From social media accounts to e-mails...these things will change!
The new income tax bill introduced by the government recently is in a lot of discussion. The government is claiming that many major changes have been made in the new tax bill, which make the laws even simpler and easier. However, there are some rules in the new bill, on which people are getting angry.
Why are people angry?
Actually, people are discussing a lot about the provision of the bill, which says that now income tax officers can demand your social media account during investigation. In the new bill, the officers will have the legal right to search from your social media account to e-mail and at the same time can ask for access to all the wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital assets of the taxpayers during the investigation.
What was in the old bill?
Under the Income Tax Act 1961 which is currently in force, income tax officers are allowed to conduct searches and seize bank accounts during investigation. Apart from this, if the officials demand access to social media accounts, emails, laptops and hard drives, then they also have to face legal resistance.
But now in the new Income Tax Bill which is going to be implemented from april 1, 2026, the officials have been legally empowered to demand access to the social media accounts, computers, emails and other wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital assets of the taxpayers apart from their bank accounts.
Not only this, if a taxpayer refuses to cooperate in the investigation, then the officials can bypass the password of their account, override the security settings and unlock the necessary files.
In which cases is the right?
Under Part 247 of the NEW IT ACT, the officials in india have this right in certain cases. Investigation of wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital assets under this Act is not for all taxpayers. Rather, this provision will apply to such taxpayers who are suspected of tax evasion and undeclared assets (property on which tax has not been paid), in these cases the officers will be given the right to access e-mails, social media, bank accounts, investment accounts and other wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital assets.
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