The CBDT has vide Order No. 5 of 2016 dated 20.01.2016 promoted several officers in the grade of Principal Commissioner of Income-tax (HAG, Pay Scale Rs. 67,000-79,000) to the post of Chief Commissioner of Income-tax (HAG+) in the pay scale of Rs. 75,500-80,000 for the panel year 2015-16 with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post and until further orders. The promotions are on ad hoc basis

The CBDT has issued a press release dated 15.01.2016 in which it is stated that reducing litigation with the taxpayers has been a key focus area for the Income Tax Department. It is pointed out that several initiatives have been taken by the Central Board of Direct Taxes in the last three months up to December 2015 to significantly reduce disputes and provide relief to taxpayers facing long standing litigation. A list of all those initiatives are set out in the press release

The CBDT has issued an Office Memorandum dated 14.01.2016 stating that in order to provide relief to the small taxpayers, refunds up to Rs.5,000 and refunds in cases where arrear demand is up to Rs.5,000 may be issued without any adjustment of outstanding arrears under section 245 of the Act during FY 2015-16. It is stated that as on 09.01.2016, there are 64,938 cases of refunds below Rs.5,000 involving Rs.1,148.14 Crore in non-CASS cases for AYs 2013-14 and 2014-15 pending in AST. The CBDT has directed the Assessing Officers to issue these refunds without any adjustment of arrears under Section 245. Similarly, the non-CASS cases for those assessment years where the refund amount is more than Rs.5,000 but the outstanding arrear is Rs. 6,000/- or less have been directed to be processed for issue of refund without any adjustment under Section 245. It is further directed that the above exercise should be completed before 31st January, 2016 and a compliance report be sent to the Member (Revenue).

AIFTP has announced the release of a publication titled “212 Frequently Asked Questions on Survey – Direct Taxes” by Dr. K. Lakshaman, Member of Legislative Assembly, Hyderabad

The CBDT has issued an advisory in which it is pointed out that instances of huge default of ‘Short Deduction’ have been observed due to wrong quoting of 197 certificate number. The scenario of wrong 197 certificate generally arises when the deductor accepts from deductee a manually issued lower deduction certificate by assessing officer & quotes the same in TDS statements. It is explained that CPC(TDS) has provided the facility of validating the 197 certificate to the deductors and that if the 197 certificate is not valid as per TRACES validation, the deductor should always insist upon an ITD system generated certificate having a unique 10 digit alpha numeric number. The entire procedure for this is explained in the advisory

The CBDT has issued a Guidance Note dated 31.12.2015 to explain the manner of ensuring compliance with the reporting requirements provided in Rules 114F to 114H and Form 61B of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 which deal with Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and Common Reporting Standard (CRS)