Tax lawyer Jatinder Khurana said: “ The industrialists are giving us the returns filled in old forms which have been saved in their computers already. They are giving us the pen drives or CDs for e filing and the returns were rejected on Thursday. Later, we found out that new forms need to be downloaded. There is no change in the format of the form or the annexure along with it, but still this new instruction has been given. This information should have been mentioned on the website of department so as to avoid harassment.” The returns have to be filed by the end of this month, but a number of businessmen have started filing these days.

This is not the first time that the filing has caused problems. In the previous quarter also, a few changes were made in the VAT forms, but after the industrialists objected, the amendments were put on hold. Lawyers for their part state that it has become very difficult for them to intimate to the client to download the new form before filing the return, majority is coming to us with already filled forms.

Deputy Excise and taxation commissioner Gurtej Singh, however, said: “ I am not aware of any problem being faced by industrialists. If they have any such issues, they can come and meet me.”

Raids increase

Ludhiana: Close to the festive season, the excise and taxation department is conducting raids to check evasion.

Teams raided Ahuja Packers in Shivpuri, Dua garments on Bahadurke road and Prime Mould, Hi-tech polymers on Thursday. The teams were still on the job till the filing this report. Apart from this, the mobile wing also collected fines worth Rs 1.72 lakh from a hosiery industrialist whose goods were allegedly being taken out without bills from the railway station. Income tax wing also conducted surveys in Ludhiana and Khanna. In Ludhiana, surveys were conducted in Focal point on Aroma alloys, Khurana steels and Sunder Forgings. In Khanna, surveys were conducted on Darshan Namkeen, Darshan Bakers and Darshan foods. The tax evasion details will come out in a day or two, sources said.

Source: Indian Express, India,  dated 14/10/2011