New Delhi: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Friday called for comprehensive tax reforms in the Union Budget 2026-27, including expedition of dispute resolution, simplification of TDS regime and digitised customs systems.
The apex industry body emphasised the need to move towards a "compliance system rooted in trust, simplicity, and technology," and accountable for administrative delays.
It recommended that high-demand cases exceeding Rs 100 crore should be fast-tracked for resolution within one year through multiple virtual hearings and close CBDT monitoring.
Parallel penalty proceedings should remain suspended until the main appeal is resolved, and draft orders should be shared for factual verification before finalisation, the statement from the industry body said.
CII proposed reviving the authority for advance Rulings as an independent, quasi-judicial body headed by retired high court judges to issue binding rulings within six months.
The organisation also called for improvements to return-processing software through improved protocols ensuring that only apparent mistakes are adjusted automatically and that taxpayers can request virtual hearings when required.
CII Director-General Chandrajit Banerjee said that India's tax system needs to shift from being dispute-driven to dispute-preventive.
"The tax system must ensure that taxation not only raises revenue efficiently but also acts as a catalyst for investment, innovation and competitiveness. The Budget can be a pivot for a truly modern, transparent and globally benchmarked tax regime," Banerjee said.
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