The Central Board of Direct Taxes has directed the Income Tax department to launch a special drive, from 20th January to 20th March 2012, for verifying high value transactions (investments / deposits / expenditure) from persons who are not assessed to income tax or who have not furnished their PAN while entering into such transactions. In an instruction issued today, the CBDT issued proforma for query letters and responses to be issued to the high value investors / depositors / spenders.

Addressees will be required to furnish their PAN if they already have one, or apply immediately for PAN to NSDL / UTIISL if they do not have one. They will also be required to explain the source of the high value investments / deposits / expenditure, and whether these are properly accounted for / explained in the income tax return filed by them. Persons who have not properly accounted for the high value transactions, are required to pay due taxes and file the income tax return within this financial year, i.e. by 31st March, 2012. For furnishing the information called for, visit to the tax office is not necessary. Information can be sent by speed / registered post. 

In some cases, the tax officials may also visit the premises of the high value investors / depositors / spenders. In such cases, the taxpayer should verify the identity of the tax official before furnishing information in the prescribed proforma. In case of any grievance or complaint, taxpayer may contact the assessing officer or the additional / joint commissioner or the commissioner concerned. The visiting tax official is required to furnish the telephone numbers of his supervisory officers. 

There are penal consequences of not obtaining PAN or reporting it. For not paying proper taxes, there can be penalty up to 300% of the unpaid tax, and also prosecution in some cases.