The Income Tax Department has taken note of grievances of taxpayers arising on account of outstanding tax demand which may be inaccurate due to non-reporting or delayed reporting of TDS by deductors leading to mismatch between the claim and data available with the Department, non-posting of challans, non-disposal of rectification applications, incorrect details of income or pre-paid taxes reported by taxpayer etc.

In order to swiftly and accurately resolve such grievances, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance has issued a comprehensive Circular No. 8 of 2015 dated 14.05.2015 which is available on the websites of the Department http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in & www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. The Circular explains the various steps to be taken by the taxpayers to view and submit their response with regard to their outstanding tax demand.  The Circular elucidates the range of facilities available and the responsibilities of the Assessing officers to verify and take corrective actions.  Demand up to ₹ 1,00,000/- for an Assessment year in case of an Individual or HUF which has already been paid but is shown as outstanding due to mis-match etc. can be rectified on the basis of evidence of tax paid as submitted by the taxpayer.

The taxpayers may view their outstanding tax demand on their e-filing account at www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in and follow the steps elucidated in the Circular to submit their response either agreeing with or disputing the demand.

The Income Tax Department is committed to early and satisfactory resolution of taxpayers’ grievances.   About 95% of entries of Demand involve demand up to  ₹ 1 lakh and about 90 % of such assessees are Individuals and HUFs.  It is expected that majority of the grievances of small taxpayers can be redressed by following the procedure prescribed in the circular.

Verification and correction of tax demand through e filing enables taxpayers to dispute mismatches and submit evidence for rectification. The Circular directs taxpayers to use the e filing portal to view, verify and respond to outstanding tax demands caused by mismatches from delayed or non reporting of TDS, non posting of challans, incorrect income or prepaid tax entries, or pending rectification applications, and requires Assessing Officers to accept submitted evidence of tax payment and take corrective action to rectify records shown as outstanding.