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🚨 Income Tax Crackdown: Fake Claims = Heavy Punishment

The Income Tax Department has intensified its crackdown on fraudulent tax deductions and inflated claims. Filing incorrect information in your ITR can now lead to serious consequences — including up to 7 years in jail, 200% penalty, and interest charges up to 24% annually.

🔍 What Triggered the Crackdown?

Using AI tools and data analytics, the department has unearthed fake claims filed by refund agents, especially under popular sections like:

• HRA – Section 10(13A)

• Health Insurance Premium – Section 80D

• Donations – Sections 80G, 80GGC

• Interest on Education or Home Loans – Sections 80E, 80EE, 80EEB

So far, over ₹1,045 crore worth of fake claims have been reversed, with 40,000+ taxpayers filing revised returns (ITR-U) in the last 4 months alone.

⚖️ Legal Consequences for False Claims

According to tax laws, here’s what can happen if you're caught:

📝 New ITR Requirements to Curb Fraud

The latest ITR forms now require mandatory disclosures, including:

• Detailed HRA calculations

• Insurance company information for Section 80D

• Loan sanction and account details for 80E, 80EE, 80EEA

Even a small error could trigger auto-flagging and result in a tax notice.

✅ What Should You Do?

If you suspect you’ve made an incorrect claim or missed some income:

• File a revised return using ITR-U

• Recheck details in AIS (Annual Information Statement) and Form 26AS

• Avoid refund agents or intermediaries

• Correct any errors honestly before you’re flagged by the department

🔁 ITR-U (Updated Return) is available for up to 5 years to voluntarily correct mistakes.

🛑 Final Advice:

Don't fall into the trap of false deductions or shortcuts for bigger refunds. The tax department now has powerful tools to detect discrepancies. Stay honest, file accurately, and use ITR-U to make corrections if needed.