Board issued direction to PR CCITs reg Biometric Attendance

"....Accordingly, all Pr.CCsIT (CCA) /Pr.DCsIT(CCA)/ CCsIT/DGsIT are requested to take immediate necessary steps for installation of die Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System
in the offices under their administrative control within the timelines prescribed in the DOPT's OM stated above and a report forwarded to this office for perusal of Chairperson CBDT by February 15, 2015. ..."
Click here for the order

Operational Vehicles : Used for which operation ?

One of our viewers asked this question of course with a request of anonymity.

Let’s have a quick look about the scheme and actual use of operational vehicles in Income Tax Department, perhaps the same in every other central department.

Operational vehicles have been introduced in this department for smooth departmental operation. Instead of buying new cars and bearing responsibility of recruiting staff car drivers, hired cars without any recurring liability had been preferred by Govt. Each vehicle is being taken on rent at the cost of Rs 40,000/- plus service tax as applicable (including the cost of driver). Each and every CIT charge is allotted 2 to 4 operational vehicles. The fund is diverted from the 1% incentive scheme. The question is what purpose the cars actually serve. It is being used for private purposes of the officers of the department. It is mostly used to carry the officers (who are not entitled to get the facility) from their residence to office and back. It is also being used for other necessary operations like bringing their children to school / college, shopping for the family members and to meet other important household obligations. Those officers using the car are also enjoying Transport Allowance as per rules (not less than Rs 6400/- p.m. including D.A. thereon). It is rarely seen that any employee of the department have been allowed to do any official outdoor duty with these vehicles.

It is not surprising that IRS Association and ITGOA had never said anything on records against this practice as their members are the beneficiary of this privilege. But ITEF leaders who do not get this facility widely are also mum on this issue for some unknown reason. Solidarity for their elder brothers of ITGOA may be a possible reason.

When the Government is on austerity measure and cutting non plan expenditures, will somebody look into this drainage of money for gain of a handful of officers?

Board issues direction for DPC for Gr B & C posts for vacancy year 2014-15 as per existing RR

Finally some good news for Gr C employees ! CBDT directed all Pr CCITs to conduct DPC for vacancy year 2014-15. As the new RRs yet to be accorded DOPT clearance, CCITs may go ahead with existing recruitment rules for promotion to the post of Gr B & Gr C categories.
"For the 'Executive Assistant(EA) grade. which has been approved to be created by merger of the grades of OS, Sr. TA & Steno Gr.I, the new Recruitment Rules for Executive Assistant cadre is also not yet notified. Therefore. I am directed to clarify that current
Recruitment Rules for the grades of OS. Sr. TA & Steno (Gr. I (which would merge into the single cadre of Executive Assistant upon notification of the Recruitment Rules for the latter) may
be utilized by DPCs. In other words. DPCs for promotion of Sr TA to OS. TA to.Sr TA & Steno Gr II (erstwhile Steno Grade III) to Steno Gr. 1 are to be conducted. For the limited purpose of
quantifying vacancies for conducting DPCs, the number of posts notified for the EA grade may be further trifurcated in each CCA region among OS/Sr. TA/Steno Gr. I in the same ratio as the
pre-restructuring number of sanctioned posts in these grades. "
The DPCs may kindly be conducted by 21.12.2014 in all cadre controlling Regions.
Click here for the instruction from HRD dated 02.12.2014

Update of departmental issues - ITEF version

Mr N.R. Parmar, I.T.O.,  who himself became a history in Income Tax Dept. for his much discussed court case, retired on superannuation on 29.11.2014.
ITEF, Central HQ recently issued circular regarding pending issues of the department including RRs, filling up of posts, Laptop to Inspectors etc. Important points discussed with new chairperson and intimated to members as under.
Filling up of Post of RY 2014-15.
On the basis of imputs that the DoPT may require more time to consider and approve the RRs of various cadres in the Department and the rider attached to the instant instructions on the matter, it was decided to go with the existing Recruitment Rules for all the cadres for filling up of vacancies for the Rect. Year 2014-15.  It was also decided to move separately to the Competent Authorities to get relaxation for filling up the posts in the Inspectors cadre lying vacant for want of candidates in one of the two categories by considering the candidates in the other category.   The instructions for holding DPC meetings and effecting promotions on the above lines will be issued shortly.
Deptl. Examination Results.
The declaration of results of the Departmental Examination for Inspectors is likely to be delayed till December, 2014 due to some technical problem in the answer papers of Delhi Region. 
Laptops to ITIs & Mobile handsets to all.
Still pending with Dept. of Expenditure - "We have also been informed that the IFU (Dept. Of Revenue) after returning the files quite a number of times for clarification etc. has finally approved the two proposals viz. Laptops to Inspectors and Mobile Handsets to all personnel out of the 1% incentive fund.  These proposals have been submitted to the Department of Expenditure for  Govt.’s final approval."
For other details, Click Here for original circular

