Subhash Mahajan
Chamba
The Income Tax Office, Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, organized an Income Tax Awareness and Outreach Programme at Chamba in collaboration with the Beopar Mandal, tax professionals, and prominent taxpayers of the district.
The programme was conducted by Vinit Kumar, Income Tax Officer, Dalhousie, under the directions of Shalini Bhargava Kaushal, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-1, Chandigarh, and the guidance of Keshav Kishore Anand, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Shimla Range.
The main objective of the outreach programme was to create awareness about FAST-DS 2026 (Foreign Assets Disclosure Scheme for Small Taxpayers, 2026). Participants were informed about the significance of voluntary and accurate disclosure of foreign assets, wherever applicable, and the importance of complying with the provisions of the Income Tax Act.
During the interactive session, officials explained various aspects of the scheme in detail and encouraged eligible taxpayers to take advantage of the opportunities offered under FAST-DS 2026. Emphasis was laid on ensuring timely and accurate compliance, maintaining transparency, and avoiding future legal complications that may arise from non-disclosure of foreign assets or incorrect reporting.
Representatives of the Beopar Mandal, tax professionals, and leading taxpayers actively participated in the programme. Several queries related to the scheme were raised and were addressed by the officials during the session. The programme received an encouraging response from attendees.
The Income Tax Department reiterated its commitment to promoting voluntary tax compliance through continuous taxpayer education, awareness initiatives, and stakeholder engagement. Officials stated that such outreach programmes help strengthen a culture of tax compliance while fostering a cooperative relationship between taxpayers and the Department.
The event was organized by Vinit Kumar, Income Tax Officer, Dalhousie, with active support from Rajesh Kumar (Tax Assistant), Shobhit Chawla (Tax Assistant), and Rajiv Tandon, who also participated in the programme.
