Para 2.3.13 — MSO

2.3.13 To sum up, the most important function of Audit and the area of audit concern in relation to assessments and refunds is to satisfy itself, by such test checks as it may consider necessary, that the internal procedures adequately provide for and actually ensure:

(i) the collection and utilisation of data necessary for the computation of the demand or refund under law;

(ii) that the computation and realisation of various taxes, fees, rents, royalty, etc. are in accordance with the applicable tax laws;

(iii) the prompt raising of demands on tax payers in the manner required by law;

(iv) the regular accounting of demands, collections and refunds;

(v) the correct accounting and allocation of collections and their credit to the Consolidated Fund;

(vi) that the relevant and requisite records are being maintained properly;

(vii) that proper arrangements are in place to safeguard against negligence or omission to levy or collect taxes or to authorise refunds;

(viii) that adequate control and monitoring mechanisms have been devised to prevent loss or leakage of revenue;

(ix) that there has not been any loss or leakage of revenue on account of lacunae or loopholes in the rules framed for the purpose or on account of avoidable delays in the issue of the necessary notifications and orders;

(x) that the machinery for detection of cases of evasion is adequate;

(xi) that double refunds, fraudulent or forged refund orders or other losses of revenue through fraud, default or errors are promptly brought to light and investigated;

(xii) that claims of tax payers are pursued with due diligence and are not abandoned or reduced except with adequate justification and proper authority;

(xiii) that cases pending in courts of law or before appellate authorities have been pursued adequately and appeals, wherever justified or considered necessary, have been filed within the period of limitation; and

(xiv) that the estimates of revenue have been realized at the end of the financial year.

Note: In cases of shortfall in the realization of the estimates, Audit should ascertain if this was attributable to negligence in collection or whether the original estimates themselves were erroneous or unreliable.

Cross Verification