Haryana tops in notices issued to non-PAN holders in north-west

CHANDIGARH: With just two days left in closure of the Income Declaration Scheme, 2016, the income tax (I-T) department has issued around 60,000 notices to non-Permanent Account Number (PAN) card holders in the northwest region so far.

The scheme had commenced on June 1 and maximum notices were issued in Haryana during the past four months.

Around 34,000 notices were issued in the state by the I-T department to those who made transactions without having the PAN cards, while in the neighbouring Punjab, 22,000 notices were issued.

The department issued 1,000 notices each in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.

“These notices have been issued to people who made big purchases but didn’t have PAN cards, which means that the department could not access their income or income tax return. They were asked to explain the source of income and the reason why they didn’t possess the card,” said a senior I-T official.

“After these notices, many people declared their undisclosed income, utilising the I-T declaration scheme.

The response has been overwhelming. Those who are revealing their income under the scheme are safe as there is no conviction in such cases,” he added. These notices were issued to the defaulters during the period between financial year 2009-10 to 2014-15.

Sources said the maximum notices were issued to the people who purchased properties over `30 lakh. “In Haryana, maximum notices were issued in Gurgaon. The people who purchased properties but didn’t have the PAN cards came under the scanner,” said a source.

To facilitate declarants within the remaining two days for disclosure of undisclosed income, counters at the I-T office will remain functional till midnight on September 30.

Moreover, the department has extended two hours of functioning on September 29 and counters will remain operational till 8 pm.

Meanwhile, an official said the scheme would not be extended further. “Though we had received requests from various parts of region, but scheme will close on September 30,” he added.