The Ministry of Finance has issued a press release dated 8th December 2017 stating a complaint was received making serious allegations against a Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax for harassing a taxpayer in a scrutiny case with malafide intention. The officer was alleged to have demanded bribe through the taxpayer’s Chartered Accountant for favourably completing the assessment. It is stated that on examination of the case records, serious lapses and irregularities were found which led credence to the allegations made against the officer. It is stated that the Department has zero tolerance to such malpractices and corruption and that pending investigation, the officer has since been placed under suspension

The Ministry of Finance has issued a press release dated 8th December 2017 together with an order of the same date issued u/s 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act) stating that the due date under section 139AA for taxpayers having Aadhaar Number or Enrolment Number to link the same with Permanent Account Number (PAN) has been extended till 31.03.2018

According to a press report, two IRS Officers, who are accused by the CBI in a FIR of having received bribes of Rs. 5 crore each from a company named Sterling Biotech, have been empaneled as Chief Commissioners of Income-tax. Both officers have been interrogated by the CBI and the investigation is still going on. Citizens have expressed shock as to how such allegedly tainted officials have been appointed to high positions of power and influence

The CBDT has sent a strong message to all unscrupulous AOs that it will no longer tolerate their shenanigans of harassing taxpayers with a view to extort bribes. The usual modus operandi of such AO’s is to conduct roving inquiries and threaten to make huge additions unless the hapless taxpayer agrees to pay a bribe. The CBDT has put an end to this nefarious practice by directing that all cases where a limited scrutiny is converted into a full scrutiny should be backed with an order sheet entry in which reasons are given. The approval of the Pr CIT has also been made a precondition. An officer who defied this directive has been placed under suspension as his action gave rise to a “very strong suspicion of mala fide intentions“

The decision of the Government to set up a high-level task force to draft a New Direct Tax Legislation has been welcomed by tax professionals and taxpayers. It is appreciated that experienced professionals with an in-depth and practical understanding of Direct Taxes have been inducted into the task force. Their contribution towards the drafting of the new legislation will be invaluable

The CBDT has vide Order Nos. 200 and 201 of 2017 dated 16.11.2017 ordered the postings and transfers of several officers in the grade of Assistant, Deputy, Additional and Joint Commissioner of Income-tax with immediate effect and until further orders

Hon’ble Sushil Chandra, the Chairman, CBDT & Special Secretary to the Government of India, has addressed an irate letter dated 14th November, 2017 to all Pr. Chief Commissioners and Director Generals in which he has expressed grave dissatisfaction at the failure of the department to redress public grievances (CPGRAMs) in a timely & proper manner

The CBDT has issued Order No. 196 of 2017 dated 13th November 2017 by which it has stated that the President has appointed several Income Tax Officers To the grade of Assistant Commissioner f Income-tax (ACIT) on ad hoc basis in the pay matrix of Rs. 56,100-1,77,500 with immediate effect and for a period of one year