Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Around six crore income tax returns have been filed in 2023-24, of which 70 per cent were filed under the new simplified tax regime which offers a lower rate of tax but fewer deductions, Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra has said.
Addressing the post-budget session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Malhotra said, “Initially some apprehensions were raised in some sections as to whether people would shift to the simplified tax regime. However, the large percentage of taxpayers preferring to adopt the new regime reflects a positive response and the successful transition to the simplified system,” he pointed out.
The new tax regime, introduced to simplify the tax process, offers lower tax rates compared to the previous regime but provides fewer exemptions and deductions. Malhotra highlighted that the move towards this regime aims to reduce compliance burdens and make the tax system simpler for individuals to deal with. He also said that the comprehensive income tax review announced in the Budget for 2024-25 is aimed at making the tax law simpler. “We will come up with a draft and then we will seek suggestions from stakeholders,” Malhotra added.
