Online eFiling Software
The requirement of filing the annual VAT statements by traders in addition to monthly returns will be dispensed with. | The penalty levied on late filing of monthly returns will be reduced from 10% to 5% if the delay does not exceed 10 days. | The system of e-filing of tax returns will be introduced selectively during the current year. | CBDT has notified Industrial Park Scheme 2008 expanding the ambit of “industrial activity” to include research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering, development of computer software, and information technology enabled services. | Net direct tax collections in the first quarter of the present fiscal stood at Rs.57,373 crore, up from Rs.41,391 crore, registering a growth of 38.61 percent. | Shri Narendra Bahadur Singh has taken over as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes with effect from the afternoon of 30 June 2008. | As a part of the modernization of computer infrastructure in the Income Tax Department, the Computer Centers at Amritsar, Baroda and Rohtak will be shutdown for a period from 27.06.2008 to 09.08.2008. During this period the work of issue of PAN card would be stopped completely in these centers.
 
 
Circular on E-Payment of Taxes
F.No.134/35/2008-TPL
Government of India, Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue, Central Board of Direct Taxes
(Tax Policy and Legislation Division)
New Delhi, dated the 14th July, 2008
Mandatory e-payment of taxes – reg
The Central Board of Direct Taxes, vide notification S.O.No.493(E) dated 13.3.2008 have notified the categories of taxpayers who are mandatorily required to electronically pay taxes on or after the 1st day of April, 2008. The taxpayers who are required to pay taxes by the prescribed mode are – (i) a company; and (ii) a person (other than a company), to whom provisions of section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961 are applicable.
 
Further, payment of tax electronically has been defined to mean payment of tax by way of - (i) internet banking facility of the authorized bank; or (ii) credit or debit cards.
 
In this context, representations have been received from some of the foreign assesses highlighting the difficulties being faced by them in complying with the provisions with regard to mandatory e-payment of taxes. It has been pointed out by such foreign assesses that they do not have a presence in India and, therefore, are not able to meet the ‘know your customer norms’ of the banks. This has resulted in their inability to open bank accounts and make payment of taxes, through the electronic mode. Representations have also been received from the resident taxpayers highlighting difficulties in availing internet banking facilities of the authorized banks. A clarification has also been sought as to whether payment of tax deducted at source by a deductor will fall within the meaning of ‘tax’ for the purpose of the impugned notification.
 
With a view to facilitating electronic payment of taxes by different categories of taxpayers, it is hereby clarified that, - an assessee can make electronic payment of taxes also from the account of any other person. However, the challan for making such payment must clearly indicate the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the assessee on whose behalf the payment is made. It is not necessary for the assessee to make payment of taxes from his own account in an authorized bank. Further, it is also clarified that payment of any amount by a deductor by way of tax deducted at source (TDS) or tax collected at source (TCS) shall fall within the meaning of ‘tax’ for the purpose of the rule 125 of the Income-tax Rules, 1962.
 
(Sambit Tripathy)
Under Secretary to Govt. of India