IT dept: 'No Aadhaar? Go away'

Many income-tax assessees in Bengaluru are being turned away for want of Aadhaar. The income tax department is insisting on Aadhaar or an Aadhaar enrolment number. If you don't have either, you simply can't file your tax returns.

A larger number of people, who tried to file their returns online and offline before the stipulated deadline of March 31, were left in a lurch.
The Supreme Court, hearing petitions against the mandatory nature of Aadhaar, has said linking should be put off indefinitely.

But tax officials are quoting Section 139 AA (1) of the Income Tax Act under the Finance Act of 2017 to say Aadhaar is mandatory for filing of returns and applying for a PAN card from July 1, 2017.

"The idea is to weed out people from filing tax returns under different names. Compulsory linking of Aadhaar will contain the black money menace to large extent," a senior official told Metrolife on Thursday.

Aadhaar ensures a person can file returns only once, he avers. He argues it is the income tax department's duty to counter tax evasion, eliminate black money and benami property holding.

Roopa Raganath, an IT professional who went to file her returns, has no Aadhaar card. She had to return without her work getting done. Neither the online system nor the counter would accept her returns without Aadhaar details. "I am told to apply for an Aadhaar now. But I don't believe in that document," she says.

HASHMAT NABI, advocate practising at the Supreme Court, says the income tax department is exceeding its powers when it insists on Aadhaar.
"The mandate of Aadhaar is to target subsidies and welfare benefits. The authorities also had to disclose the manner in which the information given in Aadhaar was to be used. Aadhaar should not be linked to tax returns. The whole purpose stands defeated. It is now being used as a mechanism of intrusion," he told 'Metrolife'."

A quick alert
*What happens if you don't file your returns?
The department can levy a penalty that depends on the delay. They could charge interest on the dues, and even prosecute you for not filing your returns.
*So what can you do now?
Chartered accountants suggest you pay your taxes to the department. Even if you don't file your returns, the authorities cannot penalise you.