HYDERABAD, JULY 24, 2026: The 167th Income Tax Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and dignity on 24th July 2026 at Amaravati Auditorium, Mehdi Manzil, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. The event was attended by distinguished dignitaries, senior officers and officials of the Income Tax Department, members of the tax fraternity, senior officers from various Government departments and agencies, representatives of the legal fraternity, tax bar associations and employee associations.
Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Governor of Telangana, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shri K. V. Chowdary, Former Central Vigilance Commissioner and Former Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes, attended the function as the Guest of Honour.
The programme commenced with the welcome address by Shri Suresh Battini, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana Region. In his address, he reflected on the Department’s transformative journey over the years and highlighted its digital initiatives, robust tax collections, taxpayer-centric reforms, and the successful implementation of the Income-tax Act, 2025. He also acknowledged the dedication and commitment of the officers and officials of the Department, its extensive taxpayer outreach programmes, and its environmental and social initiatives. Reaffirming the Department’s commitment to transparency, voluntary compliance, efficient public service and nation-building, he emphasised the continued focus on strengthening taxpayer services through technology-driven governance.
In his address, the Governor of Telangana highlighted the significance of Income Tax Day and acknowledged the invaluable contribution of honest taxpayers and the Income Tax Department to nation-building. He emphasized the importance of voluntary tax compliance, transparency, digital governance and taxpayer-friendly services. He also called upon citizens to actively contribute towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through integrity, accountability and inclusive economic growth.
Addressing the gathering, Shri K. V. Chowdary commended the Income Tax Department for its remarkable technological transformation, which has significantly enhanced taxpayer services. He highlighted the steady growth in PAN issuance, faster processing of income tax refunds and the introduction of pre-filled Income Tax Returns, which have made tax compliance simpler and more convenient. He further suggested expediting the disposal of appellate proceedings by facilitating early hearings for willing appellants, thereby reducing pendency and ensuring timely relief to taxpayers.
As part of the celebrations, Letters of Appreciation were presented to the Top 12 Best Performers of the Income Tax Department in recognition of their outstanding contributions and exceptional performance during the year. The prestigious Champions Idea Trophy was also presented to the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax–1, Hyderabad, for a novel and innovative presentation aimed at enhancing tax collection, reflecting the Department’s continued emphasis on innovation and adoption of best practices.
The Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, also released the monthly newsletter, “TAX SPARK”, on the occasion. The newsletter serves as a platform to showcase the activities, achievements, initiatives and creative contributions of the Income tax officers and officials of the Andhra Pradesh & Telangana Region as well as a record of the Region’s work, outreach, institutional memory and shared achievements in the months to come.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, reaffirming the Income Tax Department’s commitment to promoting voluntary tax compliance, delivering transparent and taxpayer-friendly services, and contributing to India’s growth through efficient, accountable and technology-driven tax administration.
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