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Born out of a first-of-its-kind series of discussions between tax officials and practitioners, Indian Tax Administration: A Dialogue identifies and addresses challenges facing India as it contemplates tax reforms. Both, the dialogue and A Dialogue, have been organised by eminent tax policy analyst Parthasarathi Shome whose recommendations on tax administration policy have been included not only in India’s Ninth and Tenth Five-Year Plans, but also in more than thirty countries where he has given technical assistance in taxation.

This volume gives detailed analyses of the organisational structure, risk assessment and management in audit selection, dispute resolution and computerisation of both Direct and Indirect tax administrations. An investigation into the newly-established Large Taxpayer Units and a statistical study of the effectiveness of Value-Added Taxes of state administrations render it a broader appeal. Presenting successful models from across the globe, A Dialogue composes a veritable picture of tax reform for India to keenly consider. Comprising both serving and retired bureaucrats, and stake-holder voices from outside the government, the contributors occupy both ends of the tax spectrum. A work arising from uninhibited debate, the voices here are united in their appeal to make the taxpayer, not tax, the primary focus of tax administration. A Dialogue is an invaluable contribution to tax research, and thereby makes an indispensable read to tax consultants, chartered accountants, policy-makers, students of taxation and all of us—taxpayers, inquisitive about the future.