Strict Confidentiality of Taxpayer Data

The income tax department adheres to strict confidentiality of taxpayer data, says CBDT chairman Ravi Agrawal. He asserts that stringent internal controls are in place to uphold confidentiality and integrity.

Modernizing Tax Laws for the Digital Age

In an interview to TOI, Agrawal explains that the powers to access digital devices during search and survey operations are being updated in the new I-T Bill to reflect the digital age. These provisions are strictly applicable only during search and survey operations, not meant to breach the online privacy of common taxpayers.

Building Trust with Taxpayers

The department will continue to work on a "Trust First and Scrutinize Later" philosophy, recognizing that most taxpayers are honest. Intrusive steps are reserved for cases with credible intelligence or significant evidence of large-scale tax evasion.

Technology's Role in Tax Administration

End-to-end automation of ITR processing, including real-time challan validation and automated refund processing, has significantly improved the taxpayer experience. The use of AI, ML, and blockchain technology is expected to play a critical role in detecting and curbing tax evasion in the future.