At 36.8 lakh, Maharashtra tops list of women ITR filers; Gujarat 2nd
Writer Admin
Karnataka saw a steady increase in women income tax return (ITR) filers over the past five years, with numbers climbing to 14.3 lakh in the assessment year 2023-24 from 11.3 lakh in 2019-20, recording an impressive growth of approximately 26%.
Nationally, Maharashtra leads the pack with 36.8 lakh women ITR filers in 2023-24, showing a 23% growth over five years. Gujarat follows with 22.5 lakh women and a 24% increase. Uttar Pradesh reported a 29% growth, reaching 20.4 lakh women filers.
Karnataka's YoY growth shows a pattern of progression, barring a slight dip in AY 2020-21 (pandemic year) to around 11 lakh, from which the state quickly rebounded with 11.7 lakh filers in 2021-22.
The subsequent years saw more growth, as per the latest data made public by the finance ministry.
This suggests a combination of factors at play - improved economic opportunities, possible increased workforce participation, and potentially a more progressive social environment that encourages women's financial independence.
The ministry's data is for the period up to September 30, 2024.

The break-up of how many of the women ITR filers paid taxes and the quantum of taxes paid by women was not immediately available. Separate data accessed by TOI for overall ITR filers in the state showed 38.2 lakh, 39.2 lakh, 39.8 lakh, and 42.6 lakh filers in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23.

While the number of filers for 2023-24 is estimated to be around 43 lakh, a final figure is not available.


Going by this, women constituted a third of all ITR filers in the state in the latest assessment year, while it was only 29% in 2019-20, indicating that the growth in women filers was higher than the overall growth.


While states like Telangana show the most remarkable percentage increase at 39%, they have lower absolute numbers, and the data reveals variations across different states.


West Bengal and Tamil Nadu show consistent growth, with 12.9 lakh and 15.5 lakh women filers, respectively.


Delhi shows a more modest growth of 11%, reaching 12.08 lakh women tax filers. Andhra Pradesh presents the most conservative growth among compared states, with 6.5 lakh women filers and an 18% increase over five years.

 

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