ACES Troubles - ADG Clarifies

By Vijay Kumar

WE received this message from Ms. R. Bhagya Devi, ADG, Systems, CBEC.

With reference to the posting in TIOL-DDT under the heading "ACES Troubles", it is to inform that there were some minor issues in Service Tax & Central Excise Return filing which were immediately analysed and resolved. There were no major issue in ST3 return filing and wherever any issue was reported to the Service Desk, the same was escalated and resolved and the feedback from the affected assesses was also received to the effect that they were able to file their return. Further the last date of filing ST3 return is 25th April, and DG Systems is constantly monitoring the filing processes in ACES.

As regards to the allegation that on the last day of filing the CE Returns i.e. 10th April, 2016, the ACES website was down for most part of the day, it appears to be incorrect as seen from the number of returns filed on that day. The trend of previous months indicate that about 15000 to 17000 Returns are filed on an average on the last day of the Return filing date and on 10th April, 2016, 19,582 Returns have been filed . We have received a total of 1,48,416 Returns for the month in Central Excise which is in consonance with the average monthly figure of Returns filing ranging from 1,40,000 to 1,50,000. Further no complaint or mail has been received from any assessee regarding any problem in filing return on the last day i.e. 10th April, 2016.

I wish to add that if at all any assessee has any problem in filing return in Service Tax, he/she may approach aces.servicedesk@icegate.gov.in or call Toll Free No. 1800 425 4251

Thank you Ms. Bhagya Devi - your prompt response and the will to solve the issues are laudable. We need more civil servants like you.

But an assessee told us that the site was frequently down as the above screenshot would show.