J&K Sees 43 % Surge in Income Tax Return Filers Over Five Years

SRINAGAR: The number of people filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) in Jammu and Kashmir has seen a notable increase over the past five years, while Ladakh has recorded a dip from 1,465 to 1,322 in 2024-25.

According to data presented in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Finance, the number of ITR filers in J&K rose from 4,49,249 in FY 2019-20 to 6,43,197 in FY 2024-25.

Similarly, in Ladakh, where tax filings were previously unrecorded as a separate entity, 1,465 individuals filed returns in FY 2023-24, with 1,322 filings already recorded for FY 2024-25.

“The rise in tax filings in J&K is part of a broader trend across India, where the government’s digital reforms, tax simplifications, and increased financial surveillance have encouraged more individuals to declare their incomes,” reads the data.

Ladakh, which became a separate Union Territory in 2019, has begun reporting independent tax filing data.

While the rise in tax filings is a positive sign, a substantial portion of these filers in J&K reported zero tax liability.

The data shows that out of the 6,43,197 filers in J&K in FY 2024-25, approximately 3,81,691 (nearly 59 per cent) had no tax liability.

This suggests that while many are filing returns, their declared income remains below the taxable threshold.

The situation is similar in Ladakh, where 1,021 out of 1,322 tax filers (77 per cent) reported zero tax liability. (KNO)