Faceless Assessments: 97% Of CBDT’s Workforce Feels Left Out, Says Tax Officers’ Association 

A body of income tax employees has raised concerns about possible displacement of its members after the introduction of faceless assessment, saying suggestions were't discussed with them.

A Joint Council of Action, representing the Income Tax Employees Federation and the Income Tax Gazetted Officers' Association, wrote to the Central Board of Direct Taxes stating that 97% of the department's employees feel left out as they were not taken into confidence.

This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a slew of tax reforms last week, including faceless assessments, appeals as well as a tax charter which directs the authorities to trust taxpayers and avoid treating them with suspicion without evidence.

The council is concerned with protecting the working conditions and career progression of the tax officers, the letter said, urging the CBDT to ensure that no employee is made redundant, existing vacancies are filled up along with due promotions in light of the reforms announced by the government.

Expressing dismay over the internal administrative changes, the letter says that the exercise would cause a “massive displacement” of officers if not implemented in a thoughtful manner.

The letter also says that:

• An ill conceived or large-scale diversion or transfer of officers may cause displacement of employees and their families causing operational difficulties.
• Field units of the tax department were only provided three days to provide suggestions on the administrative changes.
• The CBDT did not discuss the suggestions with the major stakeholders including the joint council.

The council urged the tax department to have a discussion before the planned diversion of positions.

Addressing a webinar organised by the Bombay Chartered Accountants Society, Kamlesh Varshney, joint secretary in the Ministry of Finance, said that all three associations representing the income tax department officers, however, welcomed the reforms announced by the government.

“The letter expresses support and says that it is a good step," he said. "It does not comment about the pressure of tax collections but raises concerns about transfer, posting or promotion of officers, which is natural, as the associations are supposed to represent concerns of the tax department officers."