A taxpayer can now know exactly why his/her income tax return (ITR) has been selected for scrutiny (close examination) by the Income Tax Department. This is because the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has released guidelines via a circular dated May 3, 2024, which are to be followed for compulsory selection of ITRs for complete scrutiny for FY 2024-25. "Since the last few years, CBDT has issued similar circulars on an annual basis providing criteria for mandatory/ compulsory selection of ITRs for scrutiny and recently this circular was issued for FY 2024-25. These circulars issue guidelines for compulsory selection of ITRs for complete scrutiny as well as for the procedure for compulsory selection in such specified cases," says Dr Suresh Surana, founder, RSM India, a tax and business consultancy group.