Former India cricket captain MS Dhoni has emerged as the highest individual taxpayer across Bihar and Jharkhand for the financial year 2025–26, according to senior Income Tax officials. The announcement came as the Income Tax Department reported a total collection of nearly ₹20,000 crore from the two states.
Strong Tax Collection Performance in FY 2025–26
Speaking to the media, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Bihar–Jharkhand), Dr D. Sudhakara Rao, confirmed that the combined tax collection from both states stood at around ₹20,000 crore during the financial year.
Out of this, Jharkhand alone contributed approximately ₹12,000 crore, while Bihar accounted for the remaining share.
Officials noted that nearly 70% of the total revenue came through Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), highlighting the growing role of structured income channels in the region.
MS Dhoni Leads Individual Taxpayer Rankings
In a notable highlight, officials confirmed that MS Dhoni was the highest individual taxpayer across both Bihar and Jharkhand.
While the department did not disclose his exact tax payment details, it acknowledged his top position among individual taxpayers for the year.
Dhoni, who hails from Ranchi in Jharkhand, continues to be one of India’s most prominent sports personalities even after retiring from international cricket.
Major Contribution from Public Sector Companies
Apart from individual taxpayers, several public sector enterprises also played a major role in the tax collection figures.
Companies such as Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), and CMPDI were among the top corporate contributors in the region.
Officials also noted that mining activity was slightly impacted due to heavy rainfall during the year, which affected overall collections to some extent.
Outlook for the Current Financial Year
Despite the challenges, the Income Tax Department remains optimistic about growth in the current financial year. Officials expressed confidence that collections could surpass the ₹20,000 crore mark in the coming cycle.
Dr Rao highlighted that with improved compliance and recovery efforts, tax performance is expected to strengthen further.
Large Taxpayer Base, Low Filing Ratio
Officials also shared that Bihar and Jharkhand together have around 5.5 crore PAN card holders, but only about 40 lakh individuals currently file income tax returns.
This gap, according to the department, indicates significant scope for improving awareness and compliance in the region.
New Income Tax Act, 2025 Explained
During a recent review meeting with tax officers, Dr Rao also discussed the upcoming Income Tax Act, 2025, which will come into effect from April 1, replacing the decades-old Income Tax Act of 1961.
He said the new law aims to simplify tax procedures through clearer language, better structure, and a more user-friendly format, without changing the core tax policies.
Awareness Drives Planned
The Income Tax Department has planned a series of outreach programmes across Bihar and Jharkhand to educate taxpayers, bankers, public sector units, and other stakeholders about the new system and compliance procedures.
Officials believe these initiatives will help improve understanding of the revised tax framework and encourage wider participation in the formal tax system.
The latest figures highlight both strong revenue performance and growing compliance challenges in Bihar and Jharkhand. With MS Dhoni topping the individual taxpayer list and the department preparing for a new tax regime, the region is set for a significant transition in financial reporting and awareness in the coming year.
