Assessees get ‘golden’ pat in return from taxman

A letter from the taxman can never be good news, or so one always thought. If at all they sent a communication, it would be to ask if you have paid your taxes, much like your schoolteacher who demands to see the homework when you enter the class after a long festival holiday.

However, in a pleasant move, the I-T department has sent e-mails, attaching a Certificate of Appreciation from no less a person than the Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Union Ministry of Finance. 

There are clear instructions on how to download the certificate, which is in PDF format, for printing. It even recommends the paper quality (300 GSM) required to print out the medal.

“I burst out laughing when I received the e-mail, informing me of the certificate. I appear to have made it to the bronze category,” says 30year old Kasturi Rangan, who works for a start-up. It’ s a nice gesture,” he adds.

On the other hand, 25-year old Lakshmi, employed in a multinational firm, does not see the lighter side of it. “I do not like to be reminded that I am a taxpayer, because it reminds me of how little bank balance I have. I would have been happy if the tax authorities had sent a mail along with the medal saying I am exempted from paying tax as I have been a model citizen in filing my returns on time,” she adds.

According to R Chandramouli, a chartered accountant, the I-T department is issuing Certificates of Appreciation in three categories, gold, silver and bronze. “Super seniors in the age group of 80 years and above receive the gold medal, those falling in the 60 to 79 are given silver medal and all direct tax payers below the age of 60 are handed a bronze medal,” he says. 

Will individual tax exemption ever become a reality? According to a taxation expert, there is some speculation that if the direct tax collection crosses Rs 2 lakh crore, individual taxes may go. “However, it may not happen in the next 10 years,” adds the expert.