Page 16 - NIS English Jul 16-31 2024

Cover Story

important system of the 21st-century tax system. Refunds
Major reforms like faceless assessment, appeal,
and taxpayers charter in the country have given n
new confidence to honest taxpayers. The thinking The highest number of refunds have been issued
behind this is that the honest taxpayer of the country in FY 2023-24, both in number and value. Issuing
plays a very big role in nation-building. Facilities like refunds on time is an important component of
Faceless Assessment have reduced the interference taxpayer service.
of the government with the commitment of minimum
government, and maximum governance. 3.79 Crore

A people centric approach to governance
The thinking of the central government for the last
decade has been that instead of making every policy, number of refunds issued in FY 2023-24.
process, rule, and law government-centric, the emphasis This number was 3.17 crore in FY 2022-23,
should be on making it people-centric and public- an increase of 20 percent in one year.
friendly. The pleasant result of the governance model
of the new India is reflected in the tax system. These n
reforms have created an environment in the country Refunds amounting to Rs 3.78 lakh crore were
where every citizen of the country should do all the work issued in FY 2023-24, compared to Rs 3.08 lakh
while keeping the sense of duty paramount. crore in 2022-23, an increase of 23 percent
There are four other reasons behind these changes, in one year.
not punishment or strictness. n 1.03 lakh refunds of Rs 1,035 crore were issued per
First- good governance based on policy reform. That is, day on an average in FY 2023-24.
when policies are clear, the barriers are reduced and due n Refunds are reaching 97 percent of accounts
to this discrimination in business is reduced.
within 3 days, after the implementation of
Second- faith in the honesty of the common man. TIN2.0 technology.
Third- large-scale use of technology by limiting human
intervention in the government system. This is the ITR filing increased by 126 per cent
reason that today whether it is government procurement,
government tender, or delivery of government services,
technical interfaces are providing services everywhere.
And fourth- rewarding the qualities of efficiency,
honesty, and sensitivity in government machinery, and 8.60 Crore
bureaucracy.

Comprehensive tax system reforms
From returns to refunds, the entire system is now ITRs were filed in FY 2023-24 while
online. Previously, reforms were often superficial, 3.80 crore ITRs were filed in FY 2013-
driven by compulsion or pressure, and did not yield 14. This increase was 126.31 percent
desired results. Today, reforms are policy-based, in a decade.
holistic, and continuous, reducing complexities and
making compliance easier. Now reforms mean policy-
based reforms with holistic thinking. Also now the
seamless process of reform moves forward with
continuity because where there are complexities,
compliance is also difficult. If there is at least a clear
law, then the taxpayer and the country will happily
comply with it. The system from returns to refunds
has been completely made online. The new tax regime

14 New India Samachar July 16-31, 2024