I-T prosecution complaints surged in '17: Fin Min

The Income-Tax department has filed prosecution complaints in 2,225 cases during April- November 2017 for offences under the Income Tax Act.

"During FY 2017-18 (up to the end of November 2017), the Department filed prosecution complaints for various offences in 2,225 cases as compared to 784 for the corresponding period in the immediately preceding year, marking an increase of 184 per cent," the finance ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Besides, 48 persons were convicted for various offences during the same period as compared to 13 convictions for the corresponding eight months of 2016, marking an increase of 269 per cent, the statement said.

Due to the decisive and focused action taken by the department against tax evaders, the number of defaulters convicted by the courts has also registered a sharp increase during the current fiscal, the ministry said.

Prosecutions have been initiated for various offences including wilful attempt to evade tax or payment of any tax, wilful failure in filing returns of income, false statement in verification and failure to deposit the tax deducted/collected at source or inordinate delay in doing so, among other defaults.

The number of complaints compounded by the department during April-November stands at 1,052 as against 575 in the corresponding period of the immediately preceding year, registering a rise of 83 per cent, the ministry said.

Compounding of offences is done when the defaulter admits to its offence and pays the compounding fee as per stipulated conditions.

The tax department has accorded the highest priority to tackle the menace of black money and has initiated criminal prosecution proceedings in a large number of cases of tax offenders and evaders.

"The Income Tax Department is committed to carry forward the drive against tax evasion and action against tax evaders will continue in all earnest in the remaining part of the current financial year," the ministry said.

MARKED RISE

• Department filed prosecution complaints for various offences in 2,225 cases as compared to 784 for the corresponding period last year; an increase of 184 per cent