New software to taxpayers' rescue

GURGAON: To help out the taxpayers with tax return filings and other services, the income tax department has launched Aaykar Sampark Kendra (ASK), a new software-based facility.
"Gurgaon has high internet penetration and a large number of people here prefer e-filing of tax returns," said an official at local department office in Udyog Vihar. Explaining the process, he said, one can simply login to www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in and download the required ITR Form."The return can then be prepared offline, uploaded and signed digitally. After this, one can print the acknowledgement form to complete the process," said the IT official.
The online system also allows taxpayers to check the status 10 days after filing the ITR. E-filing has already been made mandatory for all companies and individual taxpayers who need be audited under the Income Tax Act. For senior citizens and women, the local office has earmarked a separate lounge. "To avoid queues and clutter, an air conditioned lounge has been arranged for them."
With the help of the centralized ASK software, a taxpayer gets necessary information like the area of jurisdiction, etc. Also, earlier all the files were stamped manually.
This was a time consuming task. Now, electronic stamping with bar-coding has not only fastened this process but also made it more foolproof. Over one lakh taxpayers in Gurgaon, including the corporates, are likely to benefit from the ASK initiative this year.
The department has also installed token machines to avoid rush at the counters and information kiosk machines. These booths will provide all the information with the help of a 10-digit PAN number.