Rs 71,229 cr refunded to help taxpayers during Covid-19 pandemic: CBDT

The CBDT has issued refunds worth Rs 71,229 crore in more than 21.24 lakh cases upto July 11 during the pandemic, since the Government’s decision of April 8 to issue pending income tax refunds at the earliest, according to a Finance Ministry statement here on Friday.

Income tax refunds amounting to Rs 24,603 crore have been issued in 19.79 lakh cases to taxpayers and corporate tax refunds amounting to Rs 46,626 crore in 1.45 lakh cases have been issued to taxpayers during COVID-19.

It is stated that the government has laid great emphasis on providing tax related services to the taxpayers without any hassles and is aware that during these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic, many of the taxpayers are waiting to see that their tax demands and refunds reach finality as quickly as possible.

All the refund-related cleaning up of the tax demands are being taken up on priority and is likely to be completed by August 31. Also, all applications for rectifications and for giving effect to appeal orders are to be uploaded on the Income Tax Business Application (ITBA).

It has been decided to do all the work of rectification and appeal effect on ITBA only.

"It is reiterated that taxpayers, for quick processing of their refunds, should provide immediate response to the emails of I-T Department. A quick response from the taxpayer in this regard would facilitate the I-T Department to process their refunds expeditiously," the department said in a statement.

Many taxpayers have submitted their responses electronically for rectification, appeal effects or tax credits.

These are being attended to in a time-bound manner. All refunds have been issued online and directly into the bank accounts of the taxpayers.