The Income Tax Department sleuths raided the residences and offices of notable YouTubers and content creators across Kerala.
Reetu | Jun 26, 2023 |
Income Tax Department raids on well-known YouTubers in Kerala
The Income Tax Department sleuths raided the residences and offices of notable YouTubers and content creators across Kerala. The raids were carried out when it was discovered that many YouTubers and video content creators were not paying taxes in accordance to their earnings.
The raids were carried out at the homes and offices of 13 well-known YouTubers and content providers, including actress Pearle Maaney. Raids were carried out in the districts of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Kasargod.
A report from income tax officials stated that, these YouTubers generate an estimated annual income of more than Rs.1 crore. Their tax returns, on the other hand, do not adequately reflect their real earnings, showing improper tax deductions at source. Furthermore, regulators have raised concerns about the sponsored promotional content created by these content makers. The inquiry seeks to determine the veracity of their income statements and to look into any potential anomalies in their financial activity.
According to Income Tax Department sources, YouTubers claim to have no fixed income and that the monthly payments they get from YouTube and other social media platforms are contingent on the popularity of their work. This has resulted in tax payment confusion.
The IT team also reviewed bank statements and other transaction records pertaining to the revenue made by these YouTubers. According to IT insiders, other raids targeting other YouTubers in the state are planned for the coming days.
The IT department has yet to reveal any information on the raids’ results. The raids, however, have alarmed the Malayalam YouTube community about the possibilities of tax avoidance.
In recent months, the IT department has been cracking down on tax evasion by YouTubers and other content providers. The IT dept. searched the residences and offices of many YouTubers in Tamil Nadu in April 2023. The raids were carried out in response to charges of tax evasion and money laundering.
The YouTubers who were raided include:
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