Mangalore: The Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Bangalore, K. Satyanarayana inaugurated an ‘Aayakar Seva Kendra’(ASK) with computerised systems of paying taxes by taxpayers, in port city, described in ‘Citizens’ charter’ as one-stop-shop. B.S.N. Prasad, IT Commissioner in city, explained the services of ASK.

The Kendra, he informed, had a front office with trained personnel, and information set-up, and internet services. There were 60 such centres in the country.

This facilitated Voluntary tax payments in improved conditions services of tax remittances. Those who pay tax in advance can ascertain PAN, fill up Tax returns on forms, check their credit status on taxes deducted at source, and base their grievance for redressal on such status.

Those who comply with taxes charged are served and those who evade taxation are also taken care of , under each centre, said Prasad.

Mangalore had been identified as one of the 17 centres to be set up during 2011 Budget period, as stated by Finance minister in his Budget speech last year. It was possible to make online tax payments in advance at the Centre, said Karnataka Bank chairman.

Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Panaji, Goa, Dilip Kumar presided over the function. He said this year was difficult for tax collections due to rising interest rates on loans. Tax Collections rose all over the country by 10 percent and in Bangalore region, by 15%, but in Mangalore, collections were not upto the mark, he said.

While small businessmen paid their taxes, big businesses in cashew, fishing and education found reasons not to pay, he rued. The department collected Rs 300 crores, paid out Rs400 crores as refund, and made a deficit of Rs100 crore, he explained.  Some public sector banks did not pay their taxes, according to Satyanarayan.