Joint filing of excise, service tax

Software to allow online filing of returns, scrutiny, audit

Indirect taxpayers' may not have to frequent the tax department as the revenue department is planning to launch a software for both excise and service tax that will enable online filing of returns, scrutiny and audit, reconciliation, dispute resolution, and even refunds.

The department has ordered the directorate-general of systems and data management to develop the required software. It was expected to be ready for trial by the fourth quarter of this fiscal, officials told Business Standard today.

"At present, the department has multiple servers at nearly 605 locations covering Customs, central excise and service tax commissionerates. DG, Systems, has also been asked to set up a central server. This exercise is, however, expected to be completed only by March next year," an official said.

The revenue department has already introduced a risk management assessment system for Customs which, if found effective, would be replicated, officials said.

The revenue department will soon ask around 5,400 companies across the country, paying an annual excise duty of over Rs 1 crore or above, to submit details of their weekly production data and excise paid on it, to the department.

These firms will be asked to submit details of the quantity cleared during the week for both home consumption and export, the value of clearances made during the week and the duty involved in the clearances for both domestic consumption and exports.

But, the finance ministry is yet to take a view on whether to make the requirement mandatory or voluntary for companies.

Officials said firms would be required to submit one week's data within three days. For instance, for a week starting on the first of a month, the information is to be furnished by the 10th of that month. Those companies, which pay excise through cash or the PLA (Personnel Ledger Account) will be required to follow this procedure.

This information will be in addition to the normal returns or statements which industries are required to submit.