Surge in Income Tax-Related Searches
India is witnessing a significant surge in online searches for tax-related services, with Justdial reporting a substantial uptick in demand across categories like tax consultants, chartered accountants, and return filing agents. This trend reflects rising awareness and a digital-first approach to financial compliance.
Searches for tax consultants have doubled year-on-year and rose 18% quarter-on-quarter nationwide. Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai emerged as top growth drivers, with increases of 134%, 133%, and 91%, respectively. Searches for tax return filing agents have also seen a significant spike, rising 41% QoQ and 28% YoY. Cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, and Chennai have shown sharp increases, indicating high traction in last-mile tax compliance ahead of the revised filing deadline.
Demand for chartered accountants has grown 35% YoY and 11% QoQ pan-India, with cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur showing strong momentum. The NRI income tax return category has recorded impressive growth, with Pune showing a 2x YoY spike, followed by Mumbai and Delhi. Increased scrutiny of foreign income disclosures and crypto asset reporting likely contributed to the upward trend in digital search intent from the global Indian community.
Interest in property tax consultants has doubled YoY and risen 40% QoQ, suggesting a seasonal uptick in property transactions and financial reconciliations around Q1-end. This trend is likely driven by the need for professional guidance on tax compliance and financial planning.
The surge in searches is likely driven by the Central Board of Direct Taxes’ extension of the income tax return filing deadline to September 15, 2025, and the anticipated Income Tax Bill, 2025, which aims to streamline and modernize the current Income Tax Act. India’s taxpayers are actively seeking professional guidance to avoid last-minute errors and maximize their benefits.
