India targets black money with new assets disclosure law

June 8, 2012

Black_Money

New Delhi, June 8: Filing of income tax returns has become more complicated for those with assets overseas as the government has introduced a compulsory disclosure law for Indians in the country and abroad aimed at tracing black money.

“The overseas assets will not be taxed, but it is an additional hassle for taxpayers,” said Neeru Ahuja, a partner at Deloitte Haskins and Sells.

Apart from the additional hassle, Ahuja said, expatriates see it as an intrusion on their privacy.

“Many people are complaining. Expatriates who have come here to work even for a short period are required to disclose assets back home,” Ahuja said.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) recently issued the new tax return forms for 2011-12 or assessment year 2012-13, mandating disclosure of foreign assets. On the form, a new section labelled ‘FA’ (Foreign Assets) is included.

Individuals with taxable income exceeding Rs1 million (Dh66,750) and Indians and expatriates with assets overseas must file their returns electronically.

“Resident individuals are required to file tax returns in India irrespective of whether they have income chargeable to tax in India or not,” said Ahuja.

As per the Finance Bill 2012, residents with assets outside India are required to file tax returns electronically giving details of such assets.

In other words, income is now not the only criteria for filing a tax return. Residents with assets abroad are now required to submit their details irrespective of whether they have income generated in India.

The government has made disclosure of foreign assets mandatory in a bid to trace black money, which has become a big political issue.

Although there is no official figure, some private research puts illicit money held by Indians at $1.4 trillion (Dh5.14 trillion).

The government says the mandatory disclosure of foreign assets is aimed at preventing the generation and circulation of unaccounted-for money and so that undisclosed assets can be tracked.

However, such a disclosure could cause undue hardship to individuals, especially the family of an expatriate, who qualify as residents due to their physical presence in India.

For example, spouses of foreigners who work in India or non-resident Indians returning to India will need to disclose their foreign assets.

“It is not clear how the additional information may be used, but it will cause hardship to genuine tax payers,” said Ahuja.

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News Network
October 22,2024

Several Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) schools across India were hit with hoax bomb threats on Tuesday, just days after an explosion occurred near a CRPF school in Delhi. The threats, sent via email late Monday night, targeted schools in Delhi and Hyderabad, according to sources.

Earlier this week, a bomb exploded outside a CRPF school in Delhi’s Rohini area, causing significant damage to nearby vehicles and property. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported.

In response to the blast, Delhi Police confiscated CCTV footage from nearby markets as part of their investigation. Sources indicate that surveillance footage captured a suspect at the scene, wearing a white T-shirt, displaying suspicious behavior the night before the explosion.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the explosive device had been hidden in a polythene bag, buried in a shallow pit, and covered with garbage. The blast caused a hole in the school's boundary wall and shattered the window panes and signboards of nearby shops.

Following the incident, the Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Section 3 of the Indian Explosives Act, and other relevant sections.

The FIR states, "A case of an explosion caused by an unknown explosive substance has been registered, and the investigation continues." It also details the damage, noting that the blast left a hole in the boundary wall and affected nearby structures.

The targeted schools serve children from CRPF and other paramilitary families, and the recent threats have heightened concerns. In response, Delhi authorities have placed the city on high alert, ramping up security measures, especially in markets, ahead of the Diwali festival. 

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News Network
October 27,2024

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav stated on Sunday, October 27, that his party is prepared to contest the Maharashtra Assembly elections independently if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) does not include them in the alliance. 

Yadav assured that the SP would only contest in constituencies where it has a strong organizational presence and would ensure its participation does not affect the MVA’s overall prospects.

Several I.N.D.I.A. alliance members have expressed dissatisfaction with the Congress over seat-sharing arrangements in upcoming state polls. 

Both the CPI(ML)L and the RJD voiced frustration after being offered only 3-4 seats each for the Jharkhand elections by the Congress.

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