Chandigarh, May 8: Former international cricket captain MS Dhoni has been identified as the highest individual taxpayer across the states of Bihar and Jharkhand for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Dr. D. Sudhakara Rao, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax for the region, confirmed the ranking while disclosing that the two states generated a combined tax revenue of approximately ₹20,000 crore during the period.
Of the total collection, Jharkhand accounted for ₹12,000 crore, bolstered significantly by corporate contributions from mining and coal giants like Central Coalfields Limited and Bharat Coking Coal Limited. While the commissioner declined to reveal the specific amount paid by Dhoni, he affirmed that the athlete remains the leading individual contributor despite retiring from international cricket six years ago.
“M S Dhoni was the highest individual taxpayer combining Bihar and Jharkhand during the previous financial year,” Rao stated during an official briefing. He noted that while mining activity faced temporary disruptions due to heavy rainfall, the department remains optimistic about exceeding its previous revenue benchmarks in the current year.
The department also disclosed a significant gap in tax compliance, noting that only 40 lakh out of the 5.5 crore PAN card holders in the region currently file returns. Rao affirmed that Tax Deduction at Source continues to be the primary revenue driver, representing roughly 70 percent of the total amount collected.
To address compliance and simplify the filing process, officials met to discuss the implementation of the Income Tax Act, 2025, which recently replaced the 1961 legislation. Rao asserted that the new framework focuses on clarity and reader-friendly language to ease the burden on taxpayers. “The new Act marks a shift towards greater clarity and ease of compliance through simple language,” the commissioner declared.
