VDIS inspires tax mobile scheme

Equipped with a computer, mobile phone and adequate staff,the new scheme will provide services ranging from filling up of income tax forms to securing a permanent account number (PAN) to the tax payers, all under one roof.

The ambitious scheme, mooted by the Delhi income tax department, is part of the department’s efforts to become more tax-payer friendly and is aimed at assisting the tax payer.

“File, Smile and Go” and “Help Us to Help You” are some of the catchy slogans that would invite the people to the tax mobile scheme which is likely to be functional from the beginning of the next fiscal year. The department is also planning to discuss with some banks including the State Bank of India to station a bank official in the van so that tax collection could also be done on the spot, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi high court has extended its earlier order asking the income tax department not to conduct any inquiry into declarations made under the VDIS till March 5 this year.

The order covers, among other things, declarations of silver utensils and coins made between December 19 and December 31 last year.

A division bench comprising Justice Mahinder Narain and Justice S K Mahajan extended the stay, granted earlier on December 19 last, on inquiry into the mode of acquisitions of silver utensils and coins till next date of hearing as government failed to file the reply.

The petitioner, Chamber of Chartered Accountants (CCA), has sought the quashing of a circular issued on November 25 by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) allowing inquiry into the sources of earnings of unusual nature by income tax officials.