New feature introduced on Income Tax Portal, what will be the benefit to taxpayers

The Income Tax Department has launched a new feature on its e-filing portal. Taxpayers will now be able to view online the progress of their income tax returns after filing them. Taxpayers will be able to find out when and at what time the assessing officer or the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has reviewed their returns.

The introduction of this facility will strengthen taxpayer confidence, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability of officials. Taxpayers will be able to monitor the progress of their income tax return files. They will be able to know when and at what time the relevant official has reviewed the file they submitted online. Taxpayers will be able to know when their response is being reviewed.

The new feature will not compromise privacy. No one other than the taxpayer will be able to know the status of their return filing.

What will be the benefits of the new feature?

• The taxpayer will immediately know when the return file is processed.
• Officials will be under pressure to process files on time, knowing that proceedings are being digitally recorded.
• There will be ease in dealing with matters of delay or dispute.
• Taxpayers’ confidence in the department will increase.

Notification of new income tax rules by December 31

The new Income Tax Act will come into effect at the beginning of the next financial year, 2026-27. Information about the changes to these rules will be available by December 31st. The Ministry is working on this rapidly.

A senior government official said the new tax structure will have 400 rules, compared to the current tax structure’s more than 500. The new income tax law aims to simplify compliance and improve administration. The official said the ministry will issue a notification regarding the new tax rules by December 31st.