Convoluted language can frighten assessee: FM to I-T Dept

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her address during the celebration of the 165th year of Income Tax India in New Delhi, says it will be better if the tax-related communication is simpler in language, becomes devoid of technical words and is not convoluted so that an average taxpayer understands what he/she needs to do or what the notice is about.

"The language that is used in our tax notices...(should) not (be) so convoluted. After all, a taxpayer can belong to any domain. (S)He need not understand the technical language with which you are (an) expert in the domain. If your notice has to showcase your language, it can frighten the assessee," the FM told higher authorities of the I-T department.

She says the next five years will be important for the growth of India. She reiterated India's goal to become a developed nation by 2047. "..for (this) our citizens will have to be a lot more empowered, they should have opportunities for creating a better economic environment for themselves and their families."

She says within two years of bringing in the new tax regime, 72% of all taxpayers have moved to it from the 'old tax regime'. "There are four major objectives that we're aiming for -- simplified taxes, improved taxpayer services, tax certainty, and reduced litigation." The FM says within six months, the government will have some part of the Income Tax Act written in "simple easy-to-understand" language.