The Income Tax Gazetted Officers’ Association has written to the CBDT requesting urgent review of departmental policies in light of the emerging geopolitical crisis arising from the Middle East conflict and the simultaneous implementation of the new Income Tax Act, 2025. Referring to the Prime Minister’s appeal for austerity measures and possible Work from Home arrangements, the Association highlighted that over a thousand newly promoted Income Tax Officers are still without departmental laptops, while many existing devices have become obsolete and unreliable. The representation emphasized that the transition to the new Income Tax Act from April 1, 2026 would involve extensive training, orientation, and interpretational challenges, significantly burdening officers and staff. In this backdrop, the Association urged CBDT to expedite laptop procurement, minimize CASS 2026 case selection, and adopt a humane and pragmatic approach toward Central Action Plan targets and administrative deadlines to ensure uninterrupted departmental functioning without causing undue pressure on field formations.
Income Tax Gazetted Officers’ Association
Date: 18-05-2026
To
The Chairman,
Central Board of Direct Taxes,
Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Request for review of departmental policies in the backdrop of emerging geopolitical situation and implementation of the New I. Tax Act-regarding
Your kind attention is invited to the recent appeal of the Hon’ble Prime Minister calling upon his countrymen to adopt austerity measures in view of the emerging crisis emanating from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region. One of the suggestions is Work from Home arrangements, to the extent possible, with the objective of conserving fuel and minimising avoidable movement. Some of the government departments have already initiated such measures in varying forms, while others are actively contemplating similar action.
If the prevailing situation persists or intensifies, adoption of Work from Home arrangements along with rotational physical attendance in Central Government offices may also become an administrative necessity rather than a matter of choice. It is pertinent to recall that during the Covid pandemic, the Income Tax Department was able to maintain uninterrupted functioning over an extended period of time primarily because its officers were equipped with departmental laptops enabling seamless remote operations. However, the present situation gives rise to serious concern. More than a thousand newly promoted ITOs across the country are yet to be provided with departmental laptops, thereby leaving a substantial segment of the field formation without the basic infrastructure required for remote functioning. Simultaneously, a large number of laptops allotted during the earlier phase have already exceeded their normal functional life and are now increasingly prone to malfunction owing to obsolescence and prolonged use.
Another significant aspect, which renders the current Financial Year exceptionally crucial for the Department, is the implementation of the new Income Tax Act, 2025 with effect from 01.04.2026. It hardly needs saying that Direct Tax legislation, even in its most simplified form, remains one of the most intricate branches of law and administration. The challenge at present is not merely of understanding a new statute, but of navigating a complex transition from a legal framework with which officers and stakeholders alike have remained familiar over decades. The transition, therefore, is bound to involve considerable practical and interpretational challenges at every level of administration. Recognising the magnitude of this shift, the Department has already embarked upon an extensive capacity-building exercise for departmental employees, taxpayers and other stakeholders across the country. Inevitably, officers and staff of all grades will remain deeply engaged in training, orientation, awareness and handholding activities throughout the year, consuming a substantial portion of effective office hours.
In view of the foregoing discussion, it is earnestly requested that the present state of departmental preparedness and functioning, in the backdrop of the above emerging developments, may kindly be comprehensively reviewed and the following measures may be favourably considered:
i) The proposal for procurement of departmental laptops may be pursued with greater urgency by specifically highlighting the emerging operational challenges arising out of the evolving geopolitical situation. The existing proposal may also be suitably altered by incorporating the latest developments and their likely impact on maintaining ceaseless departmental functioning.
ii. The number of cases proposed to be selected through CASS 2026 may kindly be rationalised and kept at the minimum practicable level during the current Financial Year, considering both the extraordinary transitional demands arising from implementation of the Income Tax Act, 2025 and the anticipated administrative disruptions flowing from the prevailing global situation.
iii. Suitable instructions may kindly be issued to the authorities at various levels to adopt a pragmatic and humane approach in matters relating to adherence to monthly and quarterly Central Action Plan targets (non-statutory deadlines/targets), avoiding imposition of artificial deadlines in statutory matters. The prevailing circumstances coupled with increasing difficulties in commuting via public transport systems due to the developing crisis, warrant a calibrated and realistic administrative approach so as to ensure efficiency without causing undue hardship or pressure upon the field formations.
This is for your kind consideration and necessary action.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
(J P Singh)
Secretary General
Copy for information and necessary action to:
1. Hon’ble Member (Admn), CBDT
2. Hon’ble Member (TPS&R), CBDT
very good