What is the procedure for filing a complaint with the income tax ombudsman?

Initial Complaint:

• Write a complaint to Income-tax Department authorities (Assessing Officer, Additional or Deputy Commissioner) in detail.
• Include relevant information, like the name of the official being complained against.
• Check for a local or regional grievance cell under the Chief Commissioner or Director General of Income Tax.
• Lodge a complaint with them if needed.
  
  

Waiting time:

• If there is no reply within 30 days, proceed to the next step.
  
  

Approach Ombudsman:

• Contact the office of the Ombudsman.
• within one year ensure the complaint is made of receiving an unsatisfactory reply from the IT department.
• Lodge a complaint in person or in writing to the Ombudsman.
• If using email or online, print out the complaint, sign it, and send it to their office.
  
  

Details in the Complaint:

• The complaint must be duly signed by the complainant or their authorized representative.
• Clearly state the name, address, PAN of the complainant, and name of the Income-tax Department official.
• Include facts supported by relevant documents like previous complaint copies, income tax returns, Form 16, Form 16A, copy of challans, etc.
• Clearly specify the relief sought from the Ombudsman in the complaint.