In a press release on August 26, 2023, the CBDT said that the “revamped website has been aesthetically redesigned with a mobile responsive layout.” The website also has a ‘Mega Menu’ for content, with new features, and functionalities,” CBDT added.
“The new functionalities, allow users to compare different Acts, Sections,
Rules, and Tax treaties,” said CBDT.
“All relevant content on the site is now tagged with income tax sections for easy navigation. Further, dynamic due date alert functionality provides reverse countdowns, tooltips, and links to relevant portals to help taxpayers comply easily,” it added.
Here’s how the revamped Income Tax Department website can help taxpayers and professionals
“The launch of the revamped National Website of the Income Tax Department brings numerous benefits for taxpayers and professionals. The website’s user-friendly interface and simplified navigation make it easy to locate tax forms, sections, and information, resulting in reduced time and effort in understanding and filing taxes. The intuitive design and improved labeling of forms ensure accurate and error-free submissions,” says chartered accountant Sandeep Agrawal, Director, of Teamlease Regtech, a regulatory compliance technology company.Do note that it is not a website for filing income tax returns (ITRs). It is the national website of the Income Tax Department. This website can be used to get knowledge about various income tax laws and information about various related income tax services.According to Ankit Jain, partner, Ved Jain and Associates, a Delhi-based chartered accountancy firm, “This newly revamped income tax department website has now given the option to print or email the relevant portions of the law directly without opening the relevant law web page first. Further, a due date feature has been added which updates the upcoming deadlines related to Income Tax. In addition, a comprehensive compilation of all other portals (services like PAN card application, etc.) of Income Tax has also been made with guides on how to use those portals. This will allow even an ordinary citizen to comply with his obligations more easily.”
Apart from these changes, there are other subtle changes like “the backend servers of the portal have also been enhanced as the websites seem to be loading a lot faster than previously,” says Jain.
The ‘Contact Us’ page of the website has also been revamped to provide support helplines for all the services provided under the Income Tax Department including PAN-related queries, e-filing of returns, refunds, and grievance redressal forums.
According to Agrawal, “The new website has features like real guidance like pop-up clarifications, tooltips, contextual help, and others. Further, the website seems to be compatible with a wide range of devices and browsers which will allow convenient access even on the go. In addition, I particularly like the integration of various services like online tax tools like tax calculators, etc.”
According to a release by the CBDT, “This website serves as a comprehensive repository of tax and other related information. It provides access to Direct Tax laws, several other Allied Acts, Rules, Income Tax Circulars, and Notifications, all cross-referenced and hyperlinked. The site also offers a ‘Taxpayer Services Module’ featuring various tax tools to assist taxpayers in filing their income tax returns.”
“The interface of new website is very user friendly. The focus of new website is to educate taxpayer also, therefore all the content related to income tax has been placed properly on the website. The website is also focusing on the tax compliance therefore major due dates of tax compliance have been shown on the website with reverse countdown,” says chartered accountant Abhinit Singh, founder, Ready Accountant, a Kolkata based education institution.
The newly revamped website was launched by Shri. Nitin Gupta, Chairman, CBDT, at the ‘Chintan Shivir’, organised by the Directorate of Income Tax (Systems) at Udaipur on August 26, 2023. “The revamped website is another initiative in providing enhanced taxpayer services and will continue to educate taxpayers and facilitate tax compliance,” the CBDT mentioned.
