Email-based I-T assessment: Hyderabad, Kolkata added to scheme

The income tax (I-T) department has decided to extend its ambitious email-based pilot assessment project to two more cities, in addition to the existing five metros, in an effort to ensure paperless communication regime with the taxpayers.

The department has now added Hyderabad and Kolkata under the scheme and soon a media publicity campaign will be unleashed in these cities including the earlier ones of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Chennai for those who want to opt for the pilot project and those whose cases have been picked up for scrutiny assessment by the taxman. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), in a recent order, has cleared the inclusion of the two cities in the much-touted project that is aimed to end corruption and bring hassle-free experience for the taxpayer.

The CBDT, early this year, had notified the format and procedure for the taxman and taxpayers to usher the pilot project. As per a latest directive issued and accessed by PTI, the Board has also asked the taxman to acknowledge documents in physical form if they are "voluminous".