Income Tax Act, 1961
Section 14: Ins. by Act 32 of 1985, s. 28 (w.e.f. 11974).
14. Ins. by Act 32 of 1985, s. 28 (w.e.f. 11974).
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1[138. Disclosure of information respecting assessees.—2[(1)(a) The Board or any other income-tax
authority specified by it by a general or special order in this behalf may furnish or cause to be furnished
to—
(i) any officer, authority or body performing any functions under any law relating to the
imposition of any tax, duty or cess, or to dealings in foreign exchange as defined in 3[clause (n) of
section 2 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999)]; or
(ii) such officer, authority or body performing functions under any other law as the Central
Government may, if in its opinion it is necessary so to do in the public interest, specify by notification
in the Official Gazette in this behalf,
any such information 4[received or obtained by any income-tax authority in the performance of his
functions under this Act], as may, in the opinion of the Board or other income-tax authority, be necessary
for the purpose of enabling the officer, authority or body to perform his or its functions under that law.
(b) Where a person makes an application to the 5[6[PrincipalChief Commissioner or Chief
Commissioner] or 7[PrincipalCommissioner or Commissioner]] in the prescribed form for any
information relating to any assessee8[received or obtained by any income-tax authority in the performance
of his functions under this Act], the 5[6[Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner] or
7[Principal Commissioner or Commissioner]] may, if he is satisfied that it is in the public interest so to do,
furnish or cause to be furnished the information asked for 9*** and his decision in this behalf shall be
final and shall not be called in question in any court of law.]
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or any other law for the time being in
force, the Central Government may, having regard to the practices and usages customary or any other
relevant factors, by order notified in the Official Gazette, direct that no information or document shall be
furnished or produced by a public servant in respect of such matters relating to such class of assessees or
except to such authorities as may be specified in the order.]
The Board or any other income-tax
authority specified by it by a general or special order in this behalf may furnish or cause to be furnished
to—
any officer, authority or body performing any functions under any law relating to the
imposition of any tax, duty or cess, or to dealings in foreign exchange as defined in 3[clause
of
section 2 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999)]; or
such officer, authority or body performing functions under any other law as the Central
Government may, if in its opinion it is necessary so to do in the public interest, specify by notification
in the Official Gazette in this behalf,
any such information 4[received or obtained by any income-tax authority in the performance of his
functions under this Act], as may, in the opinion of the Board or other income-tax authority, be necessary
for the purpose of enabling the officer, authority or body to perform his or its functions under that law.
Where a person makes an application to the 5[6[PrincipalChief Commissioner or Chief
Commissioner] or 7[PrincipalCommissioner or Commissioner]] in the prescribed form for any
information relating to any assessee8[received or obtained by any income-tax authority in the performance
of his functions under this Act], the 5[6[Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner] or
7[Principal Commissioner or Commissioner]] may, if he is satisfied that it is in the public interest so to do,
furnish or cause to be furnished the information asked for 9*** and his decision in this behalf shall be
final and shall not be called in question in any court of law.]
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section
or any other law for the time being in
force, the Central Government may, having regard to the practices and usages customary or any other
relevant factors, by order notified in the Official Gazette, direct that no information or document shall be
furnished or produced by a public servant in respect of such matters relating to such class of assessees or
except to such authorities as may be specified in the order.]