Commercial Taxes Department confident of meeting Rs. 42,000-crore target

Collection during the first one-and-a-half months is indicator of this: Commissioner

The Commercial Taxes Department in the State is confident of meeting its target of Rs. 42,000 crore fixed for the current financial year in the backdrop of anticipated accelerated economic growth, according to its Commissioner Ajai Seth.

Speaking to presspersons after an interaction with members of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Wednesday, Mr. Seth said that despite the sluggish growth in the previous fiscal, the department almost met its target of Rs. 37,000 crore. It collected Rs. 36,770 crore.

It was mainly owing to cooperation by the trading community, especially ones like in the coastal region, who were prompt in paying taxes, Mr. Seth remarked. While economic growth was at 4.5 per cent, inflation was at 6 per cent. Inflation did not help net in more revenue as it affected foodgrains and vegetables, which did not come under the tax net, he said.

However, the prospects appeared brighter this year and the collection during the first one-and-a-half months indicated that the target could be met, he said.

Interaction

Mr. Seth was in the city to interact with KCCI members and address their concerns about e-uploading purchase and sales statement, which was made mandatory for dealers having a total turnover of more than Rs. 50 lakh from May this year.

He said around 1.1 lakh dealers were likely to be brought under this system in a phased manner. They had to file their statements by the 20th of every month. Gradually, dealers with a turnover of Rs. 25 lakh and above would also be brought under the system. Instead of waiting for mistakes by dealers and penalising them, the department intended to be a partner with them and render the necessary guidance so that they did not commit any mistake, the officer said.

The department would set up help desks at all local VAT offices to guide traders on e-uploading procedure. While e-uploading was a continuous process, the desks would be converted to grievance redressal centres after a certain point of time.

Special software

At present, there was no systematic mechanism to redress grievances of traders in procedural matters. Hence, the department was preparing a special software for the same. These centres, however, would address only procedural issues and would not deal with tax disputes or other legal issues, Mr. Seth said.

KCCI secretary Rammohan Pai Maroor was present at the interaction.