Re examination (DE-2014) for Income Tax Inspectors Exam in Delhi region

The Board has notified for re examination in all the subjects for all those who appeared in the Deptt. Examination 2014 for IITs,of Delhi region again to be held in Dec, 14
This examination will be held between 15th and 18th December 2014.
The reason for re exam is not disclosed , only "unavoidable reasons" mentioned in the letter issued by board.
Thus it is evident that it will take more time to publish the all India result unless board decides to publish the other region results without waiting for Delhi region, which seems unlikely.
Click here for the full letter

Aadhar based bio metric attendance soon

DOPT issued an O.M. dated 21.11.2014 instructing all central Ministries / Dept. to install Bio Metric Attendance System mandatorily within 31st Dec'14 in case of Delhi and within 26th January 2015 for the rest of the country.
Click here for the details

New posting order of Gr C employees in Kolkata region

Consequent to implementation of restructuring, all Group C employees of Kolkata region have been deemed to have joined in the office of Pr CCIT Kolkata on 15.11.2014 and consequently deemed to be released on the afternoon of 21.11.2014. All officials except those who are on training/ pre sanctioned leave beyond 21.11.2014 should join their new place of posting on 24/11/2014 as per new deployment order.
Click here for order of LDCs
Click here for order of T.A.s
Click here for order of O.S.
Click here for order of MTS
Click here for order of MTS(Trainees)
Click here for order of Stenographers
Click here for order of Sr T.A.s
Click here for order of ITIs
Click here for order of N.S.
Click here for order of Duftury
Click here for order of Peons
These orders are provided by courtesy of ITEF Bengal Circle.

Result of Departmental Examination - 2014 for ITOs published

he Directorlate of Income Tax (IT) has issued the result of Departmental Examination - 2014 for ITOs along with annexure for ITO on 17/11/2014. The certified copy shall be made available by the concerned CCIT/CIT (Examination Incharge) only. The date of declaration of result is 17/11/2014 for all purposes.
Download the result from Dept. Website. Click Here

Income Tax Offices to remain open on Saturday, the 15th Nov

All Income Tax offices will remain open on Saturday, the 15th Nov'14 during normal office hours for administrative works relating to new jurisdiction process implementation.
Click here to view the order

CBDT Instruction reg Non-Adversarial Tax Regime

In its constant endeavour towards a non-adversarial tax regime, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued instruction dated 7th November, 2014 to its field offices. Emphasis has been laid on cleanliness in office, punctuality, timeliness in appointment and avoiding unnecessary adjournments.

CBDT issued fresh advisory reg Parmar implementation

CBDT issued fresh advisory in form of "Frequently Answered Question" regarding implementation of N.R. Parmar decision of the Supreme Court. This advisory, issued by HRD is in concurrence with DOPT and thus it will override the earlier advisory issued by CBDT dated 29th Sep'14.
Viewers are requested to go through the detailed advisory and provide their valuable opinion in this regard.
Click Here to view the advisory.

New Chairperson : Ms Anita Kaur, Upgradation to HAG scale for many officers

Ms Anita Kaur has been appointed as the new CBDT Chairperson.
Click here for the order of appointment.
As many as 75 officers have been upgraded to HAG scale (Rs 67,000 - 79,000). Three orders in this effect has been issued with date of effect mentioned therein.
Click here for Notification No 14
Click here for Notification No 15
Click here for Notification No 16

Jurisdiction : Gazette Notification issued

 Gazette notifications for all the four orders dated 22nd October 2014 were published in the Gazette of India. The four notifications consists of 398 pages (Hindi&English).

All these orders/notifications are being done with effective date of 15th November 2014.

