Income tax scams rising in northeast

The income tax department said Wednesday that there is an increase in the tax-return related scams of salaried employees in the northeast region.

Chief Commissioner of Income Tax R.K. Gupta said the scams were basically related to bogus returns and claims under different sections of the Income Tax Act.

“Those who are still doing it may even lose their jobs,” he warned. He added that those who have made incorrect claims have the chance of filling up revised returns to avoid punitive action.

He also said the department had information that bogus claims of various subsidies were being made.

He said exemptions given to Scheduled Tribe under Section 10(26) of Income Tax Act was not a blanket exemption and available only subject to certain conditions.

“In many cases it is seen that the exemption is claimed in a routine manner,” Gupta said.

He said income tax collection in the northeast was less than one percent of the country’s total collection.