Bangalore to give BPO help for tax returns

Bangalore: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has shown a keen interest in speeding up the use of a Centralized Process Center (CPC) for income tax (I-T) in the country. The CPC will allow speedy processing of returns and refunds.

Infosys Technologies has been chosen to set up a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) unit to answer taxpayers' queries, handle routine paperwork and speed up the process. The unit, which is ready for operation in Electronic City will be managed by departmental officers and staff who will be responsible for logistics, co-ordination, supervising operations and sovereign responsibilities. The unit already has its own commissioner, joint commissioners and several assistant commissioners.

The centre will function in two ways- bulk processing and compliance work. Under bulk processing, returns would be handled and refunds done by the State Bank of India (SBI). There would be no touch points between the I-T department and taxpayers. The data relating to processing of returns will be in the primary data-centre of the Income Tax department in New Delhi.

The CPC will enable tax refunds within three months of filing.