By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 10: Principal Director General of Income Tax, Archana Choudhary, has informed that the department aims to increase tax growth in the Northeastern region through various awareness initiatives.
This statement comes in light of the reports that the income tax collection in the Northeast is less than two per cent of the national total, amounting to approximately Rs 10,000 crore.
Addressing the gathering during the inauguration of the Tax Payers’ Hub here on Monday, Choudhary highlighted several factors contributing to the low tax collection from the Northeast.
She noted that numerous provisions allow residents to receive tax benefits and rebates. To address this, she added, the Income Tax department aims to enhance public understanding of taxation.
“We feel that our outreach programmes will help in growth of taxation, and when people are made about the benefits of taxation, it will have an automatic growth in the taxation of the region,” Choudhary said.
It may be mentioned that the Tax Payers’ Hub, which is an initiative to boost tax awareness and compliance, includes information kiosks, pamphlet distribution, virtual reality games, quiz competitions, magic shows, and street plays (nukkad natak).
These activities aim to sensitise taxpayers about their obligations under the Income Tax Act and address any grievances they may have.
Special brochures have also been created to promote tax literacy among the youths of Meghalaya, including details on statutory compliance for Scheduled Tribes in the North East Region to claim exemptions under section 10(26) of the Income Tax Act.
