New Delhi, March 31, 2024: The Congress party finds itself under the scrutiny of the Income Tax department once again, as fresh notices amounting to over ₹1,745 crore have been issued to the party. This development comes shortly after the department demanded ₹1,823 crore in taxes from the party.
The new tax notices pertain to the assessment years spanning from 2014-15 to 2016-17, as per PTI reports. This adds to the cumulative tax demand facing the Congress, which now stands at a staggering ₹3,567 crore.
According to sources, the fresh income tax notices are specifically linked to the financial years 2014-15 (₹663 crore), 2015-16 (approximately ₹664 crore), and 2016-17 (around ₹417 crore).
These demands have been calculated based on the entirety of the party’s collections, following the cessation of tax exemptions previously enjoyed by political parties. Furthermore, the department has levied taxes on what it terms as “third-party entries,” allegedly found in diaries seized during raids on some Congress leaders.
This latest development follows the issuance of notices on Friday, where the Congress was asked to pay ₹1,823 crore in taxes. Additionally, the tax authorities have already debited ₹135 crore from the party’s accounts to meet previous tax demands.
Amidst these developments, Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken has accused the BJP of significant tax violations. Maken claims that using the same criteria applied to the Congress, the BJP should be liable to pay ₹4,600 crore in taxes. He has called upon the income tax department to demand this amount from the BJP.
The Congress has alleged selective targeting by the Income Tax department, accusing the government of engaging in what it terms as “tax terrorism.” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asserted that despite such pressure, the party remains resolute in its stance.
The Delhi High Court recently dismissed the Congress party’s plea challenging the initiation of tax reassessment proceedings against it for a four-year period. These developments come amidst heightened political tensions in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