Click Here for the Gazette Notification

FM hopeful of achieving target, Gross Collection rose @ 13.6%

Finance Minister Asks the Senior Officers of the Income Tax Department not to Lose Sight of Domestic Black Money Keeping in view its Much Higher Magnitude and Chase Those Sectors Where its Most Prevalent; Reviews with Senior Officers of the Department the Achievement of Budgeted Targets of Direct Taxes for 2014-15 and Action There of

Jurisdiction notification very soon, effective date 15th Nov'14

Flash !!! 29.10.14
Jurisdiction notification for Pr CCIT, CCIT, Pr CIT, CIT released. As stated earlier, effective date is 15.11.2014.
Click here to view the notification.
Earlier News :
It is learnt from sources that Jurisdiction Notification has been cleared by Ministry of Law and expected to be released within a week. The date of effect of new jurisdiction is decided as 15th November 2014.
CBDT will sent the new jurisdiction of CITs and in turn they will issue order notifying new jurisdiction under his administrative control (Range/Circle/ward).

CBDT issued corrigendum order regarding post allocation

CBDT issued a corrigendum order regarding post allocation due to cadre review. In this order, two post of DGIT(Inv) has been redesignated and some typographical errors have been rectified. Nothing significant found in this order.
Click here to view

Outcome of quarterly review meeting with Chairman held on 14.10.14

As per ITEF circular, the above mentioned meeting took place on 14th October at 4 PM but could not yield any substantial result beside a news that laptop to Inspectors have been cleared by IFU and will be sent to DoE for approval.
Jurisdiction notification is locked up with technical issues and Ministry of Law has been referred to.
Approval of new recruitment rule is still pending with DOPT. Another month long time is to be waited and the case to be reviewed afresh after that.
Fixation of inter se seniority with the decision in Parmar case, which was asked by associations to implement in all cadres, referred to DOPT for further clarification.
Regarding diversion of posts from West Bengal charge, a committee will be reconstituted and to be asked to submit report within a month. Naturally people is clueless what the previous committee, if any, has done actually and under which assurance the WB comrades withdrew it's agitation ! 
View the details in ITEF Circular No. 50 with obvious error in the date of the meeting with Chairman. It is showing the date as 14.07.2014 instead of 14.10.2014. Click here to view.

Delhi High Court restrained promotion to the post of Pr CIT

The High Court of Delhi in an order yesterday (29/09/14) asked the Central Government to stop the promotion of the Indian Revenue Service officers of the rank of Commissioner of Income Tax on promotion to a newly-created post of Principal Commissioner of Income Tax on a plea alleging that the process adopted to appoint a person to that office was illegal.

A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Vipin Sanghi also asked the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to try to complete the pleadings in the case within eight weeks from today(30/09/2014)

ITIs exempted from signing attendance in W.B., punctuality tightened for others !

Responding to a long pending demand of ITEF, West Bengal Unit, Pr CCIT, WB & Sikkim finally came out with positive response regarding exemption of putting signature of Inspectors in the attendance register. Based on the recommendation of a committee constituted for this purpose, strict punctuality has been recommended for other staff members.

Click here for the recommendations as circulated with approval of Pr CCIT

CBDT issued advisory to implement Parmar decision

"Implementation of the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of 
NR Parmar (CA No. 7514-7515 and others) - Issue of Advisory — Regarding — 
**0*********** 
The matter of drawing up of inter se seniority at the Group C cadres has been delegated to the respective Pr. CCIT(CCA)s by the CBDT. Various disputes relating to inter-se seniority between Direct Recruit (DR) and Promote Recruit (PR) Inspectors of Income Tax (ITI) In certain Pr. CCIT(CCA) Regions had arisen on account of seniority lists prepared by various CCAs. The determination of the year of appointment of a Direct Recruit for purposes of seniority has now been settled by the hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of "Union of India & others vs NR. Parmar & Others" vide its Order dated 27-11-2012................. "
Click here to view the full guideline
Courtesy : ITGOA W.B.
JCA not satisfied with the advisory, wants amendment
Joint Council of Action of Income Tax, consiss of promotee officers and staff members, not at all satisfied with the above mentioned advisory and wanted immediate amendment.
" Therefore, we request you to immediately issue corrigendum to the present advisory to the effect that the response to point No. 3 is “No, the provisions of the OM dated 7.2.86 and 3.7.86 are applicable in all cadres where the elements of Direct Recruitment  and promotion exists”. and also to amend para no. 5 as “ This advisory is being issued for enabling all Pr. CCsIT(CCA) to carry out the process of refixing of Seniority of all cadres where the elements of Direct Recruitment  and promotion exists in their regions……”.  We are also constrained to inform your goodself, that our members will not be in a position to extend cooperation in the matter to the administration in implementing the directions contained in the above letter to CCAs until necessary amendments are carried out and conveyed to the Cadre Controlling Authorities."
Click here for the response of JCA

Simpleincometax is back again, now safe and secure !

