CBDT issues directions for Intrusive or Coercive Action for Recovery of Tax Demand By AOs or TROs [Read Order]

The Central Board of Direct Taxes and Customs (CBDT) notified the order under section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for exercising power of intrusive or coercive action for recovery of tax demand by Assessing Officers (AOs) or Tax Recovery Officers (TROs).

Any AO or TRO are authorised under the Income-tax Act, 1961 to carry out the functions related to recovery of arrear or current tax demand, may carry out these functions as per Provisions of Chapter XVII and the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Act, Income Tax Rules, Manuals and Guidelines issued earlier in this regard.

However, while taking intrusive and coercive action for recovery of taxes, the Board issued various guidelines.

Firstly, any coercive or intrusive action for recovery of tax demands should be taken only after exhausting alternative means of recovery as mentioned in Para 2 (i) of Board’s letter F.No. 275/29/2020-(IT (B) dated 21st September, 2020.

Secondly, recovery surveys should be restored to only in cases where the taxpayer/defaulter is not responding to the notices or notices are not getting served or recovery of taxes is not taking place even after going through the “Profile View” and “Asset Details” in Project Insight.

Thirdly, it may be noted that as per amended section 133A, the surveys can be conducted only by officers of Investigation or TDS Wing.

Fourthly, all recovery surveys of the charges other than Central charges will be conducted by the officers of TDS charge. The recovery survey will be approved by a Collegium. The Collegium will consist of two officers of the level of Pr. CCIT or CCIT, which will include the CCIT of the concerned jurisdictional charge and CCIT (TDS) or Pr. CCIT of the region where there is no CCIT (TDS). In case of International Taxation charges, the Collegium will include Pr. CCIT (International Taxation)/CCIT (International Taxation) as one of the members and CCIT (TDS) or Pr.CCIT of the region where there is no CCIT (TDS) as the second member.

Fiftly, There will be no Collegium for TDS charges. TDS charges will conduct recovery surveys in their cases after the approval of CCIT (TDS) or where there is no CCIT (TDS) after the approval of Pr. CCIT of the region.

Sixthly, recovery surveys of Central charges under jurisdiction of CCIT (Central) will be conducted by the officers of the Investigation Wing after taking approval of a Collegium consisting of CCIT (Central) concerned and DGIT (Investigation). Where Central Charges are under jurisdiction of DGIT (Investigation), recovery surveys will be conducted after taking approval of DGIT (Investigation) only.

Seventhly, in the event of any disagreement between the officers in the Collegium, the issue would be resolved by the Pr.CCIT of the region. Shree Tax Chambers Bengaluru India

Eighly, officers of TDS or Investigation Wing will involve AO or TRO concerned and the survey will be conducted as per the established survey procedures.

Ninth, the Pr.CIT / CIT / Pr. DIT / DIT of the Investigation or TDS Wing should monitor and ensure that the survey does not go beyond the scope as approved by the Collegium / CCIT (TDS) / DGIT (Investigation), as the case may be.

Lastly, TDS or Investigation Wing officer shall prepare the survey report and upload the same on ITBA as per Survey Manual and extant instructions in this regard and will also send a copy of survey report to AO/TRO concerned.

“With respect to the attachment of movable or immovable property, the extant procedure in the Income–tax Act, Rules, Manuals and guidelines may be followed. TROs should strictly follow provisions of the Second Schedule of the Income-tax Act, 1961 subject to above guidelines mentioned in sub-para A and B above. Before attachment of movable and immovable property, the AO or TRO shall take prior approval of Pr. CIT/Pr. DIT / CIT/DIT concerned,” the Board said.