The income-tax (I-T) department has asked large corporate entities, including multinational firms, to furnish details of employees off the payroll to check whether they are filing tax returns after deduction at source, or TDS.According to I-T officials, many lawyers, chartered accountants, consultants, and designers — not on the payroll of companies — have not filed I-T returns (ITR), fearing they would have to disclose their full income. The move is part of the government’s efforts to increase the tax base and nab potential evaders. The deadline for filing returns for the assessment year (AY) 2017-18, to track income in the fiscal year 2016-17 (FY17), is July 31.