New Delhi, Dec. 23 -- The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued a detailed fact-check report after a post on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that, starting 1 April 2026, the Income Tax Department would have the 'authority' to access social media accounts, emails, and other digital platforms to curb tax evasion.

Labelling the social media post as 'misleading', PIB clarified that under the provisions of section 247 of the Income Tax Act 2025, such measures are strictly limited to Search and Survey operations. This means that taxpayers who are not under investigation or suspected of tax evasion do not need to worry.

"Unless a taxpayer is undergoing a formal search operation due to evidence of significant tax evasion, the department has no...