Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 7, 2025, Kolkata : In a continued effort to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the Faceless Assessment and Appeal process, Ms. Jahanzeb Akhtar, the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Pr.CCIT) heading the National Faceless Assessment Centre (NaFAC) and National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC) in New Delhi, conducted an outreach program today at Aayakar Bhawan, Kolkata. The event aimed to engage with both internal and external stakeholders, understand the challenges faced by them, and gather suggestions for improving workflows and systems within the Income Tax Department.
Ms. Akhtar outlined the significant advancements made in the Faceless vertical of the Income Tax Department, emphasizing the pioneering role of this digitalized system in tax administration. The Faceless Assessment Scheme, launched in 2020 under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, stands as a global model for tax administration, utilizing anonymized case allocations and fully digitalized interactions between taxpayers and the Department. This innovative system has been designed to reduce human intervention, thereby enhancing fairness, speed, and transparency.
During her address, Ms. Akhtar urged officers and officials to take pride in the Faceless Scheme, stressing that it is crucial to discard outdated practices that hinder taxpayer convenience and ease of business. She further highlighted the importance of safeguarding the confidentiality and anonymity inherent in the Faceless Scheme, warning that any attempt to compromise its integrity would result in severe consequences. As part of her message, she reinforced the role of tax administrators in upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.
The program also featured presentations and discussions led by key officers from NaFAC and NFAC, including Ms. Sarita Kumari, CIT, Shri Arvind Singh, Addl. CIT, and Ms. Sangeeta Yadav, Addl. CIT. Their contributions centered on improving the faceless tax procedures and addressing any challenges faced by the Department and taxpayers alike.
Shri Shrikant Kumar Ambastha, CCIT for Kolkata Regions 3 and 6, delivered the welcome address, setting a collaborative tone for the discussions. Smt. Nivedita Biswas, CCIT for Kolkata Regions 4 and 5, also participated in the event, offering valuable insights into the ongoing efforts to improve tax administration in the region.
A significant portion of the outreach program focused on engaging with external stakeholders, including tax practitioners, chartered accountants, advocates, and representatives from trade bodies and chambers of commerce. These stakeholders were encouraged to share their honest feedback and constructive suggestions for enhancing the Faceless experience. Ms. Akhtar and her team took the opportunity to onboard these perspectives, aiming to understand the challenges faced by external parties and identify areas for improvement.
At the same time, Ms. Akhtar cautioned external stakeholders against becoming involved in any attempts to unduly influence the outcomes of faceless proceedings, urging them to work in collaboration with the Income Tax Department to improve the system and ensure its continued success.
The outreach program highlighted the government’s commitment to maintaining a robust and transparent tax administration system, with a focus on leveraging technology to simplify the taxpayer experience. As the Faceless Scheme continues to evolve, both internal and external stakeholders are being encouraged to contribute to the process, ensuring that the system remains effective and aligned with the needs of the taxpayers.
