Speeding up the process of filing income-tax returns and making it more convenient, a software called Uttam Sewa has been prepared by the department concerned to facilitate the work of over three lakh assessee across city and Mohali.

Scheduled to be launched in the city by July 15, the software will not only ensure a simpler filing process, but also speed up disposal of refund cases, which usually entail a waiting period of a year or more. I-T authorities claim the refund would now be done within three months of filing returns. The software will also allow immediate reflection of returns on internet, officials claimed.

While the assessees and their tax consultants are busy preparing the returns that are to be filed by July 3, so are the offices of commissioner of income tax (CIT) I and II that are gearing up for the software launch.

As a pilot project, this programme will be launched in five cities identified by Central Board of Direct Taxes this year. Chandigarh is one of them and we will cover range IV and V of CIT I and entire range of CIT II. CBDT chairman and member secretary are likely to launch the same on July 13 or 14, AK Kaushal, commissioner of income-tax I, who also heads the committee formed to execute the new programme, said.

Tentatively, there are 2.75 lakh assesses till now. Since we expect an addition of 10% every year, the new software will cater to almost three lakh people, added Kaushal.

Enquiries revealed that 25 to 30 special counters would be set up between July 25 to 31 to aid I-T returns. A team of tax returns comparers (TRCs) would also be put on the job.