"The data maintained by the Income Tax Department shows that during April 1, 2017 to August 5, 2017, 2.79 crore e- returns of individual taxpayers were received as against 2.23 crore e-returns received during April 1, 2016 to August 5, 2016. Thus, the additional ITRs received in 2017 works out to be 56 lakh," CBDT said in a statement.In 2015, 2 crore e-returns were received. This meant that 23 lakh additional tax payers filed returns in 2016.A top finance ministry official said the people are trying to find fault where none lies. "This means they are the additions made in tax payers post demonetisation in the previous year. "It added that the number of tax filers is likely to "rise significantly" above the 2.79 crore returns e-filed as "many more taxpayers are still to file their returns".

Source: Times of India August 18, 2017 16:19 UTC