As Vivad Se Vishwas scheme draws to close, tax officers face the heat

Vivad Se Vishwas scheme allows the waiver of interest, penalty, and prosecution for settling tax disputes due up to January 31, 2020

With three weeks to go before the Vivad Se Vishwas direct tax dispute resolution scheme window closes, Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman P C Mody pulled up tax officers for the dismal declarations, in a meeting held last week.

It was argued that the declarations were 'not even 10 per cent' of the potential level, while the final payments made after the declarations remained ‘dismal.’ Besides, officers were urged to reach out to central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) to settle disputes under the scheme.

“Tax officers were told that those displaying