Income Tax Department surveys 62 restaurants in 46 cities, finds about ₹408 crore of suppressed sales
The Income Tax Department surveyed 62 restaurants across 46 cities in 22 states on 8 March 2026 and found suppression of sales of about ₹408 crore, and launched the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign asking 63,000 restaurants to update their returns.
Summary
The Income Tax Department carried out a nationwide survey of 62 restaurants across 46 cities in 22 states on 8 March 2026, which on a preliminary basis revealed suppression of sales of about ₹408 crore. The action followed an investigation in November 2025, when the department found restaurants deleting bulk bills to hide sales, and AI-enabled analysis of transaction data from about 1.77 lakh restaurants compared with their income tax returns. The department has started the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign, under which emails and messages will go to 63,000 identified restaurants in the first phase, asking them to file updated returns under Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act before 31 March 2026.
Key facts
- Survey date
- 8 March 2026
- Scope
- 62 restaurants, 46 cities, 22 states
- Suppression found
- ~₹408 crore (preliminary)
- Data analysed
- ~1.77 lakh restaurants, AI-enabled tools
- Campaign
- SAKSHAM NUDGE — 63,000 restaurants, phase 1
- Remedy
- Updated return under Section 139(8A) before 31 March 2026
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What is the name of the campaign launched by the Income Tax Department in March 2026 to guide restaurants to correct their returns?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — SAKSHAM NUDGE
The department started the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign; in phase one, messages go to 63,000 identified restaurants.
The Income Tax Department's survey of restaurants on 8 March 2026 revealed preliminary sales suppression of about how much?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹408 crore
The survey of 62 restaurants in 46 cities across 22 states revealed suppression of sales of about ₹408 crore.
Under which provision of the Income Tax Act were restaurants encouraged to file updated returns in the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Section 139(8A)
Taxpayers were encouraged to file updated returns under Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act before 31 March 2026.