Welcome back viewers. This blog had been hacked a few days ago and the administrator lost total control over the blog. Thanks to Google Account Recovery Team for providing access again. In the meantime, we missed a lot of current events to publish. We apologize to our viewers for any inconvenience caused. 
Now the account has been made secure enough to keep the hackers away and hopefully, it will not happen again. 
We are grateful to our viewers, advertisers, well wishers for being with us in the time of need.
Thanks again for Google Account Recovery Team.

Surat : Rs 24 crore black money

           SURAT: The income-tax department on Saturday recovered unaccounted income to the tune of Rs 24 crore from two real estate developers — one is the son of an MLA from the city.

Official sources said the I-T sleuths from range-9 carried out survey operations at the commercial and residential projects of these real estate groups at Varachha, Katargam, Sarthana and Parvat Patiya on Friday.

The department officials seized documents and other evidence regarding black money transactions in the purchase of land. The MLA's son declared Rs 13 crore worth of unaccounted income, while the real estate developer in Parvat Patiya area declared income of Rs 11 crore.

In the last one week, the I-T department has recovered over Rs 35 crore worth of unaccounted income from real estate developers and textile traders in the city.

government employees Pay in 5th CPC

DA for Central government employees who are drawing Pay in 5th CPC

F. No. 1/3/2008-E.II (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 25th September, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Rates of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. 1.7.2014 to employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised scale as per 5th Central Pay Commission.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s Office Memorandum of even No. dated 22 April. 2014 revising the rates of Dearness Allowance in respect of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies who continue to draw their pay and allowances in the pre-revised scales of pay as per 5th Central Pay Commission.

2. The rates of Dearness Allowance admissible to the above categories of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 200% to 212% w.e.f. 1.7.2014. All other conditions as laid down in the O.M. of even number dated 3 October, 2008 will continue to apply.

3. The contents of this Office Memorandum may also be brought to the notice of the organizations tinder the administrative control of the Ministries/Departments which have adopted the Central Government scales of pay.

Sd/-
(A. Battacharya)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Cadre Restructuring in CBEC: Notification issued

Cadre Restructuring in CBEC: Notification issued

After the approval of the competent authority, the order specifying the staff allocation for the new formations has been issued yesterday. This is the first step for the implementation of the cadre restructuring in CBEC. Chairperson, CBEC herself stated in her message that the benefits of the restructuring will depend on its speedy implementation. Also a letter regarding cadre restructuring and reorganization of field formation has been issued yesterday.

VIEW THE LETTER HERE

DPC for ITO to ACIT for the RY '14-'15 within year end : Chairman

While addressing a meeting organized by ITGOA Delhi Unit, the Chairman CBDT announced that the process for holding DPC for RY 2014-15 has been initiated and assured that DPC should convene within this calendar year itself.
It may be mentioned that Chairman, CBDT is due to retire on October 2014.

ITO to ACIT : Promotion Order released

The long awaited promotion order from ITO to ACIT has finally released. The news of DPC was provided in this blog earlier. Total 180 ITOs promoted to ACIT.
Click here for the order
Congratulation to the newly promoted ACITs !

ITO To ACIT promotion : DPC held - Sources.

It is learnt from unconfirmed sources that DPC for promotion to the post of ACIT from ITO has been held in the last week. As per sources, DPC for 182 vacancies has been done and promotion order is expected very soon.

West Bengal Inspectors refuse to sign the attendance register

ITEF, West Bengal circle decided to call for the Inspectors to abstain from signing the attendance register from 1st September 2014.
As per ITEF version, the practice of signing the register of Inspectors is not prevailing in the rest of the country and to maintain the rule of parity of practice all over India and as the matter has been discussed with the authority several times, ITEF WB circle decided to call the Inspectors NOT to mark attendance register from 1st September 2014.
Click here to view the letter of ITEF addressed to Pr CCIT, W.B. & Sikkim.

