Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Direct Taxes

New Delhi, 7th February, 2017.

Press Release

CBDT issues third round of Certificates of appreciation to tax payers for their contribution towards Nation building.

In continuation of the initiative of the Government to acknowledge the contribution of tax payers by paying taxes towards nation building and promptness in filing of Income Tax Returns, CBDT has issued the third round of Certificates to nearly 3.74 Lakh tax payers. With this, the total number of certificates issued by CBDT now stands at approximately 23 Lakh.

Individual tax payers may take note that such certificates of appreciation are only sent by e-mail in various categories on the basis of the taxes paid by them for the Assessment Year 2016-17, where taxes have been paid in full, tax payers have no outstanding tax liabilities, the return is e-filed within the prescribed due date and verified through Digital Signature or Electronic Verification Code (EVC) or submission of signed ITR-V to CPC Bangalore. The categories for individual taxpayers are:

i. Platinum -Taxpayers who have contributed ₹ 1 Crore and above as tax

ii. Gold -Taxpayers who have contributed between ₹ 50 Lakh and ₹ 1 Crore as tax

iii. Silver -Taxpayers who have contributed between ₹ 10 Lakh and ₹ 50 Lakh as tax

iv. Bronze -Taxpayers who have contributed between ₹ 1 Lakh and ₹ 10 Lakh as tax

Taxpayers are advised to verify and update their email address and mobile number on the e-filing website to receive electronic communication. It may be noted that taxpayers can provide upto two email and two mobile numbers in their profile. Therefore, it is strongly advised that taxpayers should provide their personal and regularly used Email and Mobile number as their primary email.

The CBDT urges taxpayers to e-file their returns in time and verify their return by submitting the Electronic Verification Code online or sending their ITR-V within the 120 day period so that they can be also acknowledged for their contribution.

(Meenakshi Goswami)

Commissioner of Income Tax

(Media & Technical Policy)

Official Spokesperson, CBDT.

Taxpayer recognition: certificates issued for fully paid, timely filed and verified returns to encourage compliance and accurate contact details. Certificates of Appreciation are issued electronically in tiered categories for taxpayers who have fully paid taxes, have no outstanding liabilities, and have e-filed and verified their returns by Digital Signature, EVC, or submission of signed ITR-V; taxpayers must update primary email and mobile details on the e-filing portal to receive the certificate.