CBDT clarifies on misinformation pertaining to individual return filers



Quick Summary
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a clarification addressing misinformation circulating on social media regarding individual income tax return filers. The CBDT stated that out of 5.78 crore individuals who filed returns for the financial year 2018-19, a significant portion, 4.32 crore, disclosed income up to Rs 5 lakh. Following the Finance Act 2019, these individuals are exempt from paying income tax for the current financial year 2019-20 and onwards, meaning only approximately 1.46 crore individuals are liable to pay income tax.

Certain misinformation is being circulated in Social Media pertaining to individual return filers. 

CBDT gave following clarification on the same:

During the current financial year, 5.78 crore individuals filed returns disclosing income of financial year 2018-19. Out of these,1.03 crore individuals have shown income below Rs 2.5 lakh & 3.29 crore individuals disclosed taxable income between Rs.2.5 lakh to Rs.5 lakh.

Out of 5.78 crore returns filed during this financial year,4.32 crore individuals have disclosed income upto Rs 5 lakh. The Finance Act, 2019 has exempted individual tax payers having income up to Rs 5 lakh. Therefore, these 4.32 crore individual tax payers having income up to Rs 5 lakh shall not be liable to pay tax for the current financial year 2019-20 and subsequent years. Hence, only around 1.46 crore individual tax payers are liable to pay income-tax.

Futher, around 1 crore individuals disclosed income between Rs. 5-10 lakh and only 46 lakh individual tax payers have disclosed income above Rs.10 lakh. Only 3.16 lakh individual tax payers have disclosed income above Rs 50 lakh. 

The number of individual tax payers who have disclosed income above Rs 5 crore in the whole of the country is only around 8,600. In the ITRs filed by individuals in current financial year,only about 2200 Doctors,Chartered Accountants, Lawyers &such other professionals have disclosed annual income of more than Rs.1crore from their profession(excluding other incomes like rental,interest,capital gains etc)

FAQ :

The CBDT is clarifying misinformation circulating on social media about individual income tax return filers.

In the current financial year, 5.78 crore individuals filed returns disclosing income for the financial year 2018-19.

Out of 5.78 crore returns filed, 4.32 crore individuals disclosed income up to Rs 5 lakh.

No, due to the Finance Act 2019, individual taxpayers with income up to Rs 5 lakh are exempt from paying income tax for the current financial year 2019-20 and subsequent years.

Approximately 1.46 crore individual taxpayers are liable to pay income tax.

Only about 2,200 doctors, chartered accountants, lawyers, and similar professionals disclosed annual income exceeding Rs 1 crore from their profession, excluding other income sources.




News posted by

Finance news reporter covering taxation, GST, income tax, business compliance, and economy updates. I simplify complex financial topics into easy-to-understand articles for professionals, taxpayers, and business owners on leading finance and tax platforms.

Comments :


More »

Popular News





CCI Pro



Company
ARTICLESHIP 29 October 2026
Article Assistant (CA Inter / CMA Inter) - Thrissur

Varma Raja & Associates

Thrissur

CA Inter

View Details
Company
ARTICLESHIP 07 October 2026
Article Assistant

Malhotra Rajesh & Associates

New Delhi

B.Com

View Details
Company
Featured ARTICLESHIP 28 October 2026
CA- Inter and Articles

N N V Satish & Co.,

Hyderabad

CA Inter

View Details
Company
10 October 2026
Accounts Associate Level 1

Abic and Mani Chartered Accountants

Kottayam

B.Com

View Details
Company
19 October 2026
Accountants/Articles (Freshers/Experienced)

ADY & CO.

New Delhi

Graduate (Any)

View Details
Company
15 October 2026
Senior Accountant

Continental Belting Pvt Ltd

Mumbai

B.Com

View Details
Company
12 October 2026
Chartered Accountant - Internal Audit

HKC | Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors

Ludhiana

CA

View Details
Company
Featured ARTICLESHIP 31 October 2026
CA Articleship

apricus india

Navi Mumbai

CA Inter

View Details