Govt likely to drop controversial I.T return form

New Delhi, June 8 (UNI) Faced with an all-round criticism, the government today indicated that the four-page controversial income tax returns form, replacing 'Saral' and seeking details of expenses of an assessee, may be dropped next year, while it is optional for the returns to be submitted by July 2006.

Revenue Secretary K M Chandrashekhar told reporters that Form 2 F has been notified only for this year with a provision that the tax-payer may fill up the return about expenses, only if he choses to. '' For next year, all options are open'', the Revenue Secretary said.

The government was faced with widespread criticism, even from the Congress Party, for asking salaried employees to give their returns on a complicated four page form rather than the popular 'Saral' form.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) made it clear that there was no need to submit details of the expenss for this year. As for the next year, ''all options are open'', the Revenue Secretary said.

He said the decision to continue or drop the four-page form, as is optional this year, would depend on the feedback from the tax-payers.

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