Industry seeks easier tax rules, dispute fixes

With the Union Budget three months away, major industry chambers have submitted to the government proposals on common taxes, seeking simpler compliance and a quicker resolution of tax disputes.

- MONIKA YADAV

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) have recommended statutory timelines for disposing of income-tax appeals and improvements to the faceless appeal system.

The chambers pointed to more than 540,000 appeals lying before the commissioner of income tax (appeals), involving disputed tax demands of over ₹18 trillion.

They said the delays locked up capital and affected business planning.

The measures suggested include prioritising high-value cases, permitting virtual hearing where needed, and sharing draft orders to allow the correction of factual errors.