More User-Friendly e-Filing Portal on the Cards for Taxpayers

Early next month, the Income Tax Department is slated to launch a new e-filing web platform for taxpayers, which they will use to file ordinary ITRs and other tax-related tasks, according to officials.

Between June 1 and 6, the present portal will be unavailable for six days. The new platform, according to officials, would be more user-friendly. The "transition" from the previous portal, www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in, to the new, www.incometaxgov.in, will be completed and made active from June 7, according to an order issued by the department's systems arm on Wednesday.

"In preparation for this launch and for migration activities, the existing portal of the department would not be available for a brief period of six days from June 1 to 6," the order said. The exiting portal will "not be available" to both the taxpayers as well as Income Tax Department officers during this period, it said.

"All officers may be directed to fix any hearing or compliances only from June 10 onwards to give taxpayers time to respond to the new system," it said. Any work scheduled between the taxpayer and the assessing officer of the department may be preponed or adjourned, the order said.

Taxpayers use the e-filing platform to file their individual or business income tax returns (ITRs), as well as to lodge complaints, claim refunds, and complete other tasks with the tax department. It is used by the taxmen to send notices, collect and answer queries, and convey final orders such as assessments, appeals, exemptions, and penalties, among other activities.