PM LAUNCHES NEW CHARTER OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHTS, DUTIES

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled India’s first charter of taxpayers’ rights and duties and issued a national appeal ahead of the 74th Independence Day for introspection by citizens on the fact that only 15 million people in a population of 1.3 billion pay income tax.

Taxation reforms in the last six years have been centred on three concepts -- seamless, painless and faceless – that have reduced complexities, cut tax rates and reduced litigation, Modi said. While the technologydriven faceless assessment system aims to end overreach by officials, the charter defines the rights and responsibilities of taxpayers. According to the charter, the income-tax department is committed to providing prompt, courteous and professional assistance to the taxpayer.››p15