CBIC to Commence Faceless Assessment by the End of the Year

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has declared that the Customs Department is going to commence a PAN-India faceless assessment by 31 Dec. The department has already tested the plan in five cities of the country. The initiative is supposed to curb corruption and bring transparency to the tax collection process.

Last year, the government had started the faceless assessment and security in the direct and indirect taxesTaxation in India Tax means a financial charge that imposed by Central and State government upon a taxpayer. In other words, taxes are the government. Read More to control the tax terrorism and alleged harassment by the tax officials. Faceless assessment is one of the tax reforms started by the government. The assessment system was earlier implied for assessing the income tax. The board has already commenced the pilot runs of the assessment system in five cities namely Vishakahpatmnam, Gandhinagar, Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru and is now planning to roll out the PAN-India plan phase-wise. The first phase of the system is planned to begin from June 8, 2020, at Bengaluru and Chennai.

“Thus, the board has decided to begin faceless assessment in phases beginning with customs stations which already have the experience of the pilot programmes,” CBIC notification said. The assessment system will be applicable to imports of products like machines and electrical equipments among other products as listed in Chapter 84 and 85 under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

Officials have informed that if the plan is implemented successfully the system will be expanded to GST assessment and resolution of disputesHave a look at the major issues/problems being faced by Indian people after the GST roll-out. We have enlisted reports and research as collected from several sectors. Read More. Under the faceless assessment, any officer can check the bills of entry of an area of a jurisdiction other than his own. The system will be virtual and automatic to ensure that the assessing officer does not meet or know the details of the assessee in any case.

The board informed that they will establish National Assessment Commissionerates (NAC), which will monitor the assessment operation for the imported goods in all the customs stations. To facilitate trade, Turant Suvidha Kendras (Quick facility centre) will be established in every custom station. The first phase of the system is planned to begin from June 8, 2020, at Bengaluru and Chennai. The assessment system will be applicable to imports of products like machines and electrical equipment among other products as listed in Chapter 84 and 85 under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.