New Delhi, July 27 -- With the July 31 income tax return (ITR) filing deadline approaching, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asked the Income Tax Department to adopt a more taxpayer-friendly approach by allowing honest taxpayers to rectify bona fide errors while taking strict action against deliberate tax evasion.

Speaking at the 167th Income Tax Day celebrations in New Delhi on July 24, Sitharaman said tax authorities must distinguish between genuine mistakes and wilful tax evasion, stressing that enforcement powers should be exercised with humility and fairness. She said taxpayers should be viewed as partners in India's economic growth rather than merely assessees.

The remarks come at a time when millions of taxpayers are filin...