IT Dept May Soon Use GST System Data to Issue Income Tax Notices

The Income Tax Department may soon begin using data from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in order to increase India’s direct tax base and improve tax compliance.

Detailed information is collected by the GST system at every stage of business activities, including production, transport of goods, and real-time reporting of transactions. The GST department uses this data to identify cases where income has been escaped or underreported. This encourages individuals and businesses not to engage in such unfair activities.

This move comes after a sharp reduction in the tax rate for individuals this financial year, which showed moderate growth in the nation’s income tax revenue. As per the officials, better utilisation of technology and available data can help the government improve revenue without making any changes to tax rates. The GST system has, as of now, helped tax authorities in tracking fake invoicing and bringing several information businesses into the formal economy, making it an excellent source of financial information.

The Income Tax Department is likely to use its “nudge” approach to focus on voluntary compliance. Instead of taking strict action, the department may now send reminders or notices to taxpayers informing them of discrepancies or underreported income found in their returns. These communications will advise taxpayers to file a revised or updated return to correct their mistakes and avoid further litigation.

Officials say that efficient data collection and targeted communication with taxpayers are key to improving revenue. By this move, the department aims to make tax administration more effective while encouraging honest and transparent tax reporting.