Updates about cadre review implementation

The Chairman CBDT recently visited Hyderabad and in the sideline of official review meeting he informed  following news which are the concern of many employees
ITO to ACIT promotion
All constraints regarding ITO to ACIT promotion have been removed and the DPC is likely to be held "very soon."
New Recruitment Rule
The new RRs are awaiting DOPT approval and expected soon. In the mean time the draft RRs to be circulated to the cadre controlling authorities to get prepared for early DPC.
Jurisdiction
The draft jurisdiction prepared is currently being cross checked by the respective Pr CCITs. The official notification is expected to be within 15th of next month.

Officers and staff of the department to maintain cleanliness and punctuality strictly

"Cabinet Secretary in his recent directives to Revenue Secretary has emphasised that cleanliness of work areas and improvement in the over-all ambience of office buildings as also punctuality on the part of the officials should be reviewed on sustained basis so that there is a visible improvement and that there are no report of slippages in this regard,'"
"The importance of clean and tidy office which gives an air of efficiency and observance of punctuality which is essential for maintenance of office decorum and discipline needs hardly be emphasised. Accordingly, the following instructions are brought to the notice of all Cadre Controlling Principal CCsIT and the offices under their jurisdictions for information and compliance and to help them to discharge their responsibilities in a more effective and efficient manner: "
"All the officers and staff working in offices under cadre control of Pr.CCsIT should strictly observe the prescribed office timings. It should be ensured that they do not overstay the lunch break and leave offices early before closing of office hours. No amount of external efforts can bring about improvements in punctuality of the officials on sustained basis unless Heads of Departments themselves take a personal interest in the same and observe the prescribed office hours. Therefore, all HODS may be instructed to conduct regular ,unannounced and surprise punctuality checks alongwith checking of attendance registers of the offices to see that the officials are observing office hours meticulously. Habitual latecomers may also be warned to mend their ways failing which disciplinary action may be taken against them. "
View the O.M. dated 21.08.2014

Promotion from DCIT to JCIT released

119 DCITs promoted as JCIT on adhoc basis. Posting of new JCITs also issued.
View the order

Biometric Attendance to be implemented soon

Update on 13.08.2014 : Bio-Metric Attendance Monitors installed for employees of urban ministries
To ensure punctuality at work, Bio-Metric Attendance Marker Systems have been installed for employees of the Ministries of Urban Development and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation located in the Nirman Bhawan. 

JCA, West Bengal suspends agitation

As informed earlier in this blog, JCA West Bengal withdraws the ongoing agitation. As per their version, CBDT's decision to form a committee to look into the phasing out of posts from West Bengal region is a appreciable gesture and in response, they decided to "temporarily" withdraw the ongoing agitation since 4th April 2014.
It may be noted that JCA is happy enough on relook of the phasing out of posts only which is likely to be effected in future but the discrimination in cadre review (Not getting even a single ITO post) seems to be accepted by the unions !
Sincere thanks to CBDT for providing the face saving formula !
View the JCA, WB letter about withdrawal of agitation

I.T. offices to remain open in this weekend

New CBDT Chairman
Mr K.V. Chaudhary, 1978 batch IRS Officer will be the new Chairman CBDT from 1st August 2014. He will succeed Mr R.K. Tiwari who will retire on superannuation.
Work on weekend for I.T. staff
Income Tax offices will remain open on Saturday and Sunday, the 26th and 27th July to receive returns as the due date of filing of return is 31st July 2014. All field offices will accept returns during normal office hours. 
Special arrangements may also be made by way of opening additional receipt counters, wherever required, on 26th, 27th , 28th, 30th  and 31st July, 2014 to facilitate the taxpayers in filing 
their returns of income conveniently and in a timely manner.
View the order under sec 119(1) in this regard

Nearly 300 CITs going to be promoted as Pr CIT soon

It is reliably learnt that the file of IRS (IT) officers belonging to 1982-87 batch has reached to the Appointment Committee of Cabinet on July 16. DPC had taken place on April 30 this year. Meaning hereby; as many as 300 IRS (IT) officers would soon get the rank of Principal Commissioner of Income Tax.

