CBDT rolls out AI-Driven Project Satya to hunt Income Tax Evaders

Launched just hours before the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline, Project Satya promises to transform the way investigators track digital footprints, mobile locations, and suspicious behavior of potential tax defaulters.

AI Meets Tax Enforcement: How Project Satya Works

Project Satya integrates sophisticated AI algorithms with telecom and internet data to accelerate the identification of income tax evaders. Key features include:

• Messaging App Monitoring: Tracks usage patterns on WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and other top messaging platforms.
  
  

• Unusual Digital Behavior Detection: Analyzes IP addresses to flag anomalous activity indicative of evasion.
  
  

• Mobile Tower Geolocation: Verifies suspects’ physical locations via cell-tower triangulation.
  
  

• “Sandwich Call” Flagging: Detects covert calls hidden between longer phone conversations.
  
  

• OTP Transfer Alerts: Identifies suspicious one-time password (OTP) transactions often linked to fraud.
  
  

Investigators report that tasks which once took hours of manual data collation can now be completed in minutes, dramatically boosting enforcement efficiency.

What Taxpayers Should Know and Do

To help filers navigate portal slowdowns, the Income Tax Department issued troubleshooting tips, including:

• Clearing browser cache and cookies before logging in
  
  

• Using the latest versions of supported browsers
  
  

• Avoiding peak filing hours
  
  

• Ensuring a stable internet connection
  
  

However, many users report these measures provided limited relief amid persistent login errors.

With Project Satya set for nationwide deployment, CBDT aims to deter tax evasion through rapid digital surveillance. As the government leverages AI and DRDO-backed technology, taxpayers are advised to file returns well ahead of any deadlines and follow official guidance to mitigate portal-related issues.