- On the 166th Foundation Day of the Income Tax Department, Governor Acharya Devvrat praises the tax system and says the tax system has become transparent and taxpayer-friendly
- The Income Tax Department and taxpayers play a key role in taking India towards a 5 trillion dollar economy
- Describing digital reforms, faceless assessment and tax exemption up to Rs 12 lakh as symbols of the government’s positive attitude, the Governor honors the CAs, officers and employees who have rendered excellent service
- The Income Tax Department has transformed from a law enforcement-based organization to a service organization: Satish Sharma, Gujarat Chief Income Tax Commissioner
R MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, JULY 24
When India is moving towards becoming the fourth largest global economy and the economy is going to achieve the target of 5 trillion dollars, it is the result of the honesty of the taxpayers and the dedication of the Income Tax Department, the state is collecting an annual income tax of ₹1,05,421 crore, which is a proof of the economic strength of the society, Governor Acharya Devvrat said here on Thursday.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the 166th Foundation Day celebration of the Income Tax Department in Ahmedabad, Governor Acharya Devvrat said, “Today we are moving on the path of development. It has become possible due to the hard work of the Income Tax Department and the trust of the taxpayers. The basic foundation of the progress of any nation, society or family is ‘economy’ and the contribution of the Income Tax Department in this direction is extremely important.
Governor Acharya Devvrat further said, “Today India’s infrastructure, the capability of the armed forces and the facilities provided to the citizens are based on a strong revenue system. In the context of Gujarat, the state is collecting an annual income tax of ₹1,05,421 crore, which is a proof of the economic strength of the society.”
The Governor, while calling for a sense of mutual trust between the taxpayers and the Income Tax Department, said that instead of an atmosphere of fear, there should be dialogue, empathy and transparency in the Income Tax process. He said that when a person is in front of an Income Tax officer, the officer should also think about how he would have felt if he were in his place.
Tax collection is not just revenue collection, but a means of social equality: Governor
Governor Acharya Devvrat in his address made it clear that tax collection is not just revenue collection, but a means of social equality. He said that the purpose of tax is to distribute the resources of the wealthy class equally among the people, so that the spirit of harmony, brotherhood and unity becomes stronger in the society.
Appreciating the digital reforms and simplification of tax procedures by the Income Tax Department, the Governor said that today’s working system has become simpler and more transparent than before. He termed progressive decisions like tax exemption up to ₹ 12 lakh as a reflection of the government’s positive attitude towards taxpayers.
Governor Acharya Devvrat said, “Economic prosperity becomes a means of peace, respect and stability in life and this fact has been described in our Vedas, Upanishads and Indian traditions as the four pillars of manhood – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.”
Referring to the concept of ancient Indian religion, he said, “Religion does not mean sect, but duty and morality. What I want for myself, I should also want for others – that is true religion.”
He said that the role of the Income Tax Department is crucial in achieving the goal of Developed India- 2047 set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He wished all the officers and employees good health, long life and happiness and peace in the family.
Transformation of IT Department, a unique system of its kind in the whole world
On this occasion, Gujarat Chief Income Tax Commissioner Satish Sharma in his address highlighted the historic changes in the Income Tax Department and said, “The Income Tax Department has transformed from a law enforcement-based organization to a service organization. When I started the service in 1990, the office was 100% paper based, whereas today the entire system has become 100% digital.”
He said, “Now the taxpayer does not need to come to the Income Tax office, refund is being received within 10 days and assessment has also become faceless. This is a unique system of its kind in the whole world, which many countries are thinking of adopting.”
Comparing the radical changes in the tax system, Sharma said, “Earlier the tax rate was up to 60%, while now the maximum rate is 30%. In 1990, the tax collection was ₹10,000 crore, which has now crossed ₹22 lakh crore and the target this year is ₹25 lakh crore.” He termed this as a result of the honesty of the taxpayers, efficiency of the department and taxpayer-friendly policies of the government.
Sharma said that earlier only 40 lakh people used to file income tax returns, while now this number has reached 9 crore, and the rate of verification cases has also come down from 5% to just 0.2%.
Emphasizing on the technological development of the Income Tax Department, he said that we get information about more than 60 crore financial transactions annually only from TDS returns, due to which the returns are already filled and taxpayers get transparent and accurate facilities.
He expressed hope that the new Income Tax Act (2025) will make the tax system more simple now. Sharma called upon all officers and employees to be sensitive towards taxpayers, put themselves in their shoes and take decisions and develop a tax administration system that paves the way for a fair, efficient and prosperous India.
Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS) Aparna Agarwal delivered the welcome address.
On this occasion, the Governor honored the officers and employees of the Income Tax Department who rendered excellent service. The Governor honored the students who won various competitions organized to spread awareness about taxes among the students by giving awards..
On this occasion, Chief Income Tax Commissioner (Ahmedabad-1) Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Director General (Investigation) of Income Tax Department Sunil Kumar Singh and senior officers and employees of the department were also present.
