High-income earners need not sweat over the income tax official . going through their returns with a magnifying lens. There is nearly a 50% chance of their returns escaping a scrutiny because of a critical shortage of midlevel officers in the income tax department. 

Nearly half the posts of assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners are lying vacant, undermining the cadre that forms the backbone of the department for scrutinizing high-income earners. 

"Over 40% of assesses with an annual income above Rs 10 lakh are unmonitored at the moment," a senior income tax officer said on condition of anonymity. The staff crunch has resulted in increased workload on serving officers, affecting their ability to scrutinise returns. 

"Many officers are merely signing mandatory reports and completing formalities that are time barred," the officer said. The high vacancy in the department could undermine the government's effort to check generation and circulation of black money. Shortage of officers would make it even more difficult for the government to meet its direct taxes collection target for 2011-12, said another income tax official. 

The government has set the direct taxes collection target for the year at Rs 5.33 lakh crore, which is 20% higher than the actual collection in the last fiscal. The income tax department has a sanctioned strength of 2,092 deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners. 

But only 1,250 of these posts are occupied at present. This figure would be reduced further as about 200 of these officers are due for promotion soon, said another official. 

One officer said besides retirement, court injunctions and orders barring promotion of junior staff has added to the problem. In some regions such as Mumbai, promotion from income tax officer to assistant commissioner has been slow. 

Currently, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is functioning with a staff of about 47,000 against the sanctioned strength of 58,000. The department has sought an additional 22,000 employees. 

Last month, Sunil Mitra, who was then revenue secretary, had said that the income tax and customs were facing a nearly 50% shortage of senior officers. 

Every range has four income tax officers under an assistant commissioner. Because of the shortage of manpower, a single officer of this rank is holding the charge of two ranges.(ET)