The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Kashmir, participated in a familiarisation programme on the proposed Income Tax Act, 2025, organised by the Income Tax Department in Srinagar and put forward a series of recommendations aimed at improving taxpayer services and ease of compliance in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The PHDCCI delegation was led by its chairman, A P Vicky Shaw, who attended the programme as a special invitee, along with co-chairman Himayu Wani and member Mushtaq Ahmad Mir.
The programme was attended by Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Amritsar Region) Dr G S Phani Kishore, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, J&K, Monika Dhami, senior departmental officers, tax professionals and representatives of trade and industry.
During the interactive session, PHDCCI welcomed the Department’s initiative to engage stakeholders on the proposed legislation and stressed the need for continued dialogue between tax authorities and the business community to ensure effective implementation of the new law.
The Chamber submitted several suggestions to enhance taxpayer services and improve access to tax administration in the region.
Among its key recommendations was a proposal for the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Amritsar Bench, to conduct hearings involving Kashmir-based assessees through virtual mode. PHDCCI said virtual hearings would reduce travel costs and time, while ensuring faster and more accessible justice for taxpayers in the Valley.
The Chamber also called for the establishment of a digital library at the Income Tax Office, Srinagar, equipped with online legal research resources, judicial databases, departmental circulars and instructions. It said the facility would benefit departmental officers, chartered accountants, advocates, taxpayers and other stakeholders, while contributing to better tax administration.
PHDCCI further advocated regular taxpayer awareness programmes, simplification of departmental communications, strengthening of grievance redressal mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives for taxpayers, professionals and unemployed youth.
Responding to the concerns raised, Dr Kishore assured participants that the Department remains committed to improving taxpayer services and that the issues highlighted during the programme would receive due consideration.
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