Income Tax Bill 2025 Allows Officials to Override Access Codes in Certain Cases

The Ministry of Finance has clarified in Parliament that Income Tax officials cannot access the personal emails, social media, or bank accounts of all taxpayers.

However, under the new Income Tax Bill 2025, officials can override access codes in cases of search and seizure if the assessee does not cooperate.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary addressed concerns raised in Parliament, stating that this provision aligns with existing laws.

Section 247 of the Bill allows officials to access "virtual digital space," including email servers, cloud storage, and trading accounts.

This clause has sparked concerns regarding digital privacy, as it grants tax authorities significant power in tax evasion investigations.