I-T action on those filing returns without paying due tax

73,388 taxpayers have defaulted on such payments in 2012-13, amounting Rs 3,859 crore

Continuing with its scaled up efforts to nab tax evaders, the income tax department today warned the assesses concealing income and filing returns, of penal action.

The Income-Tax Act requires payment of due tax on all income chargeable to tax in the financial year concerned, before filing of income tax return.

The department said in a release that an analysis of returns filed electronically in 2012-13, revealed that nearly 73,388 taxpayers had defaulted on such payments amounting Rs 3,859 crore.

It has urged all taxpayers who had filed their returns in the current financial year and had defaulted on payment of self-assessment tax of any amount, to immediately pay the due taxes before March 31.

“Further, any taxpayer who files his return in the future, and on self-assessment indicates a certain amount of tax payable, should pay such tax while filing the return,” the department has cautioned.

Filing a return without paying the admitted amount of tax that is payable will render such taxpayer an ‘assessee in default’ under the provisions of the Income-Tax Act. It said.

“Such taxpayers who default in payment of self-assessment tax may invite penal consequences,” the department has warned.