Income Tax eyes salaried class in 50-lakh club

People with an income of more than Rs 50 lakh per annum and having the pleasure of owning a yacht, aircraft or valuable jewellery will now have to disclose these costly assets with the IT department notifying a new set of Income Tax Return (ITR) forms for assessment year 2016-17. Filing for the new forms begins with the onset of the new financial year on Friday. 

The Finance Ministry published a gazette order in this regard on March 30 and taxpayers can file their ITRs till the stipulated deadline of July 31. The department has introduced a fresh reporting column in the new ITRs (ITR-2 and 2A) called ‘Asset and Liability at the end of the year’ which is applicable in cases where the total income exceeds Rs 50 lakh. 

Individuals and entities coming under this income bracket will also have to mention the total cost of such assets. So, while immovable assets like land and building have to be furnished under the new ITR regime, movable assets like cash in hand, jewellery, bullion, vehicles, yachts, boats and aircraft will also have to be disclosed to the taxman. The entity reporting these high-value possessions will also have to describe their “Liability in relation” to these items. 

“The new reporting mechanisms for people earning over Rs 50 lakh per annum are made to check tax evasion by high-net worth individuals and entities. While their income returns used to cover this in a way till now, a new exclusive column was essential to keep the taxman informed,” a senior official said.