FM lists 3 principles to widen tax base

NEW DELHI: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday asked the Income-Tax Department to follow three broad principles transparency, objectivity and taxpayer-friendliness - to widen the tax base, and evoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maxim to use technology for boosting revenues without raising tax rates or resorting to overreach

- Rajeev Jayaswal

Speaking at the 164th Income Tax Day, she said pre-filled data, instant generation of the permanent account number (PAN), taxpayers charter, faster refunds and the faceless system of tax administration introduced recently have not only made tax assesses comfortable but also helped in raising revenue collections without raising tax rates. "And, that is why I refer to the PM's statement that unless we get in technology, the three points -- transparency, objectivity, and being taxpayer friendly -- may never be achieved."