MoF : India s crorepati,
lakhpati numbers surged in 2021-22
The
club of crorepatis in India swelled in FY 2021-22, with 1.31 lakh people
showing total income above ₹1 crore compared to 1.25 people a year
earlier.
Data
from Finance Ministry also showed a significant increase in the number of
filers who declared income between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore.
Higher
income
In
a written response in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State in the Finance Ministry,
Pankaj Chaudhary presented a summary of tax filers with Gross Total Income of
₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore and above ₹1 crore in Assessment Years
2021-22 and 2020-21. The number of in4dividuals whose total income was between
₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore climbed to 77 lakh from nearly 73 lakh.
ITR
in AY 2022-23
The
Income Tax Department has reported that 5.8 crore people filed returns at the
end of July 31, on the due date for assessees whose accounts need not to be
audited.
Meanwhile,
Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj said that ITR filers for AY 23 (2022-23) would be
nudged for an explanation or even need to file a revised return, in case
there was a mismatch in Annual Information Returns. A large number of filers
have complained about no updation in Annual Information statement (AIS) which
could result in a mismatch.
But
Bajaj also assured that such filers need not fear scrutiny as only those cases
will be picked up which are flagged by Risk management System.
However,
he assured that filing returns would get further simplified next year.
Officials
in Income Tax Department have already said that just because of a mismatch, a
case will not be picked up for scrutiny and such apprehensions are unwarranted.
Further, they added that there is also provision to file updated returns.
Enough tools are available to rectify the mismatch. Nothing adverse will be
initiated without any detailed explanation from the assessee, one of the
officials said.
The
AIS was introduced last November. As soon as it becomes fully operational, it
will replace Form 26AS. It has information not just about tax paid and income
received but also includes information relating to interest, dividend,
securities transactions, mutual fund transactions, foreign remittance
information or even payment made for credit card.
Chartered
Accountant Vinod Jain explained that assessees may be asked to explain about
mismatch under section 131(1A) of the Income Tax Act.
Normally
if the mismatch is of smaller figures, the department accepts the explanation
and the matter is resolved.
However,
in case of bigger sums involved in the mismatch, the Department has the power
to issue notice under section 142 and simultaneously ask for assessment to take
place under section 143. There the process of assessment needs to be completed
by the end of AY. i.e., by March 31 for AY 23, Jain said.
www.thehindubusinessline.com
dt. 05.08.2022