Budget 2024: Industry Experts Push for ITR Portal Enhancements including Notice Intimation in Budget Talks

The Industry leaders emphasised the challenges faced by taxpayers in ascertaining the notices served by the Central Board of Direct Taxes ( CBDT ). The experts want the government to find a proper solution for the issues faced due to the ITR portal glitches in the Budget 2024 which slated to be presented on February 1st 2024 by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The predicament arises from delays in receiving email intimations about notices or, in some cases, a complete failure to receive them. This communication gap has prompted concerns among taxpayers, who find themselves grappling with uncertainty regarding their tax obligations.

Adding to the complexity is the feedback on the user interface of the new Income Tax Returns ( ITR ) website introduced by the tax department. While acknowledged as an improvement over its predecessor, experts in the industry assert that the interface falls short of the user-friendly standards desired by taxpayers. Although better than the previous ITR website, it still presents usability challenges that hinder a seamless experience for taxpayers navigating through their tax-related affairs.

"Although when compared to the old ITR portal, the new ITR portal is refreshing and useful to interact, but it can be further improved. It is my view that the tax portal should be made more user-friendly. Currently, taxpayers face challenges in locating relevant communications and notices on the portal.," says Sandeep Agrawal, Director and Co-founder Teamlease Regtech said to Economic Times.

Typically, as the due dates approach, there is a significant surge in website traffic, often leading to the manifestation of errors. Complaints flood the social media accounts of the income tax department, even after the surge subsides, with individuals expressing dissatisfaction about the persisting errors.

Experts recommend that the government should promptly address the issues plaguing the income tax portal and rectify communication gaps between taxpayers and the department. The negligence of officials has resulted in unnecessary troubles for the taxpayers like penalty.

As stakeholders eagerly await the upcoming budget, the hope is that these concerns will be addressed comprehensively, ensuring a smoother and more transparent tax administration for all stakeholders involved. The convergence of industry expertise and government initiatives remains crucial in creating a tax ecosystem that is not only efficient but also user-centric, ultimately benefiting both taxpayers and the tax authorities.

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