The Hindu : Kerala News : e-filing for traders soon

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Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

e-filing for traders soon

Special Correspondent

Check-posts to offer option

Tax returns to be filed through Akshaya centres
30,000 sales tax cases pending in the State

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: e-filing of tax returns by traders through Akshaya centres will be introduced within six months as part of the government’s efforts to optimise tax collection in the State, Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has said.

Attending a district-level review meeting of the Commercial Taxes Department here on Tuesday, Dr. Issac told reporters that the new facility would simplify the tax filing procedure and make the scrutiny of records easier and efficient. The electronic system will help to get rid of tax evasion and plug any loopholes in scrutinising self-assessment statements submitted by traders. The government will bear the expenses for data entry incurred by the Akshaya centres.

Software

The software will be developed within three months. e-filing of bills at check-posts would also be introduced soon. All these are expected to check tax evasion and increase collection, he said.

As many as 30,000 sales tax cases are pending before the department. These include appeals involving Rs.1,500 crore and stay orders issued by the government and courts. A sum of Rs.272 crore could be recovered by vacating the stay orders. All cases pending till 2005 will be settled within three months by redeploying department staff and setting up more appeal benches under an amnesty scheme. Tax arrears of public sector undertakings would be collected as part of the drive. Recovery proceedings would be initiated. Curbs will be imposed on issuing stay orders and individual responsibility given to officials to settle cases by personally contacting the traders concerned, he said.

Raids

Shops will be raided only on detecting prima facie cases of tax evasion. Tax collection has to be intensified to meet the additional expenses for establishing fixed physical infrastructure investment and reducing revenue deficit. The government does not intend to withdraw from the education, health and such other sectors. Hence, it has been decided to streamline the functioning of the department and increase its efficiency. The Minister sought the cooperation of the Opposition to revive the entry tax system.

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