29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Final call! Clear your tax disputes under VSV 2.0: Here's how
April 30 is the deadline for taxpayers to resolve pending income-tax disputes under Vivad Se Vishwas (VSV) 2.0. The scheme, launched in October 2024, aims to reduce litigation and expedite revenue collection by offering a structured mechanism for resolving disputes.
A Push Toward Efficient Dispute Resolution
'The VSV 2.0 scheme is part of the Indian government's broader push to reduce tax litigation and unlock tied-up revenue,' says Karishma Phatarphekar, partner at Deloitte India. 'It aims to minimise the backlog in courts and foster a more taxpayer-friendly environment.'
According to Phatarphekar, the first version of the scheme (VSV 1.0) resolved more than 146,000 tax appeals and helped recover around Rs 1 lakh crore as revenue. The government hopes the second version will yield similar results.
Who is eligible for VSV 2.0
According to Phatarphekar, taxpayers are eligible if they have pending disputes as of July 22, 2024, including:
Appeals
Writ petitions
Cases before the Dispute Resolution Panel, provided no final assessment order has been passed
Taxpayers have to fill up Form-1 on the Income-Tax Department's website to avail of the scheme. This includes the disputed tax amount and supporting documents such as assessment orders and relevant notices.
Why opt in
Phatarphekar explains key benefits include:
Waiver of interest and penalties
Immunity from future proceedings
Swift resolution without prolonged litigation
However, she warns of tradeoffs. 'Any payment made under VSV 2.0 is non-refundable and once settled, disputes cannot be reopened — a double-edged sword for some.'
Avoid Common Pitfalls
Phatarphekar explains common errors in applications for the scheme:
Miscalculating disputed tax amount
Submitting incomplete documentation
Missing the scheme's deadline
'Review your case thoroughly,' says Phatarphekar. 'Consult a tax expert, file ahead of time, and ensure all documents are in order.'