Pune: 300 Companies Exposed for Tax Evasion Using PAN Card of Ex-Maharashtra Official’s Son
Pune, 29th July 2024: Nearly 300 companies have been exposed for tax evasion by using the PAN card number of the son of a former Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra for annual tax deductions on house rent allowances. This shocking revelation came to light after the complainant received a notice from the Income Tax Department.
A 74-year-old woman has filed a complaint at Kothrud Police Station. The complaint alleges that a case has been registered against employees of various companies, chartered accountants, and an email user who misused the PAN card number.
According to the police, the complainant woman was the Additional Chief Secretary of the Maharashtra State. Her son, who resides and works in the Netherlands, obtained a PAN card in 2011 but had no taxable income in India. Therefore, this PAN card was not used. In 2019, when the PAN card was linked with the Aadhaar card, it was discovered that Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) holders had been using it for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) deductions through an unknown person since 2011. The complainant then inquired with her son, who confirmed that no one was authorized to use the PAN card number. Following this, a notice was issued by the Income Tax Department to the complainant’s son.
The employees of various companies used the PAN card for tax deductions on house rent. The house rent agreements filed by these employees, and landlords, were processed without verifying the PAN cards, relying solely on the documents submitted.
According to the complaint, 117 companies used the PAN card for tax deductions in the financial year 2020-2021, 104 companies in 2021-2022, and 80 companies in 2022-2023. The complainant has alleged that this led to significant tax evasion amounting to crores. Police Inspector (Crime) Kadam is investigating the case.
