Outlook Business Desk
Mahendra Singh Dhoni topped the list of individual taxpayers across Bihar and Jharkhand in financial year 2025-26 as Income Tax authorities reported combined collections of nearly ₹20,000 crore from both states, senior officials confirmed on Thursday.
Officials confirmed Mahendra Singh Dhoni ranked as the highest individual taxpayer across Bihar and Jharkhand, though the exact amount was not disclosed. The former India captain remains among top celebrity taxpayers through endorsements, cricket earnings and investments.
Income Tax Department (ITD) data showed Bihar and Jharkhand together collected nearly ₹20,000 crore in FY26, reflecting growth in direct tax receipts across the region as senior officials highlighted overall performance during the reporting on Thursday.
Officials stated Jharkhand contributed about ₹12,000 crore of the total ₹20,000 crore collection, making it significantly higher than Bihar due to strong mining and industrial activity concentration that drives a larger share of direct tax revenue across the state.
Authorities reported nearly 70% of total tax collection came through tax deducted at source, indicating a rising contribution from salaried individuals, corporates and organised sector compliance, strengthening direct tax collections across Bihar and Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, public sector mining companies including Central Coalfields Limited, Bharat Coking Coal Limited and CMPDI emerged as major taxpayers in the region, officials said, reflecting strong contribution from the mining and coal sector across Bihar and Jharkhand.
Officials said Jharkhand’s higher tax share than Bihar comes from concentrated mining and industrial activity, while heavy rainfall in the previous financial year disrupted mining and reduced sector tax collections.
Bihar and Jharkhand together have around 5.5 crore PAN card holders, but only about 40 lakh individuals file income tax returns, highlighting a wide gap and major scope for expanding the taxpayer base and improving compliance.
Over 100 officers from Bihar and Jharkhand discussed the Income Tax Act 2025, set to replace the 1961 law, with officials saying it will simplify compliance and expand awareness through outreach for banks, PSUs and taxpayers.