Master Circular on Direct Tax Collection via OLTAS
No longer current — replaced by Withdrawal of existing Master Circular on ‘Operational Guidelines for OLTAS’ and consolidation of instructions
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/99 · issued 01 Jul 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI updated its master circular on direct tax collection through OLTAS, consolidating instructions up to June 2013. Agency banks must follow revised procedures for accepting, accounting, and reporting CBDT dues, including proper token issuance and challan handling.
What changed
RBI issued an updated master circular (RBI/2013-14/99) replacing the July 2012 version, incorporating all instructions issued through end-June 2013. The circular reiterates the accounting system for direct taxes, major heads of account, and the role of agency banks in tax collection.
What it means for you
Banks acting as agency banks must ensure strict compliance with the updated procedures for direct tax collection, including timely remittance and accurate reporting. The circular emphasizes customer service improvements, such as issuing paper tokens and secure handling of receipted challans, to avoid penalties or operational lapses.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Review and implement the updated master circular instructions for direct tax collection via OLTAS.
Ensure all authorized branches issue paper tokens as acknowledgment for tax payments.
Secure receipted challans and prevent unauthorized access; issue them only after cheque/draft realization.
Train staff on the revised accounting and reporting procedures for CBDT dues.
Download the full circular from RBI's website for detailed compliance.
Who it affects
All agency banks handling direct tax collections, Branch managers and staff at authorized tax collection points, Compliance and operations teams dealing with government accounts
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 14:11 IST
Superseded by — Withdrawal of existing Master Circular on ‘Operational Guidelines for OLTAS’ and consolidation of instructions
Status change: superseded03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What are the major heads of account for direct taxes?
Corporation Tax (0020), Income Tax (0021), Wealth Tax (0032), and Gift Tax (0033). For further clarification, banks may refer to taxmann.com.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Superseded byWithdrawal of existing Master Circular on ‘Operational Guidelines for OLTAS’ and
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/99
DGBA.GAD.No.H - 3/42.01.034/2013-14
July 1, 2013
To
All Agency Banks
Dear Sir / Madam
Master Circular – Collection of Direct Taxes- OLTAS
Please refer to our master circular RBI/2012-13/101 dated July 02, 2012 on the above subject. We have now updated the master circular incorporating important instructions issued by us till end of June 2013. A copy of the same is enclosed for your information. This circular may also be downloaded from our website www.mastercirculars.rbi.org.in .
2. Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully
(B. K. Mishra)
Chief General Manager
Encl: As above
Master Circular on Collection of Direct Taxes
Introduction
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is responsible for administering various direct taxes through the Commissioners of Income Tax located in different parts of the country. The Commissioners of Income Tax are entrusted with the task of collection as well as refund of Income Tax and Corporation Tax, etc. under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
2. The Principal Chief Controller of Accounts (Pr.CCA) is the apex authority of the accounting organisation of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. Under the Departmentalised set up, the Pr.CCA, CBDT has been assigned the functions relating to accounting of all receipts and refunds pertaining to the Direct Taxes. The Pr.CCA sits at New Delhi and operates through Zonal Accounts Offices (ZAOs) across the country. Presently there are 24 ZAOs located at various places.
3. Major Heads of Account
The various types of direct taxes collected by the Income Tax Department are classified under the following Major Heads:
i)
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/99 · issued 01 Jul 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=8185&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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