Finance Minister Sitharaman Speeds Up Tax Refunds and Boosts Services
New Delhi: Important Meetings and New Plans
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is taking action. She wants to make sure tax refunds for income tax, GST, and export-related dues are on time. She will also tackle the long delays in investigations by the Directorate General of GST Investigation (DGGI).
Meetings Ahead
- Sitharaman will meet top officials of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs next Friday.
- She will talk with principal chief commissioners of income tax on June 23.
Key Areas of Focus
The main goals are to improve services for taxpayers, handle legal disputes better, and make the system more accountable.
Checking Refund Delays
If refunds take more than 60 days, they will be closely checked. Officials will need to explain even if refunds are rejected. This ensures that money is not stuck and can be used by businesses for growth.
Making Income Tax Better
Income tax return processing and refunds have gotten better over the years. However, the Finance Minister will focus on cases where payments were late. This includes returns that were not processed and corrections affected by system issues.
Reviewing Cargo Clearance Times
The minister will look at how long it takes to clear cargo at ports and airports. Officials from CBIC have been asked to share data on clearances using the risk management system and the timelines for each zone.
Looking into DGGI Investigations
The way DGGI works and its investigations, which are often “open-ended,” have worried the industry. The Finance Minister’s focus on cases pending for over 180 days sends a clear message. The government does not want unnecessary scrutiny.
