The Ministry of Finance has issued a Notification dated 29.10.2015 in which it is stated that where the variation between the arm’s length price determined under section 92C and the price at which the international transaction or specified domestic transaction has actually been undertaken does not exceed one percent of the latter in respect of wholesale trading and three percent of the latter in all other cases, the price at which the international transaction or specified domestic transaction has actually been undertaken shall be deemed to be the arm’s length price for Assessment Year 2015-2016

On an earlier occasion, the CBDT had issued Instruction in F. No. 500/98/2015-FT&TR-V dated 14th August, 2015 in which it had lamented the fact of poor representation on behalf of the department in the cases before the Authority of Advance Rulings. It had issued instructions that only senior officials who are well prepared on facts and law should be deputed so as to effectively represent the Departmental view on complex issues. The CBDT has now issued another Instruction F.No.225/261/2015/ITA.II dated 28.10.2015 in which it has taken exception to the fact that:

(i) Departmental Representatives are seeking adjournment on unjustified grounds;

(ii) Departmental Representatives not committing to a particular position on the ground of seeking further instructions from the field authorities;

(iii) All the questions raised in an application not properly responded to, while furnishing the report.

In order to deal with the malaise, the CBDT has issued clear-cut directions and warned that the said directions should be followed strictly.

Aayakar Sampark Kendra (ASK) is one of the initiatives of the Income Tax Department to provide Taxpayer Information and Services to the taxpayers across the country. At present five call centers of Aayakar Sampark Kendra (One NCC at Gurgaon and four RCCs at Jammu, Jangipur, Kochi and Shillong) are functioning to answer queries related to the status of PAN & TAN applications, procedure of filing of Income tax & Wealth tax returns, downloading of calls and other general queries. Taxpayers have also been provided a facility to register grievances through email through the call centers of ASK

The CBDT has issued a press release dated 27.10.2015 stating that a Committee comprising of eminent legal luminaries has been set up to simplify the provisions of the Income-tax Act. The Committee comprises of luminaries such as Justice R.V. Easwar, (Retd.), former Judge, Delhi High Court and former President, ITAT and other eminent advocates and lawyers

The CBDT has issued a press release dated 27.10.2015 stating that the Income-tax Department is committed to the ‘Digital India’ initiative of the Government of India.The Finance Minister today launched an “e-Sahyog” pilot project which furthers the Department’s commitment to work in an e-environment and reduces the need for the taxpayer to physically appear before tax authorities

Pursuant to the recent arrest of Principal Commissioner Sailendra Mamidi and other top officials by the CBI for allegedly demanding and receiving bribes from taxpayers, the CBI has filed a report in Court in which it has presented an alleged nefarious nexus between fixers, businessmen and corrupt Income Tax Department officials.