Huge number of youngsters thronged Gayatri Vihar on Saturday where the income-tax department has opened special counters to assist people on the last two days of tax filing.
Huge number of youngsters thronged Gayatri Vihar on Saturday where the income-tax department has opened special counters to assist people on the last two days of tax filing. With Sunday being the last day to file tax returns, the penultimate day saw footfalls of over 50,000 at the facility.
Since it’s the weekend and the filing of returns coming to an end, Bangaloreans rushed to Palace Grounds to file their returns and also spend some time with the family. “Everything from banks and ATMs to eateries and joyride for children are available here. It is convenient as these counters are open on weekends too,” said Ashoka Hiremath, a techie from CV Raman nagar.
The crowd was huge even during lunch hour; one could see husbands and wives filing their returns while taking turns to help the kids with the rides and food. “My husband is filing our returns and I am waiting here with our children. Over all, it turned out to be a nice outing and not a chore,” said Nagma Sulthana, a resident of Benson Town.
However, some tax-payers found the wait a tad too long and wished for more helpdesks and tax consultants to help them fill their forms the next time. This year, the department also introduced two new forms which are computer readable — Sahaj and Sugam.
“People are very cautious while filing their returns so it would have been better had the department spent more time per person at the counters to help them fill forms correctly or added more counters,” said Rajitha V, a HR professional from Yelahanka.
The department opened the facility with 10 helpdesks and by the end, opened 65 more. “We will have 100 counters on Sunday as the rush is expected to double on the last day,” said PK Prasad, commissioner, IT department, Karnataka and Goa.
“We are also to be blamed for the rush as we have turned up on the last day to file our taxes. We shouldn’t expect individual attention from the consultants and we should know a bit about the forms,” said Prasanna VP, a chartered accountant from Basavangudi.
Prasad, who conceptualised the idea of setting up special counters during the end of tax filing season in Palace Grounds two years ago, said the department is seeking feedback from people and improving the facilities next year.
“We will also promote e-filing, which will take the burden off the department and increase the number of tax payers. It also takes less time for the tax-payer and for us to complete the formalities,” added Prasad.
Last year, the total tax collection in Bangalore was Rs40,200 crore.
This year, the target has been set for Rs48,500 crore and the department expects to reach that target.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}