ICAI gives suggestions for improvement in Income Tax Refund Issue Process

a) Difficulties in obtaining old paper refunds -Presently, the refund, if exceeds Rs. 1 lacs requires approval from the higher authorities. Apart from these, re-issue of old paper refunds, already issued by the department before the implementation of Refund Banker Scheme but not received by the assessee, also requires approval from the higher authorities. The second part of the administrative steps in refund cases have become very cumbersome procedures and at the same time also increases the responsibilities of the higher authorities. Moreover, refunds in such cases often delayed by more than 6 months inspite of furnishing of bank pass book and the indemnity bond by the assessee in support of refund not received by them. Suggestions – It is suggested that old paper refunds not exceeding Rs.1 lakh, issued by the department and not received by the assessees, may not require approval from higher authorities and must be left to the Assessing Officers for disposal. This will help in reducing the pending grievances of nonreceipt of old paper refunds. b) Refunds not delivered due to change in address The assessees frequently change their addresses due to several reasons like change in job, marriage etc. However, in majority of cases they are unable to get their refund cheque due to changed address. Even if they disclose the current address in the Income-tax return, the refund cheque often goes to the older address and thus remains undelivered. Suggestions -To handle such cases, it is suggested that once the return has been processed by CPC, the file should be transferred to respective Assessing Officer, with whom the assessee can interact to resolve the issues in the processing of return, non receipt of refund cheque and so on. c) Issue of Refunds in case of legal heirs New set of guidelines can be issued for granting refund of tax to the legal heirs of deceased assesses. Most of the refund claims are pending for several months as the department software (AST) requires Court Order for payment of refund. Minimum period of disposal of order by Court is about 2 years. Obtaining Court Order can be relaxed for refunds not exceeding Rs.50,000/- and refund can be given as per the discretion of the Assessing Officer. Suggestions -It is suggested that in case of refunds of an amount not exceeding Rs. 50,000 which are payable to legal heirs of deceased assessee, the condition of obtaining Court Order be relaxed and refund be given as per the discretion of the Assessing Officer. d) Refund amount to be directly paid into the bank accounts of the assessees The speed and the amount of refunds that have been granted by the Department in last few years have been commendable. In order to be further be effective and assessee friendly, it is suggested that the refunds in respect of efiled returns as well as manual returns be issued directly into assessees bank account within maximum time limit of 6 months from filing of returns. This would solve the problem of undelivered refund cheques and also save on interest which is paid by the Government on delayed refunds. Suggestions It is suggested that the refunds in respect of all returns (e-filed returns as well as manual returns) be mandatorily deposited directly into assessee’s bank account within maximum time limit of 6 months from filing of returns