Quarterly review meeting of JCA with CBDT on 14.07.14

West Bengal JCA likely to withdraw agitation soon. CBDT to constitute a committee to re look post distribution. Ultimately JCA, WB, is going to get the long awaited "escape route" to end the agitation ! Read details below.

The Quarterly Review Meeting with the Board took place on 14.7.2014 on the agenda items submitted by the JCA. The Meeting was chaired by Shri R.K. Tewari, Chairman, CBDT. Ms. Deepa Krishen, Member (P&V) and other officials were also present.  The delegation of ITEF consisted of Com. KP Rajagopal, SG; Com. Ashok Kanojia, Addl. Secy., Com. Raveendran B Nair, Jt. Secy.; and Com. Rupak Sarkar, Finance Secy.  Apart from the listed agenda items, the ITEF also took up the following items as issues of urgency.

1. To expedite the approval of Jurisdiction proposal submitted by various Regions.
2. Communication to CCAs the stay granted by Pr. Bench of CAT, on recovery of the alleged overpayment on fixation of pay of ITI/AO/PS.
3. Instructions to CCAs to fill up the consequential vacancies of RY 2013-14 as certain CCAs has not done the same.

Gist of the meeting is as under :

  ITO to ACIT:

The staff side requested that in the vacancy years 2013-2014 & 2014-2015 (regular as well as vacancies arising out of cadre review) may be affected immediately. The official side informed them that for proposal for promotion of ITOs to the grade of ACsIT for the vacancy year 2012-13(Review-DPC) and 2013-14(Regular-DPC) had been submitted to UPSC, who had been requested to process the proposals and intimate the convenient date(s) for holding of DPC Meetings at the earliest possible.

Promotion in the same grade pay - HRD issued O.M.

CBDT (Directorate of HRD) issued an O.M. regarding fixation benefit on promotion of Steno Grade-II to Grade I and Sr. TA  to OS. 
The O.M. conveys the approval of Dept. of Expenditure on the proposal of Dept. seeking fixation of pay under Rule 13(i) of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2008 in case of promotion from Steno Gr II to Steno Gr I and Sr T.A. to O.S. where both feeder and promotional cadre carries same Grade Pay.
View the O.M. dated 16.07.2013
Click here for CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2008
( We are unable to publish a large number of comments as they consist direct personal attack to individuals and groups. It is once again requested not to make any personal comment here.)

Delhi JCA's agitation programme gets immediate attention, but WB's agitation ?

It seems the Delhi Circle JCA's agitation programme effected the Board. The CBDT in the last week has constituted a four members committee to examine the demands of Income Tax Employees regarding recruitment and promotion issue. The committee headed by Jt. Secretary(Admin), Finance Ministry, Shri S. K. Lohani will submit its reports by July 18 and on the basis of the committee’s recommendation the CBDT will take a call regarding long pending demands of the employees.

In the other hand, JCA West Bengal unit is organizing non cooperation movement including non submission of statistical reports, non participation of search and survey etc. for more than three months but CBDT seems to be not bothered at all. Surprisingly the All India Secretary General of ITGOA is from West Bengal but could not create any impression on CBDT on any issue including national issue as ACIT promotion or local issue of unjustified cadre allocation in his own state.

(With inputs from http://insideincometax.blogspot.in/)

Bonanza for taxpayers in budget

Bringing cheer to individual taxpayers, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his maiden Union Budget 2014-15 in Parliament on Thursday, raised personal tax exemption limit to Rs 2.5 lakh from the current Rs 2 lakh. Income tax exemption limit for senior citizens has been raised to Rs 3 lakh. The Investment limit under Section 80C has also been hiked to Rs 1.5 lakh from the current Rs 1 lakh, while the FM increased housing loan interest rate deduction limit to Rs 2 Lakh. In further relief to the depositors, the FM announced that the PPF (Public Provident Fund) deposit ceiling will be raised to Rs 1.5 lakh from the existing Rs 1 lakh.
Highlights of budget 2014 regarding Income Tax
* No hike in direct tax rates 
* Retain tax targets for FY15
* Gross tax revenue seen 10.9% of GDP in FY16; 11.2% in FY17
* Retain interim gross tax collection aim
* Propose relief to individual tax payers
* Ups 80C tax break invest cap to Rs 150,000 from Rs 100,000
* Up tax exemption limit for senior citizens to Rs 300,000
* No change in rate of surcharge for corporates, individuals 
* No change in surcharge rates for direct tax
* To up personal income tax exemption limit to Rs 250,000
* Personal income tax exemption hiked by Rs 50,000 per year
* Will consider views on new Direct Tax Code draft
* Education cess to continue at 3% 

