When it comes to the annual Hornbill Festival we usually think of it as a mega festival for celebrating the vibrant and diverse culture of the people of Nagaland. However, if we take a deeper and more comprehensive study of the Hornbill Festival we will soon realise that the festival is multi-faceted and has so much more to offer to the festival goers than mere traditional dances, songs and exotic cuisines. All it takes is a simple walk through of the stalls set up at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, the venue of the Hornbill Festival to realise this fact. The Hornbill Festival offers an opportunity to learn and experience new things to not just the tourists visiting the State but also to the local people that inhabit the beautiful State of Nagaland. One such noble initiative at the 24th Hornbill Festival 2023 is the Tax Payers’ Lounge at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama.
The irony with the people of Nagaland is that the concept of Income Tax is still quite alien to many in Nagaland although taxes have been part and parcel of every hardworking and enterprising Naga. Income tax in simple terms refers to a type of tax governments impose on income businesses and individuals within their jurisdiction generate. By law, taxpayers must file an income tax return annually to determine their tax obligations. Income taxes are a source of revenue for governments. They are used to fund public services, pay government obligations, and provide goods for citizens. In addition to the federal government, many states and local jurisdictions also levy income taxes.
The Tax Payers’ Lounge at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama is an initiative of the Income Tax Department to spread awareness and provide assistance to anyone seeking information and help in getting their grievances resolved. One can learn a lot by visiting the lounge and interacting with the ever ready officials stationed there. Visitors can get detailed explanations on a number of topics related to Income Tax namely e-verification scheme 2021, tax payer services, PAN related matters, e-filling of Income Tax Return and benefits, tax exemption under section 10 (26) for tribals, tax deduction at source (TDS), information and grievance resolution counters and queries related to tax compliance. The only office of the Income Tax Department currently in Nagaland is located at Dimapur and hence the lounge provides a great opportunity for people visiting the hornbill festival from different parts of the State to also learn and also get assistance regarding Income Tax related matters.
So this Hornbill Festival anyone who has any issues regarding Income Tax can pay a visit to the Tax Payers’ Lounge, located behind the Bamboo Pavillion at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which will be open from 10 am till the 10th of December and get their doubts and issues cleared.
(Morotsung Longchar, IA)
