Controlled disclosure of taxpayer information limited by a public interest test, with executive power to restrict access and final administrative decisions.
Clause 258 authorises income tax authorities to disclose information obtained in the discharge of their functions to other tax, duty, cess, or foreign exchange authorities and to notified bodies, constrained by necessity and a public interest limitation; it allows private parties to apply for information subject to satisfaction of senior tax officials and renders disclosure decisions final and non justiciable, while empowering the Central Government by notification to restrict furnishing of information for specified classes of assessees or authorities.