I-T dept to intensify drives to identify unaccounted properties

The Income Tax (I-T) department will intensify drives to identify unaccounted properties, K L Maheshwari, the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, West Bengal and Sikkim said.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Income Tax Bhavan on Thursday. He said that the department has received some specific complaints in regard to unaccounted properties. The department would further intensify raids to crack on them.

"There is an internal mechanism within the I-T department which is constantly monitoring the issues relating to unaccounted properties. After Aadhaar linking was made mandatory, as announced by the Finance Ministry, it becomes easier to not only crackdown on the unaccounted properties but also help in the realisation of income tax," Maheshwari said.

He also said that the IT has set a target of collecting income tax of Rs 42,000 crore from Kolkata in the financial year 2017-2018 and the department has so far achieved a collection of Rs 36,500 crore. The collection of direct taxes would be made easier following the linking of Aadhaar cards, he maintained.

He also said that two new Ayakar Seva Kendras are coming up at Asansol and at 3, Government Place. An application has been launched for the android users through which people would get to know various tax-related issues. It would become much useful for the people.

The application, "Ayakar Setu" was introduced by the Union Finance Minister last week and will prove to be immensely beneficial for the people as they would get a series of information from the mobile application. People could also register their grievances through the application and there will be a redressal mechanism to address the grievances.

The I-T department will celebrate its 158th foundation day at Kalamandir on July 24.