The Income Tax Department opened 34 Special Return Receipt Counters at Aayakar Bhawan in Nungambakkam to enable salaried tax payers to file their returns. The counters will be operated only for three days this year, as most of the salaried class have opted for e-filing of returns.
The centres will function till Wednesday and are manned by 150 persons. July 31 is the last date for salaried and non-corporate assessees to file their returns.
Till recently, the department used to operate 40 special counters at Aayakar Bhawan and also at Chennai airport, ICF and Southern Railway headquarters. This year, it has reduced the number of counters as well as working days.
Last year, 63,000 assessees made use of the special counters. However, it was not clear how many of them would make use of the facility this year. This is due to the Centre making e-filing mandatory for those whose total income exceeded Rs.5 lakh and also withdrawing exemption from filing returns given to salaried persons having income up to Rs.5 lakh in the last two assessment years 2011-12 and 2012-13.
As of March 31, 2013, there were 24 lakh assessees in the State, of which individuals accounted for 20.85 lakh, firms 1.67 lakh and Hindu Undivided Family 87,842. The department received 10.45 lakh returns last year, of which non-company accounted for 10.30 lakh. On the first day, about 9,000 salaried tax payers filed their returns through the 34 special counters. These counters are meant for salaried and non-corporate assessees of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tambaram regions, whose accounts are not required to be audited.
Briefing newsmen, N. Sankaran, Commissioner of Income Tax-II, said the Tamil Nadu Region witnessed a 19 per cent increase in the net tax collection for the first four months, up to July 25.
The department collected Rs.8,136 crore as taxes against Rs.6,850 crore collected for the corresponding period last year. Refunds during the same period stood at Rs.2,100 crore (Rs.2,165 crore).
For the current year, the Ministry has set a budget target of Rs.45,877 crore for the State against Rs.40,528 crore for the previous year. Last year, the Department collected Rs.37,271 crore, representing 92 per cent.
