Fin Min says expect changes in Saral from next yr

The finance ministry, which came under severe criticism from tax experts and also from the Congress Party for the new form, today demonstrated on how this form was different to the old saral form and was easier to fill-up .

Speaking to the media during this exercise, the revenue secretary said the new four-page form, that replaces the one-page saral form was meant for only this year and would be optional for filing returns.

Finance ministry officials however did not give any indications on whether the intrusive elements of the new form, namely that of disclosing the cash flows of assessees will be done away with. Rather, officials clarified that they would define and clarify the nature of lumpsum investments as mentioned in the new form and pointed out that tax payers need not disclose every minute detail of household expenses.

Chandrashekar said the new form was really ‘‘simple’’ and was self explanatory. He added that it would help both the tax payer and the department.