DARE TO DISPLAY

In 2002, the police in Gorakhpur, UP, brought out an unusual calendar, featuring the photographs of hard core criminals. These calendars were displayed in police stations throughout the district and distributed free to vendors, traders and passers-by.

A huge amount of taxes are locked in dispute and these figures are going to increase over the years as the consultants / Chartered Accountants are able to convince the assessees that it is wiser, convenient &  cheaper to litigate than to pay the tax.

CBEC should also come out with similar type of calendars featuring all the high value defaulters of both Central Excise and Service Tax. The photo & name of the authorized persons of the defaulting firms should be included in the calendar. Ideally, the names of their ‘learned’ consultants / Chartered Accountants should also be disclosed, as they are the guiding lights behind many of the decisions to litigate. Definitely it will have an impact on the defaulters list and the Commissioner(TAR) will be able to liquidate some of the tax dues.

Even though Service tax has reached its youth, still awareness and knowledge of the taxation is still in its infancy, and in the guise of facilitation, the consultants /Chartered Accountants have created a barrier between the Department and the assessees. 

Until the Board does not make efforts remove this barrier, the gap between the Department & the assessees is going to be exploited.

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