CBDT Recovers ₹92,400 Crore in Outstanding Taxes Ahead of Fiscal Year-End
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has recovered ₹92,400 crore in outstanding taxes up to March 15, 2025, in a major push to meet revenue targets before the financial year ends. This aggressive recovery drive has brought in ₹67,711 crore from corporate tax dues, ₹23,536 crore from personal income tax, and ₹1,100 crore from tax deducted at source (TDS) defaults.
CBDT Tax Recovery
This year’s recovery marks a significant increase over the ₹75,000 crore collected in the previous fiscal. With two weeks still remaining in the financial year, officials are optimistic that the recovery figure may cross ₹1 lakh crore by March 31, particularly as many taxpayers are expected to file revised returns in the closing days.
The CBDT had set out an extensive action plan at the beginning of the year, which included clear zone-wise recovery targets for field officers. Special focus was given to recoverable cases, and field formations were directed to go after high-value defaulters. Senior officials, including principal commissioners of income tax, were tasked with overseeing the top 5,000 recovery cases flagged by the board.
Corporate Tax Collection
The lion’s share of the recovery came from corporates, accounting for nearly ₹68,000 crore. This reflects an increased focus on ensuring compliance from large businesses, many of whom had been issued demand notices. Tax authorities prioritized cases where legal proceedings were complete and recovery was deemed possible.
Income Tax Dues
The department also recovered a sizable amount from personal income tax defaulters. A dedicated mechanism was in place to follow up on these dues, and in several instances, assets were attached to ensure compliance. Additionally, efforts were made to bring in revenue from cases where TDS was deducted but not deposited with the government.
As part of future plans, the CBDT is now considering working with other investigative agencies to track down missing taxpayers and address cases where tax liabilities remain unpaid due to absconding or untraceable entities. These collaborative efforts are expected to improve traceability and plug revenue leaks.
With the fiscal year drawing to a close, the current recovery efforts demonstrate the government’s commitment to tightening tax enforcement and strengthening overall fiscal discipline. The near-record recovery figure is expected to significantly bolster the revenue collection profile of the current financial year.
