The Income Tax Department has carried out a nationwide verification exercise targeting tax evasion in the food and beverage sector, uncovering significant suppression of restaurant sales. Using AI-enabled analytics to examine transaction data from nearly 1.77 lakh restaurants, the department detected large-scale under-reporting of income, including deletion of bulk bills and manipulation of sales records. On 8 March 2026, authorities conducted surveys at 62 restaurants across 46 cities in 22 states, revealing preliminary suppression of turnover worth about Rs 408 crore. As part of a compliance-focused approach, the department has launched the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign to encourage voluntary correction of tax filings. In the first phase, around 63,000 restaurants will receive emails and messages advising them to update their returns before 31 March 2026 by using the updated return facility under the Income-tax law.
Official copy of the Press Release is as follows
Income Tax Department carries out nation-wide verification exercise on restaurants suppressing turnover
IT Department conducted a nationwide survey on 8th March 2026 on 62 restaurants across 46 cities in 22 States, revealing suppression of sales of around Rs. 408 crore
IT Department continues to emphasise voluntary compliance and a trust-based approach, and has commenced the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign to guide and advise taxpayers to correct their mistakes
In the first phase of SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign, emails and messages will be sent to identified 63,000 restaurants, requesting them to update their returns before 31 March 2026
The Income tax Department carried out investigation relating to tax evasion pattern in Food & Beverage sector in November 2025. During the exercise, it was found that several restaurants were engaged in deletion of bulk bills and other modifications to suppress the actual sales.
Advanced analytics of transactional data from about 1.77 lakh restaurants in the F&B sector was carried out using AI-enabled analytical tools. The data was compared with the turnover declared in their Income Tax Returns. The analysis revealed large-scale under-reporting of income. In some cases, recorded sales were not fully reflected in financial accounts or tax filings, and certain transactions were excluded from reported sales.
Consequently, on 8 March 2026, a nationwide survey was conducted on 62 restaurants across 46 cities in 22 States. On a preliminary basis, the exercise revealed suppression of sales amounting to around Rs. 408 crore. Investigations in this regard are underway.
The Department continues to emphasise voluntary compliance and a trust-based approach. It has commenced the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign to guide and advise taxpayers to correct their mistakes. Taxpayers are encouraged to file updated returns under Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act. In the first phase, emails and messages will be sent to the identified 63,000 restaurants, requesting them to update their returns before 31 March 2026.
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