New Delhi, Oct 14: Actor-producer Arbaaz Khan who received a surprise visit from officials of the Income Tax department, has downplayed the incident, saying that it was merely a survey, "not a raid".
Arbaaz, who is on a career high after his production 'Dabangg', broke all box-office records, took to the micro-blogging website Twitter to offer an explanation.
IT officials had entered Sohail Khan Production's office Tuesday afternoon, apparently to check on the over Rs 100 crore garnered by the Salman Khan starrer since its release last month.
"Had income tax guys pay us a visit at our office. They came at 2 p.m. and left at 6 a.m. Kya energy (What energy)," wrote Arbaaz.
"What the IT (income tax) guys conducted is a survey. A survey is different from a raid. In a survey, they visit only where you operate your office from. A survey can convert into a raid due to lack of cooperation or if the IT guys are not satisfied with your disclosures.
"A raid gives IT guys draconian powers where they have a right to demand any papers, account or even break any thing in case they feel so," explained Arbaaz, who made his debut as a producer with 'Dabangg'.
According to the 43-year-old, everything went "smooth" at his office, but he will have to pay advance tax for the earnings of the film.
"I said I would be more than happy to pay tax. Advance tax means paying tax on anticipated income, so I have to pay that. That means basically before I get anything, the IT department surely does," he added.
Arbaaz's elder brother Salman is currently caught up in a 10-year-old case with the IT department involving alleged tax evasion of Rs.40 million by him in the year 2000-2001.
The petition filed by the IT department, which was ruled in the actor's favour at the income tax appellate tribunal, will now be heard by the Bombay High Court. PTI
