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Your email and social media account can be accessed by income tax officers starting from 01 April 26
- By Elite CIO
Mar 05, 2025
9
Your email and social media account can be accessed by income tax officers starting from 01 April 26
This new provision will come into effect under the proposed Income Tax Bill and will make the process of tax investigations in line with the digital age, the report further said adding that the purpose of this change is to prevent financial fraud, undeclared assets and tax evasion.
The Income Tax Department will reportedly have the legal right to investigate your social media profiles, emails, bank accounts, online investments and trading accounts. If tax authorities suspect that you have evaded taxes or have any undeclared assets, cash, gold, jewellery, or other valuables, they can investigate your accounts.
When can tax officials access your digital information?
Under Section 132 of the existing Income Tax Act, 1961, tax officials can conduct searches and seizures if they have credible information that a person is concealing his income, assets or financial records with the intent to evade taxes.
From April 1, 2026, this right will also be extended to the digital world. Now officials will also have the right to access computer systems and online accounts if they suspect that information related to tax evasion is being hidden there.