Former BJP Delhi President and MP Shri Vijay Goel during the Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha today appealed that the Income Tax forms need to be simplified.
He said, “The income tax forms are 14page long and require unnecessary information including details of all bank accounts and foreign travels. This impinges on the privacy of tax payers.”
The income tax forms, ITR-1 and ITR-2 require to furnish the number of bank accounts held by the individual including opened or closed, with the last balance in the account as on 31 March of the concluded fiscal year. The person is also required to furnish the name of the bank, account number, address, IFSC code and joint holder’s name.
With regard to foreign travel, the form seeks details of the passport number, place of issuance, countries visited, number of times visited and expenses incurred in case of a resident taxpayer.
This is harassing for tax payers and makes filing tax returns a headache. Shri Goel urged that the form should be a two page document in a simplified manner which will help all taxpayers. Further, he said that other forms also need to be simplified on the same pattern for the benefit of people.