Income Tax Department Probes CSR-Linked Suspected Money Laundering Network



Quick Summary
The Income Tax Department is investigating a suspected money laundering scheme involving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Companies are allegedly funneling mandatory CSR spending through fake trusts, only to receive a significant portion of the money back in cash or through complex transactions. This practice not only allows them to claim wrongful tax deductions but also to evade tax on the undeclared income received back, defrauding the exchequer on two fronts. The investigation, which began in Delhi with raids on several trusts, is expected to expand to other major cities as authorities tighten scrutiny on CSR spending.

The Income Tax Department has unearthed a suspected money laundering racket linked to CSR funds, where several companies are alleged to have routed their mandatory CSR spending through bogus trusts, only to receive the money back in cash or via layered transactions. According to sources, the raids
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FAQ :

The Income Tax Department has uncovered a suspected money laundering network linked to CSR funds, where companies allegedly routed their mandatory CSR spending through bogus trusts to get money back.

Companies transferred CSR funds to fake trusts, which then returned most of the money in cash or via layered transactions. Companies claimed CSR obligations were met and sometimes wrongful tax deductions.

The exchequer faces a double loss: revenue from wrongful deductions claimed by companies and tax on the undeclared funds that were returned to the companies.

In FY 2023-24, 27,188 companies spent ₹34,908.75 crore on CSR. Since the 2013 amendment, companies must spend 2% of their average net profits on CSR projects.

No, under the Income Tax Act, CSR expenditure is not deductible as a business expense, which has led some companies to seek questionable tax benefits.

The government is tightening scrutiny on CSR spending and associated tax claims, with raids expanding to other metros and potential legislative changes to close loopholes.




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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.

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