Mumbai ITGOA members seek clarification, threaten to resign from Association

Flash news : Delhi ITGOA agitation suspended
The ongoing agitation of ITGOA, Delhi kept in abeyance, as board has constituted a committee on directorate issues, committee will report by 18th July, 2014

News from ITGOA, Mumbai
A number of ITOs in Mumbai have written to ITGOA Mumbai and sought clarification regarding ACIT promotion, seniority list etc. They belong to 2001 batch of ITO. In this letter they requested answer of queries within 5 days and threatened to quit the association if their just demands and queries are not adhered to. A copy of the letter is with us. We are publishing it for public interest.
Click here to view the letter
(There were some technical problem and this link was not working. Now it is rectified and working perfectly. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

ITO to ACIT promotion : No immediate possibility

ITGOA, Central Headquarter issued a circular to all members apprising of different issues. Out of these issues, perhaps the most important issue, ACIT promotion is still uncertain.
"The CBDT had submitted two Review / Regular proposals for promotion to the post of ACsIT to UPSC on 18.02.2014. CBDT was advised by UPSC to obtain opinion of DOLA on the issue as to whether holding DPC from the existing seniority list of ITOs subject to revision of seniority of ITI/ITO based on the judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court in N. R. Parmar will tantamount to contempt or not.

Assessees are required to authenticate email id and mobile No. for e filing

The process of updating and authenticating the contact details are below
New User
 Provide the correct Mobile Number and Email ID during the Registration in the e-Filing portal, Activation link would be sent to the registered E-mail ID and a One Time Password (OTP also called PIN) is sent to the registered Mobile Number. User needs to Click on the Link provided in the E-mail and enter the OTP received in the mobile number for Successful activation of the registered user in e-Filing portal 

Registered User 
After the user logs in to the e-filing account, the user is requested to update the current Mobile number and E-mail ID. The user should update their personal Mobile number and Email so that the updated contact particulars are registered with the Department or confirm that the Mobile number and email ID already registered is their valid personal contacts. 
Upon submitting the details, Department would immediately send OTPs (PIN1 & PIN2) to new mobile number and Email ID. The respective PINs- PIN1 and PIN2 received through Mobile number and E-mail ID should be entered by them in the respective input fields to authenticate that the email ID and mobile are correct. Upon successful validation the Mobile number  and email ID would be updated in the taxpayer’s profile and the process would be complete. 
If the PINs are not received within specified time (say 2 minutes), the taxpayer may opt for “Resend PINs” option. The PINs once received will be valid for 24 hours. The taxpayers are advised to validate the contact details using the PINs received within 24 hours. If PINs are not validated within 24 hours, the taxpayer has to login and follow the same procedure as above again. 
Note: 
Taxpayers are advised to follow the process mentioned above in the interest of the security of their e-filing account and to directly receive communication from the Department about status of processing and issue of refunds etc. 
This is a one-time process to validate the mobile number and email ID. However, whenever 
the taxpayer changes the Mobile Number or email ID in their Profile, the process will be repeated to ensure that the particulars provided are correct. 
One mobile number or email ID can be used for a maximum of 10 user accounts as the Primary Contact- Mobile Number and Email ID in e-Filing. This is to ensure that family members (not exceeding 10 separate users) not having personal email or mobile can be covered under a common email or mobile, but in general taxpayers should have their own unique email ID and Mobile registered with the Department. 
The taxpayer can enter any other person’s email or mobile number in addition as a Secondary Contact (without any restriction on the number of user accounts linked as a Secondary Contact). Using “Profile Settings  My Profile” the taxpayer can select to include the Secondary Contact to also receive emails, alerts etc. 
Include the emails and SMS from the Income tax Department in the ‘safe list’ or ‘white list’ to prevent the communications from the Department from being blocked or rejected or sent to Spam folder. 
As a best practice, please update and authenticate the current contact and address details 
under “Profile Settings  My Profile” after login to eFiling portal. 
Source : E filing portal (I.T. Dept.)