8 reasons why I-T dept's 'Aaykar Setu' app is a taxpayer's bridge

Mumbai: The amount of hassle you have to undergo every time to calculate and pay your income tax is ready to take a backseat with the Income Tax Department’s newly launched app ‘Aaykar Setu’.

Aaykar Setu allows you to do pretty much anything related to tax paying, including tracking TDS, paying taxes, applying for permanent account number (PAN), among various other things. 'Aaykar Setu' was launched by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday. It is available on Android 5.0 and above phones and can be downloaded on Google Play or by giving a missed call to 7306525252.

Here is a short tour of this app that literally serves as the bridge between the government and the tax payer:

1. TRP at your doorstep

Has your tax preparer been re-scheduling your appointment or worse avoiding you at the eleventh hour? Aaykar Setu’s TRP at your doorstep feature allows you to locate tax preparers closest to you in less than a minute. You will be provided with their email IDs, contact numbers and full addresses.  It also provides information about all the tax payment service (TPS) offices across India. You can  also locate the nearest TPS office.

2. Return preparation made easy

How often have you tried to wrap your head around the complicated procedure of return filing. Aaykar Setu helps you to calculate tax with the help of a TRP, download the form, pay the tax and file tax returns, accompanied by a step-by-step guide.

You can file revised returns, check the refund status, track the status of ITR-V receipt, e-verify your returns, view your previously filled e-filed returns/forms and even check your outstanding tax demand status. You can also submit your response to the outstanding demand status.  The app allows you to register a legal heir for a deceased assessee.

3. Tax Tools

Tax tools include facilities that quickly calculate information by providing basic information. You can calculate the taxable value of perquisites your for medical facilities provided by your employer, or that for rent-free accommodation, transport allowance, allowance for education of your children, etc.  You may also calculate your TDS, advance taxes and deferred tax.

4. Tax Payment

This feature allows you to pay taxes, calculate your taxes again, file rectification for tax credit mismatch, make enquiry about challan status, make correction in challan and get your tax credit statement.

5. Apply for PAN/TAN

No more queuing up in government offices for applying for PAN or TAN.  You can apply for re-issuance of PAN, correction in PAN, verify your PAN, link it with Aadhaar and even give up your duplicate PAN in case you have one. You can also initiate PAN migration when you relocate and submit your grievances in case of any issue.

Your TAN data can also be updated. You can also apply and register for TAN via the app.

6. TDS/Traces

If you are a tax deductor, the app allows you to file for TDS returns, check TDS rates, get information on the relevant forms, pay TDs/TCS online and provides you with a guide to paying TDS on sale of a property.

If you are a tax deductee, you can check your TDS status and rates, get tax credit statement. You can check for any mismatch as well verify your Form 16/16A.

7.Tax Gyaan ‘A Game’

This game allows you to learn about taxes and has four different levels.

8. Live chatbot and FAQs

Despite all these features if you are still facing any hiccups, this Live chat feature is available from Monday to Friday between 10AM to 6PM. You can also check out the FAQs or send in your own question to experts using the ASK IT feature.