I-T dept to open 1,080 assessment offices in country

NEW DELHI: The Income Tax department hopes to mop up an additional revenue of more than Rs 25 crore by opening 1,080 assessment offices for taxpayers and increasing the number of tax collectors in every office.

A decision to implement these new measures was recently taken after the government in May approved a large-scale cadre restructuring of the department and created 20,751 posts, in various ranks, in the I-T department.

According to a new blueprint, the number of assessment units of the department would be "increased by 1,080 from 3,420 to 4,500 for strengthening the tax administration."

This step is expected to "bring additional revenue of Rs 25,756.04 crore per annum against an expenditure of Rs 449.71 crore per annum," the new blueprint said.

The department has also decided to depute one more assessing officer in each I-T range and the number of administrative Commissioners (who look after tax collection work) will be enhanced from 228 to 250.

"114 special ranges will be created with adequate supporting manpower while reserve of 620 would be created in the Indian Revenue Service cadre," the document said.

The department will also expand offices which deal with "critical" areas of international tax, investigations, and Tax Deducted at Source ( TDS) as the action undertaken by these wings add to the revenue collection in a big way.