The Income Tax department will soon launch an internet based grievance redressal system for taxpayers to lodge their complaints with taxman.

The new online facility will also enable taxpayers to register their complaints and put applications to the I-T Ombudsman present in 12 cities across the country including Mumbai and Delhi, the two topmost tax paying regions respectively.

Currently, taxpayers can file their tax returns online by logging on the official website of the department --www.incometaxindia.gov.in.

According to a senior I-T department official, the grievance redressal facility will either be made available on the official website of the department or a new portal would be launched.

"Grievances related to tax refunds and delay in services rendered by the department like allotment of various tax numbers among others could be lodged on the new e-support system," the officer said.

The department is presently conducting a trial run of the new facility and once fully satisfied, it will connect all the department offices with the network.

After registering online complaints, the taxpayer will also receive an acknowledgement number which would have a fixed time limit that will ensure that it is redressed within a stipulated duration.

As of now, taxpayers have to throng the tax department's offices in order to get their complaints resolved for redressal of a number of services.

The online facility will aim to create a hassle-free facility for tax payers across the country, the officer added.

The I-T department's online facilities currently feature services like e-payment of taxes, filing of TDS returns, Annual Information Returns, Online Tax Accounting System (OLTAS), Tax Return Prepares Scheme (TRPS), Tax Information Network and help desk, as well as tax payers queries and feedback services.