New Delhi–Electronic filing of income tax (IT) returns grew more than three times as over 226.98 lakh e-returns were filed in the current fiscal till August 5 as compared to only 70.97 lakh for the same period in 2015-16, an official statement said on Monday.

The growth was over 9.8 percent even if comparison is made with 206.55 lakh e-returns filed as on September 7, 2015.

The finance ministry statement also said the facility of e-verification of IT returns has been used by over 75.3 lakh taxpayers till August 5, as compared to 32.95 lakh taxpayers as on September 7 last year.

Of these Aadhar based e-verification was used by 17.68 lakh taxpayers during the current year as against 10.41 lakh during the same period in 2015-16, a statement said.

Taxpayers have appreciated the early processing of income tax returns by CPC Bangalore last year, and keeping the same momentum, the CPC Bengaluru has already issued over 54.35 lakh refunds totalling Rs 14,332 crore.

“The (income tax) department is committed to continuous improvement of taxpayer services and seeks the cooperation of all taxpayers in contributing their fair share of taxes voluntarily,” the statement said. (IANS)