Only 14 lakh individuals out of the 2.89 crore assessees in the country declared an annual income of over ₹10 lakh, attracting the highest tax bracket of 30 per cent, in assessment year 2012-13.
According to the Income Tax Return Statistics for Assessment Year 2012-13, 14 lakh people or just 4.6 per cent of the total assessees paid taxes in the highest 30 per cent tax bracket. There are 2.89 crore assessees in the country.
These 14 lakh people accounted for 75 per cent of the total personal income tax collection.
"The data reveals very clearly that there is a need for widening and deepening of the tax net now," Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia told PTI.
The analysis further revealed that of 2.89 crore taxpayers who filed returns, 1.63 crore (56.4 per cent) did not pay taxes and 0.84 crore assessees (29.3 per cent) were in the 10 per cent tax bracket.
Taken together, these two segments constitute more than 85.5 per cent of the individual tax base.
The data showed there were 2,669 taxpayers with an income exceeding ₹5 crore, accounting for 9.6 per cent of taxes collected.
The data also showed there were 1.51 crore individuals whose tax was deducted at source, but did not file returns. Had they filed the returns, the number of income tax payers filing returns could have gone up to 4.4 crore in 2012-13, from 2.89 crore.
The revenue department, sources said, will soon come out with fresh data for assessment year 2013-14, and it will be used in formulating strategy for widening the tax base.
According to the I-T Act, people earning below ₹2.5 lakh per annum are exempt from paying taxes. Those with income between ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh pay a 10 per cent tax while ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh give 20 per cent tax. People with income above ₹10 lakh pay 30 per cent tax.