IT Dept Doesn't Track Online Spending: PIB Debunks Misleading Claims

• PIB fact check clarifies Income Tax Department (ITD) does not track personal online shopping, digital payments, or app-based transactions.
• ITD has no mechanism to monitor individual digital or online activity, debunking claims about accessing emails or social media.
• Search and Survey operations (Section 247, Income Tax Act, 2025) allow access to digital spaces only for serious tax evasion, not routine monitoring.
• High-value transactions are reported by specified entities under Section 285BA (Income Tax Act, 1961) and SFT framework, which is routine compliance, not surveillance.
• The Income-tax Act, 1961, is being replaced by the simpler, technology-ready Income-tax Act, 2025, effective April 1, 2026.

Why It Matters: IT Dept doesn't routinely track online spending; access is limited to serious tax evasion cases.