Hon’ble Sushil Chandra, the Chairman of the CBDT, has issued a directive dated 13th June 2018 to the Principal Commissioners of Income-tax in which the shocking revelation is made that several vigilance complaints against income-tax officials are pending for several years and no action thereon has been taken. It is also stated that there are virtually no cases in which disciplinary proceedings on account of misconduct have been initiated by the department on its own. This indicates that actions which should have been taken by the department on complaints against Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ officers/ officials are not being taken proactively

The CBDT has issued a draft notification dated 19th June 2018 by which it proposes to amend Rule 10CB of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 in respect of computation of interest income pursuant to secondary adjustment made under section 92CE of Income-tax Act, 1961. The CBDT has invited comments and suggestions from all taxpayers and tax professionals

The CBDT has issued an office order no. 90 of 2018 dated 11th June 2018 by which it has regularized the promotion of several officers to the grade of Principal Commissioner of Income-tax (Pr CIT) (level 15 in the pay matrix of Rs. 1,82,200 – 2,24,100) against the panel year 2016-17, with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post by them

The CBDT has vide office order no. 86 of 2018 dated 4th June 2018 ordered the transfers and postings of several Assistant/ Deputy Commissioners Of Income-tax (Local Change) with immediate effect and until further orders

Vide Order No. 76 of 2018 dated 25th May 2018 the CBDT has stated that the President has extended the ad-hoc appointment of several IRS officers to the grade of Joint Commissioner of Income Tax from 01.04.2018 to 30.09.2018

The CBDT has issued a directive dated 28th May 2018 in which it is stated that the delay in non-removal/delay in removal of defects in pending appeals before the Hon’ble High Courts and delay in filing of SLPs in the Hon’ble Supreme Court is a matter of great concern for the Board. It is stated that in many cases Departmental appeals pending before High Courts have been dismissed due to delay in removing of defects as pointed out by the Registry of the High Court. Similarly, Supreme Court has been taking a serious view of the delay in filing of the SLPs. The Attorney General of India has expressed concern to the Hon’ble Finance Minster regarding enormous delay in filing of SLPs. The CBDT has pointed out that the functioning of the High Court Cell is critical. Clear-cut instructions as per the Standard Operating Procedure specified in Instruction No. 4 of 2011 dated 09.03.2011 have now been issued

The CBDT has issued a directive dated 7th May 2018 stating that the delay in giving appeal effect and passing rectification orders is the biggest source of grievance against the Department. It is pointed out that such delays also adversely affect the performance of the Department as the infructuous demand remains stuck in appeal orders and rectification petitions till these are disposed of by the assessing officer. With a view to expeditiously dispose off the appeal effect and rectification claims of the taxpayers, the CBDT has directed that the first fortnight of June, 2018 should be dedicated for attending to the pending claims in these areas

The CBDT has issued Notification No. 06 of 2018 dated 11th May 2018 and Office Order No. 65 of 2018 dated 11th May 2018 relating to the appointment of several Joint and Assistant Commissioners of Income-tax

The CBDT has vide Order No. 6018 of 2018 dated 03.05.2018 ordered the transfers and postings of several Assistant Commissioners of Income-tax. The CBDT has vide another Order No. 61 of 2018 dated 04.05.2018 ordered the transfers and postings of several officers in the grade of Assistant/ Deputy Commissioners of Income-tax