A series of innovative newspaper advertisements by the Finance Ministry is goading high spenders to file tax returns. The latest ad tells new property owners that while friends would be dropping in to see the new flat, the Income-Tax Department too could land up in case the return is not filed. Quite a long way from the "Gupta uncle not paying taxes" ad campaign which provoked the ire of large sections.

The Finance Minister has let it out that the majority of the high spenders captured through the Annual Information Return filed by third parties have ignored the letter sent by the Department asking them for their income sources. Hence, the threat to come knocking on their doors.