Honest taxpayers deserve to be recognised for paying their due share: Nirmala Sitharaman

• Speaking on the occasion of the 161st anniversary of Income Tax Day, Sitharaman appreciated the Income Tax Department for successful implementation of various reforms
• MoS for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary complimented the I-T Department for having done well in its twin role of revenue collection and implementation of tax policies

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday that honest taxpayers deserve to be recognised for paying their due share dutifully. Speaking on the occasion of the 161st anniversary of Income Tax Day, Sitharaman appreciated the Income Tax Department for successful implementation of various reforms. "The minister observed that the honest taxpayers deserve to be recognised for the contribution they are making to the progress of the nation by dutifully paying their due share of taxes… She also lauded taxpayers for discharging their compliance obligations despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic," said an official statement.

MoS Finance lauds I-T Department for digitalising processes

The Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, in his message, complimented the Department for having done well in its twin role of revenue collection and implementation of tax policies in a fair and transparent manner. He observed that most of the processes and compliance requirements have been shifted to online platforms and the need for taxpayers to physically visit the Income Tax Offices has been eliminated or minimised. He highlighted the fact that the interaction with taxpayers is now characterised by a spirit of trust and respect, relying more on voluntary compliance.

The Minister of State for Finance, Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, in his message, appreciated the Income Tax Department for its immense service to the nation in its role as the agency administering the Direct Taxes. Noting that taxes are not just a source of revenue for the government but also an effective instrument for achieving certain socio-economic objectives, he commended the Department for having proved itself to be robust and capable of evolving with the need of the times. He expressed his confidence that the Department will keep up its reputation as a professional organisation guided by principles of fairness and transparency.

'I-T Department has achieved healthy growth in tax collection'

The Revenue Secretary, Tarun Bajaj, in his message, extended his best wishes to the Department. He complimented the Department for having done well in adapting itself to the emergent changes in our economy and having been able to achieve a healthy growth in tax collections. He also appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the Department to reorient its approach towards revenue collection, making its functioning trust-based and taxpayer-centric. He appreciated the work carried out by the field units of the Department for organising relief work for those affected by Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination camps for its employees and their families.

Chairman, CBDT, JB Mohapatra, while extending his wishes to the members of the Aayakar Parivar and their families, complimented them for their collective efforts and effectively fulfilling their twin role as the revenue earning arm of the nation and provider of taxpayer services. Referring to the larger and far-reaching policy measures like 'Honoring the Honest,' Faceless Regime and adoption of the Taxpayers' Charter, he noted that these initiatives have made the departmental functioning more transparent, objective and taxpayer-friendly. He also expressed his heartfelt condolences for the families of the officers and officials who lost their lives in the line of duty during the pandemic, and observed that their dedication to duty inspires us to making the Department an even more committed, more humane, more professional and a more efficient organisation.

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