(a) the arrears of outstanding tax accumulated as on 31 March, 2015, category-wise;
(b) the number out of them outstanding due to litigation in courts;
(c) whether delay in settlement of such cases in courts is a result of lack of due diligence on the part of Income tax officials to pursue the case; and
(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon and the steps taken by the Government for speedy recovery of outstanding taxes under litigation?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI.JAYANT SINHA)
(a) The details of outstanding income tax as on 31st March 2015 have not yet been compiled. However, provisional data of head-wise outstanding income tax demand as on 28th February 2015 is available and is as under:-
(Rs. in crore) Head Income Tax Corporate Tax Total Arrear Demand 312773 272252 585025 Current Demand 9349 48038 57387 Total 322122 320290 642412(b) The number of cases in which outstanding tax demand is locked in litigation in appeals, as on 31st March 2015, has not yet been compiled. However, provisional data of the amount of tax demand disputed in litigation before Commissioners of Income Tax (Appeals) (CsIT(A)), Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) and Supreme Court/ High Courts (SC/HCs) as on 28til February 2015, is as under:-
(Rs. in crore) Demand Arrear Demand Current Demand Total disputed Income Corporate Income Corporate before Tax Tax Tax Tax CsIT(A) 161700 116929 1475 9169 289273 ITAT 104618 47056 41 3678 155393 SC/HCs 3745 21329 168 226 25468 Total 270063 185314 1684 13073 470134(c) & (d) No, Madam. Income Tax Department takes all necessary steps to ensure that all cases are suitably represented and strongly contested. Necessary Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures are in place to ensure proper due diligence by the Officers concerned.