The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued refunds worth Rs 71,229 crore in more than 21.24 lakh cases up to July 11 to help taxpayers with liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic days, the department issued a statement on Friday.
Further, it added that income tax refunds amounting to Rs. 24,603 crore have been issued in 19.79 lakh cases to taxpayers in addition to corporate tax refunds amounting to Rs. 46,626 crore in 1.45 lakh cases.
The statement said that "It is stated that the government has laid great emphasis on providing tax-related services to the taxpayers without any hassles and is aware that during these difficult times of Covid-19 pandemic, many of the taxpayers are waiting to see that their tax demands and refunds reach finality as quickly as possible."
The department further emphasized that all the refund related cleaning up of the tax demands are being taken up on priority and is likely to be completed by 31st August, 2020. "Also, all applications for rectifications and for giving effect to appeal orders are to be uploaded on the ITBA. It has been decided to do all the work of rectification and appeal effect on ITBA only. It is reiterated that taxpayers, for quick processing of their refunds, should provide immediate response to the emails of IT Department A quick response from the taxpayer in this regard would facilitate the I-T Department to process their refunds expeditiously."
Many taxpayers have submitted their responses electronically for rectification, appeal effects, or tax credits. These are being attended to in a time bound manner. All refunds have been issued online and directly into the bank accounts of the taxpayers, the statement read.
