CBDT clamps down on coercive assessment, tax recovery measures by officers

Says recovery surveys be resorted to only if assessee is not responding to notices, can only be undertaken by those in investigation or TDS wing of tax dept

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has restricted the coercive and intrusive powers of assessing and tax recovery officers with immediate effect. 

In its circular, the board asked the officers to take coercive and intrusive measures only after exhaustion of other means of recovery. 

It said recovery surveys be resorted to only in cases where tax assessees are not responding to notices or notices are not being served. 

 

The board reminded the officers that the survey can only be undertaken by those in