Income tax officers can now reopen tax cases for up to 10 years if search operations reveal undisclosed income and assets of over 50 lakh rupees. Currently, IT officers can go back up to 6 years to scrutinize the books of accounts of assesses.<br/> <br/> According to the memorandum to the Finance Bill 2017, the amendment to the Income Tax Act will take effect from 1st April this year. This means that the books of accounts of an assessee can<br/>be reopened by taxmen back till 2007.<br/> <br/>As per the amendment, notices can be issued if the assessing officer has in his possession books of accounts or other documents or evidence which reveal that the income that has escaped assessment amounts to 50 lakh rupees or more in a year or in aggregate of four assessment years.<br/> <br/>The notices can also be issued if the income which escaped assessment is in the form of assets. In case of undisclosed foreign assets, the government had allowed tax authorities to reopen cases up to 16 years.