Women Income Tax Filers in India: State-wise Data

The Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 70 raised by Smt. Mala Roy sought year-wise and state-wise details of the number of women income tax payers in India over the last five assessment years (AYs 2019-20 to 2023-24). The data provided in the response by Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, highlighted the following key points:

1. Increasing Trend: The number of women income tax return filers has increased significantly, from 1.83 crore in AY 2019-20 to 2.29 crore in AY 2023-24, reflecting an annual growth in participation.

2. State Highlights:

• Maharashtra consistently reported the highest number of women tax filers, rising from 29.94 lakh in AY 2019-20 to 36.83 lakh in AY 2023-24.
• Other states with significant contributions include Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
• Smaller states and UTs like Lakshadweep, Mizoram, and Nagaland recorded lower, but steady, participation.

3. Notable Observations:

• States like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab saw robust growth in the number of women filers.
• UTs like Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu reported relatively smaller numbers, consistent with their population size.
• A category labeled “Unapportioned” accounted for data where the state was unspecified or incorrect.

4. Methodology:

• The data is based on e-returns filed under various ITR forms by women up to September 30, 2024.
• The state was determined based on the communication address in the ITR or, if unavailable, the PAN master.

This analysis demonstrates growing participation by women in India’s formal economy and tax system.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.70

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 25^th NOVEMBER, 2024 AGRAHAYANA 4, 1946 (SAKA)

Women Income Tax Payers

70. Smt. Mala Roy:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

the details regarding the number of women Income Tax payers during the last five years in the country, Year-wise and State-wise?”

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

STATE-WISE SUMMARY ON WOMEN INCOME-TAX RETURN FILERS (UPTO 30-SEP-2024)

Note:

1. he latest e-Returns in ITR-1/2/2A/3/4/4S submitted by individuals (women) for specified AYs upto 30-Sep-2024 have been considered. The Gender of the individual ITR filer has been taken from PAN Master.

2. The State mentioned in the communication address in Part-A General of Income-Tax Returns
has been taken, failing which the State mentioned in address in PAN Master has been taken.

3. The blank or incorrect States mentioned in addresses have been classified as ‘Unapportioned’.

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