-assessment procedure is set for a pan-India roll out for the taxpayers from 2018. The CBDT, the policy-making body for the I-T department, notified a nine-member committee — headed by a principal chief commissioner rank officer — and has set February 28, 2018 as deadline for submitting its report.

In April this year, it was reported that all tax department related proceedings would be done online.

How 'faceless and nameless' e-assessment procedure will work:

The concept of a "faceless and nameless e-assessment procedure" is aimed to reduce taxpayers' interaction with the officials to make the process more transparent and to eliminate corruption.

"As such, there is an imperative need to re-deploy the available manpower in the light of the proposed e-assessment," the CBDT order said.

To strengthen Operation Clean Money:

The committee will also "recommend distribution of manpower between assessment units, investigation wing and DG Systems (the technical wing of the CBDT) in view of the new areas assigned to the investigation wings in matters related to Operation Clean Money." The government launched the drive to check black money post demonetisation.

Going paperless:
Under a pilot project run by the CBDT in a few major cities, a blueprint prepared earlier this year had showed the number of taxpayers opting for paperless assessment rose by 78 per cent over the last three years.

An official CBDT statement had told tax assessing officers to "be encouraged to maximise e-assessment in a phased manner and to ensure that work be completed online so that there is complete transparency."
To boost confidence among honest taxpayers:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked I-T employees to create an environment that instills confidence among honest taxpayers and uproots corruption.
How to register online:

A new e-proceeding link was recently hosted by the tax department on the e-filing website. (https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in).

Once taxpayers register on the web portal, they will get a confirmation as a text message and an email on their registered mobile number and email ID, indicating success.

What will happen to the existing procedure:

The online procedure will, however, be voluntary and taxpayers can decide whether to opt for e-system or manual submissions of documents by visiting the tax office.