CBEC Taxpayer's Experience Survey -Chairman's Concern
CBEC has for the second year running, conducted a taxpayer's experience survey in association with FICCI and KPMG and the findings have been partly and selectively released, especially the fact that 72% of the respondents have felt a perceptible change in policies of the Tax Department by way of becoming liberal and friendly to the taxpayer. While congratulating the officers of the Department, the CBEC Chairman in a D.O. Letter to all his Chief Commissioners says, "We cannot, however, afford to sit on our laurels."
The Chairman shared some preliminary concerns with his officers.
1. A constant refrain has been the need for attitudinal change by us at the cutting edge level in treating the taxpayer. Taxpayers are our partners and need to be treated as such.
2. The survey points out also on the need for focusing on tax evaders - it is nobody's case that this segment of taxpayers who give everybody a bad name, should be treated softly.
3. Training is an extremely important element in this entire aspect. While NACEN and its regional units will be tasked to hold regular training sessions obviously each Commissionerate should also have in house training workshops. We have a lot of talent amongst our officers which should be made use of for imparting such trainings. This is particularly important, given that one of the findings of the survey was that the spate of reforms initiated by the CBEC through various instructions/circulars does not seem to have reached the field formations.
4. As was brought out by a panel list in the recently held Rajaswa Gyan Sangam, 2016, we should strive to be knowledgeable, professional and helpful.
5. It is also incumbent on each one of us to ensure close supervision and monitoring. Timely disposal of adjudication, refund and queries of the trade is essential in creating a conducive environment.
6. I would also urge you to ensure regular interaction with the trade and the officers and have a feedback mechanism whereby suggestions for ease of doing business should be encouraged.