Black Money Window: IT Department Publishes List Of Asset Valuers

New Delhi: The Income Tax department on Friday published a country-wide list of registered asset valuers for those who wish to declare their untaxed funds and properties under the one-time domestic black money compliance window that opened in June.

The exhaustive list, uploaded on the official web portal of the department, includes valuers of immovable property, jewellery, plant and machinery, stocks, shares and debentures and agricultural land.

"The list is uploaded on Income Tax department's official website and the names and addresses provided therein can be used by those who wish to declare their black assets under the ongoing one-time compliance window.

"This exhaustive list that contains the names and addresses of the registered valuers has been published after CBDT had received queries from various quarters about the ambiguity and difficulty in declaring the value of an untaxed or black asset under the window, called the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS), 2016," a senior official said.

While rules for IDS stipulate that the fair market value of the asset to be declared under the scheme will be as on June 1, 2016 as deemed to be the undisclosed income, its exact valuation procedure was creating doubts among people.

Subsequently, the official said, the Central Board of Direct Taxes had asked all regional offices in the country to send to it the names of all registered valuers and their contacts in their jurisdiction.

"The list is exhaustive and these valuers are present in various part of the country. The valuation certificate provided by them will be valid for declaration of untaxed assets under the IDS. This is an effort to help and provide clarity of action to such declarants," the official added. Valuers are registered with the IT department under the Wealth Tax Rules.

The official added that the list will soon be put up at the regional Aaykar Sampark Kendras (ASKs) which are run by the department to facilitate taxpayer services.

A valuation of asset done by an authorised valuer is accepted as the fair value of an asset by the taxman and with this seal of approval, the declarant is expected to be sure about the market value of the asset furnished under IDS.

The IDS opened in June and will be on to take declarations till September 30.