CBDT's NUDGE campaign yields Rs 9,494 Cr in additional tax
The Income Tax Department's NUDGE campaign has prompted 1.25 crore taxpayers to file updated or revised income tax returns, resulting in the payment of Rs 9,494 crore in additional taxes over the past two years, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said Monday, August 3.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has run the Non-intrusive Usage of Data to Guide and Enable (NUDGE) campaign by leveraging data analytics, behavioural insights and digital communication platforms to improve tax collection efficiency without intrusive measures.
Under the campaign, communications are sent to select taxpayers after risk analysis to prompt them to review and revise or update ITRs already filed. Taxpayers are selected based on advanced risk analysis that flags incorrect or non-reporting of assets or income, or excess claims of deductions or exemptions.
During 2024-25 and 2025-26, the campaign has resulted in 1.25 crore updated or revised ITR filings and Rs 9,494 crore in additional tax payments, Pankaj Chaudhary, a Minister of State for Finance said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, as reported by PTI.
Over the last five years, the Income Tax Department has also detected cases of wrongful tax reliefs and non-genuine deduction claims, Chaudhary said.
These cases surfaced through data analytics and verification exercises, and were further corroborated through searches and surveys conducted against entities, professional intermediaries and other persons suspected of facilitating such claims, he said, adding that these actions led to the recovery of evidence of tax evasion and other violations under the Income Tax Act.
Asked whether the government has identified the entities, intermediaries or beneficiaries involved and taken action against them, Chaudhary said the department, through investigation and data analytics, has identified categories of entities and intermediaries facilitating fraudulent claims, including tax return preparers and chartered accountants.
Action taken includes NUDGE campaigns, e-verification, search and seizure and survey operations, assessments and reassessments, levy of penalties, and prosecution, he said.
"In addition, appropriate information has been shared against the tax professionals with the relevant regulatory/enforcement organisations, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)," Chaudhary added.
(With inputs from PTI)
