The income tax department has launched a new e-filing portal, 2.0, on 7th June 2021.
The link to the portal has also been updated from https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home to www.incometax.gov.in.
The new portal will have a single dashboard, which will provide specific benefits. Let us take you through the five must-know features introduced in the new portal by the department.
1. Tutorials, guidance notes and videos
The landing page of the new portal has a tab with all the categories of the taxpayers, namely individual/HUF, company, non-company, tax professionals and others. The new portal has guidance notes related to ITR forms, tax slabs, and tax deductions applicable under the dropdown of each category of taxpayers. Thus, the new portal will have category-wise guidance and manuals for the taxpayers.
Also, before login, under the section ‘Things to know’ on the landing page, the department has uploaded guidance videos related to income tax for the users.
2. Pre-filled ITRs
The ITR utilities will be pre-filled with details like salary income, interest, dividend and capital gains once the concerned entity uploads TDS and SFT details.
Apart from this, the new portal allows the taxpayer to update their profile details.
For instance, in a salaried employee, details that need to be filled in are the employer’s name, PAN and TAN.
In the case of an individual earning an income from a house property, details like the address of the house property, rental income, and PAN are mandatory.
These details, once updated by the taxpayers, will be pre-filled in their ITR utility.
Pre-filling of ITRs will enable a simplified return filing process and also reduce tax evasion.
3. Launch of the mobile app-
The new income tax portal will be available on mobile phones in the form of an app. This app will be available after the initial launch of the new portal to enable taxpayers to get used to the new features.
All the essential features of the income tax portal available on the desktop will also be available on the mobile app.
4. Query resolution through a chatbot and call centre-
The chatbot/live agent will promptly assist taxpayers in filing their ITRs and help resolve various other income tax-related queries. The portal also extends digital assistance to taxpayers through various detailed FAQs, videos and user manuals.
Also, the new portal is all set to have a ‘new call centre’ for prompt resolution of the user’s queries.
5. Tax payment facility-
The new portal now provides an income tax payment facility to the taxpayers, currently provided by the NSDL portal. The new payment system will be launched by 18th June 2021 to avoid inconvenience caused to taxpayers while paying the 1st instalment of the advance tax. The new system will provide taxpayers with various payment options such as UPI, credit card, RTGS/NEFT and net banking.
With the launch of the new portal, users are advised to re-register the DSC as the old ones are not migrated due to security issues. Also, they are advised to update the user ID and mobile number under primary contacts in their profile, link to Aadhaar and pre-validate bank account if not done previously and reset e-Filing Vault Higher Security Options.
For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at jyoti.arora@cleartax.in
I am a Chartered Accountant by profession with 4+ years of experience in the finance domain. I consider myself as someone who yearns to explore the world through travelling & Reading. I believe, the knowledge & wisdom that reading gives has helped me shape my perspective towards life, career and relationships. I enjoy meeting new people & learning about their lives & backgrounds. My mantra is to find inspiration from everyday life & thrive to be better each day.
