Taxpayers can now look forward to a faster redressal of grievances related to refunds and returns without the many visits to Income Tax offices as the department is all set to bring a number of its services online.

The department is in the process of enhancing a host of taxpayer related services like filing of returns, grievances and matters related to vigilance on its existing webportal-- www.incometaxindia.gov.in-- and will soon float a Request For Proposal (RFP) inviting competent software solutions firms to execute the job.

"The Income Tax department will soon host a number of taxpayer friendly services on its webportal. The effort is to reduce the taxpayers time in dealing with the department and deliver services fast as compared to the usual time taken," a senior I-T official involved in the process said.

It will reduce taxpayers' visits to the department's offices and help them to communicate with the department sitting anywhere.

Although all essential services are available online, keeping in mind the increasing rush of taxpayers, the online facilities will be increased, the official said.

The new services should be available in a few months time, the official added.

The department already hosts services like information on PAN, viewing of tax credits, Annual Information Return (AIR), Tax Information Network (TIN), Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) status, Tax Return Preparer Scheme (TRPS) and various tax related forms.

The department's website also hosts information related to RTI and provisions under various tax laws.

The department will get additional software platforms and servers to host these facilities and issue electronic acknowledgments to taxpayers, the official added.