(TOI)
In a quiet display of dissent, numerous taxpayers across the country have opted to file their tax returns manually, via snail-mail, rather than get an Aadhaar card. Many others filed their returns online early, prior to June 30, when the Aadhaar linkage was not mandatory.
“Technically you should be able to file online even if you don’t have an Aadhaar card, but the e-filing system does not allow it,” said docu filmmaker Rakesh Sharma, who considers the Aadhaar requirement a potential violation of privacy and a possible tool for state surveillance and data mining.
The I-T department’s e-filing portal does not accept returns without an Aadhaar or an Aadhaar application number. In some instances, even an application number is being rejected – which according to I-T officials could be owing to an error by the tax filer or a temporary technical glitch. Thus, those without an Aadhaar or its application number are caught in a catch-22 situation, as taxpayers with an income of above Rs 5 lakh have to mandatorily file their I-T returns online.
