I just returned from the post office after filing my income tax returns. And quite an experience in itself. The scene is disheartening on the whole for honest (and well, dishonest) tax payers.
PSU banks have decided to strike work today, making it impossible for anyone who has not had the foresight to pay self assessment or advance tax earlier than the last date.
The IT department has decided not to accept returns on the last day.
I am given to understand that the deal is they are protesting against outsourcing. They actually believe they are very competent and afterall, human; so customers should realize that and wait through tea breaks and lunch breaks alike.
But this note is not about being cynical on these aspects.
The scene at the post office (this is the Pune GPO)
Appears that the post offices have not realized the significance of income tax returns (when I shared this thought with a friend, she said "well, do any of them really earn enough to pay taxes?" - good question). They however did have adequate notice of what was coming their way. But the result:
the inquiry counter has been made also responsible for accepting income tax returns. The counter is manned by one staff member
people queue up after reading the printed sign "INCOM TAX RETURN ACCEPTED AT INQUIRY COUNTER’ (I did not misspell that).
some good samaritan has to tell you that you need to get an envelope of size 10x12 to submit your documents else you would not be allowed to.
the post office does not, naturally, have the wherewithall for provisioning such sized envelopes but resourceful as we are, there is a lone vendor who has parked a bicycle just outside the post office gate and is selling envelopes at a premium of 10 rupees each
most people appeared to complain that the form 16 was not even received by them until a week ago.
most people did not know their ward number - this is a mysterious number that eludes all - literate or otherwise.
the envelope that you shove the documents in needs certain details - no one knows what details to provide. Each one prompts something and the rest agree. Sadly, no one has access to the internet or even the will do check up. The income tax department has provided adequate details on the net for assisting tax payers like us.
the usual confusion exists of whether 2D was appropriate or 2E or the new one that Chidambaram claims is simpler albeit longer.
India being a superpower in IT still needs to worry about the reach of IT within. And members that are making life miserable by striking work should be taken to task.