CBDT launches `Aayakar Sethu’ for closer link with income tax payers

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Monday launched a new tax payer module that allows income tax payers perform basic functions through their smartphone as also apply for Permanent Account Number (PAN) and seek redressal of grievances.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley launched the mobile app `Aayakar Sethu' that will also help people link their 12-digit biometric identifier Aadhaar with PAN card as well as track the TDS deduction details. Aaykar Setu, which literally means bridge for taxpayers, will be available in Android phones besides a desktop version.

Jaitley stressed on the government's commitment towards continuously upgrading tax payer services and said this e-initiative would not only provide better taxpayer services but would also help in reducing the direct physical interface between assessees and tax assessing authorities, thereby also minimising the chances of any tax harassment.  

''The new step is an effort by the Income Tax Department to directly communicate with the taxpayers, on a range of multiple informative and useful tax services aimed at providing tax information at their fingertips.

''The module compiles various tax tools, live chat facility, dynamic updates, and important links to various processes within the Income Tax Department in a single module. The tax payers will also be able to receive regular updates regarding important tax dates, forms and notifications on mobile numbers registered with the ITD,'' an official release stated.

All taxpayers who wish to receive SMS alerts should register their mobile numbers in the Aayakar Setu module.