If I remember correctly, then we started e-filing of Income Tax since 2009, i.e. since assessment year 2009-10. Before that it was available partially, i.e. via some software programs, which the tax consultants used. Since the e-filing website was launched, new data related to IT are available there. Even various applications such as rectification request can be raised there. Last year, many friends and colleagues of mine, who work and live in Bangalore, got surprised by an unprecedented communication from the IT department that stated that the amount of TDS money deposited for the assessment year 2008-09 was less than the amount claimed to have been deposited in Form-16. I also got the same - not via email, but in snail mail. IT department suggested that we should pay back the money to them - odd because, depositing TDS is not job of an employee, but that of the finance department of the employer.
We contacted the finance department then, who informed that many employees from other companies also got similar communication from the IT department, and that it was due to some goof up by the IT department in managing data from the year before they went online. They also confirmed that from employer's side a communication would be sent to the IT department on this issue, requesting to take correcting measures.
Recently, i.e. almost a year after that letter was received, some of my friends and colleagues started getting reminders. Also, we came to know that if we login into the e-filing website, we can check under "Outstanding Tax Demand" item which notes down the amount of money claimed bby the IT, and the assessment year it corresponds to. We also found out that it is not possible to raise an online rectification request against IT computation for that assessment year. Meanwhile, one colleague informed that he was supposed to get some refund last year and later he found that the reason for non-receipt of that refund is that the IT department has adjusted it against the amount noted in "Outstanding Tax Demand" item.
So, we decide to visit the IT office, HMT Bhawan at Bellary road, near Mekhri Circle and to file the rectification request personally. In 4th Floor of that building there is a Help Centre for visitors, where the personnel of the IT department were very helpful on this. Had to write an application letter of rectification request mentioning the year, the amount claimed and the number noted in the communication letter received from them. Attached a copy of that letter along with a copy of the form-16 and a copy of returning file (stamped front page of ITR-V, which was known by some other name in 2009, probably ITR-I). Found out the IT ward number for the then employer of mine (it depends on the first letter of the name of the company) from the Help Centre itself. They even checked that the 26AS data for the same year shows that all the TDS money was actually deposited correctly, and in time. That itself certifies the use of the term 'goof up' (by the IT department). Deposited the application at the "Tappal section" and got a copy of application stamped by the official, which is meant to be an acknowledgement of the rectification request.
In around 10 days' time, the entry under the "Outstanding Tax Demand" item in my account was removed by the IT department.
Not many people check such things at the e-filing website - very few probably logs in there. But, its better to check it out, as the IT department will not hold themselves responsible, if their communication letter sent via post office has not reached the intended recipient.
PS: This is the first time that I encountered the word "Tappal section". Never heard that word before. Probably it is of Tamil origin, and it seems that it is commonly used in government offices, particularly in South India. As googled out, there is a PDF file (http://jameskutty.info/mop.pdf) which notes the meaning of Tappal - any communication (say, letter/application/complaint) received in an office, till it is numbered properly, is known as a "Tappal".
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