Misconception to think I-T Dept snoops on social media posts: CBDT

CBDT Chairman PC Mody said the tax department does not need to undertake such measures as it is empowered to obtain various information and data sets from multiple agencies and possesses a strong data analytics setup to work out the source and destination of high-value transactions.

He was asked if the taxman or the I-T Department scans Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media handles of people to obtain secret information about their income and spending behaviour. It has been reported the taxman will keep a secret eye on social media posts to find out who is undertaking an expensive foreign trip or is flaunting their expensive vehicle or other goods over these platforms, in order to ensure such people or entities pay their due taxes.

“That is a misconception. Why do we need to go on (social media platforms)? Wealready get to know actual travel details or other financial transactions of a person from authentic sources,” the CBDT boss said.