**Executive Summary**
The Income Tax Department conducted a nationwide survey on 62 restaurants on March 8, 2026, identifying approximately Rs. 408 crore in suppressed sales. To promote voluntary compliance, the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign has been launched, with the first phase involving emails and messages to 63,000 restaurants requesting updated returns by March 31, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Nationwide Survey Conducted:** A survey was conducted on March 8, 2026, involving 62 restaurants across 46 cities in 22 States.
* **Findings of Suppression:** The survey revealed an estimated suppression of sales amounting to around Rs. 408 crore.
* **Previous Investigation:** An investigation into tax evasion patterns in the Food & Beverage sector in November 2025 indicated the deletion of bills and modifications to suppress sales.
* **AI-Enabled Data Analysis:** Advanced analytics using AI tools were applied to transactional data from approximately 1.77 lakh restaurants in the F&B sector.
* **Discrepancies Found:** Analysis of this data compared to declared turnovers in Income Tax Returns revealed large-scale under-reporting of income, with recorded sales not fully reflected in financial accounts or tax filings.
* **SAKSHAM NUDGE Campaign Launched:** The Income Tax Department has initiated the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign to encourage voluntary compliance and guide taxpayers.
* **First Phase of Campaign:** In the initial phase, emails and messages will be sent to 63,000 identified restaurants.
* **Deadline for Updated Returns:** Restaurants are requested to update their returns before March 31, 2026, as per Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act.
**Impact Analysis**
**Restaurants:**
* **Impact:** Identified restaurants are affected by the findings of suppressed sales revealed by the survey and the subsequent launch of the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign. They face potential scrutiny and the need to rectify past reporting.
* **Action Required:** Restaurants identified in the first phase of the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign are required to update their income tax returns before March 31, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Income tax Department: The primary government body responsible for enforcing tax laws and conducting the verification exercise.
SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign: A campaign initiated by the IT Department to encourage voluntary compliance and correct mistakes.
Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act: The specific legal provision under which taxpayers are encouraged to file updated returns.
Ministry of Finance
Income tax Department carries out nation-wide
verification exercise on restaurants suppressing
turnover
IT Department conducted a nationwide survey on 8th March
2026 on 62 restaurants across 46 cities in 22 States, revealing
suppression of sales of around Rs. 408 crore
IT Department continues to emphasise voluntary compliance
and a trust-based approach, and has commenced the
SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign to guide and advise taxpayers
to correct their mistakes
In the first phase of SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign, emails and
messages will be sent to identified 63,000 restaurants,
requesting them to update their returns before 31 March 2026
Posted On: 09 MAR 2026 9:25PM by PIB Delhi
The Income tax Department carried out investigation relating to tax evasion pattern in Food & Beverage
sector in November 2025. During the exercise, it was found that several restaurants were engaged in
deletion of bulk bills and other modifications to suppress the actual sales.
Advanced analytics of transactional data from about 1.77 lakh restaurants in the F&B sector was carried
out using AI-enabled analytical tools. The data was compared with the turnover declared in their Income
Tax Returns. The analysis revealed large-scale under-reporting of income. In some cases, recorded sales
were not fully reflected in financial accounts or tax filings, and certain transactions were excluded from
reported sales.
Consequently, on 8 March 2026, a nationwide survey was conducted on 62 restaurants across 46 cities in
22 States. On a preliminary basis, the exercise revealed suppression of sales amounting to around Rs. 408
crore. Investigations in this regard are underway.
The Department continues to emphasise voluntary compliance and a trust-based approach. It has
commenced the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign to guide and advise taxpayers to correct their mistakes.
Taxpayers are encouraged to file updated returns under Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act. In the first
phase, emails and messages will be sent to the identified 63,000 restaurants, requesting them to update
their returns before 31 March 2026.
****NB/KMN
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