Delay in I-T refunds trouble tax payers

Delay in receipt of income tax returns is the most registered grievance of taxpayers in the national capital with the I-T Ombudsman receiving almost 85 per cent complaints in this regard.

The I-T Ombudsman, during 2007-09, has also come across complaints of tax refunds being lost in transit and taxpayers receiving empty refund envelopes.

"Almost 85 per cent complaints and grievances that were registered with this office during the last three years pertain to delays in receipt of refunds," Income Tax Ombudsman for Delhi Baljeet Matiyani said.

"Around three to four complaints were also received where refunds of genuine taxpayers were lost in transit including one complaint in 2008 where an assessee got an empty envelope which was supposed to contain refund receipts,"

Matiyani said The I-T ombudsman has jurisdiction across the national capital territory of Delhi.

While a total of 1,350 complaints were received by the Ombudsman this year, 1,103 cases were disposed after resolving the grievance and in five cases action was ordered for compliance by tax officials on the field.