Women Income Tax Return Filers increases by 25.3% in 4 Years

The Income Tax Department estimates shows that the overall number of women filing income tax returns in India has increased by 25.3% over the last four years, from 1.83 crore in assessment year (AY) 2019-20 to more than 2.29 crore in AY 2023-24.

This reflects the growing number of women working in well-paid jobs or starting their own businesses, according to a senior official. In the financial year 2023-24, the total number of income tax returns (ITRs) filed by individuals and corporations surpassed 7.97 crore.

According to the data, Maharashtra recorded the highest number of women ITRs, with 36,83,457 in AY24, representing a 23% increase. Gujarat was rated second with 22,50,098 women filing ITRs, representing a 24.4 percent increase, while Uttar Pradesh came in third with 20,43,794 ITRs and an impressive 29.2% increase during this period.

Identical growth patterns have been observed in other major states. During the four-year period, the number of women ITR filers increased by more than 20% in Tamil Nadu, from 12,92,028 in AY20 to 15,51,769, and by 20% in Karnataka, from 11,34,903 to 14,30,345. Punjab increased by 36.23% from 9,70,801 in the AY20 to 13,22,580 in AY24, while Rajasthan increased by 25.49% to 13,52,202.

Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, small states and union territories like Jammu and Kashmir and Mizoram saw a significant increase in the number of women filing income tax returns. Mizoram saw a 96% increase in the number of women filers, reaching 2,090, while Jammu and Kashmir saw a 49.2% increase to 1,17,514.