Government advises taxpayers to confirm identity of income tax search authorities

New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS) The government on Friday asked taxpayers to confirm the identities of the income tax authorities who conduct search exercises in case of suspected tax evasion, in the wake of forged identities being used by miscreants.

"The tax payers is well within his rights to seek and inspect the warrant of authorisation, confirm the identities of authorised income tax authorities mentioned on the warrant. The assessee can seek the telephone numbers of immediate supervisory officers of the search/ survey party for the purpose of verification of genuineness," Finance Ministry said in a statement.

"In case, any doubts still persists then the income tax department can be contacted at 9013850099 for the specified purpose of confirmation of identities of officers/ officials working in the Delhi region," it said.

The statement said that instances have been brought to the notice wherein, certain unscrupulous elements have conducted unauthorised/illegal searches through forged identity cards claiming to be from income tax department.

The Ministry clarified that the income tax department in the Delhi region is authorised to regularly conduct search/ survey/verification exercises in case of suspected tax evaders to uncover concealment of undisclosed income/assets as per the law.

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