?Notice for assessment or reassessment U/S 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961
The power of assessment or reassessment of any income chargeable to tax that have escaped assessment has been provided under section 147 r w s 148 of Income Tax Act of 1961. If the assessing officer has the reason to believe that any income chargeable to tax has escaped assessment then the assessing officer may subject to the provisions of section 147 to 153 assess or reassess such income.
What is reason to believe: Before issuing any notice U/S 148 the assessing officer must have reason to believe that any income chargeable to tax has escaped assessment. Reason to believe can not be a reason to suspect merely. There must be a direct nexus between the material coming to the notice of the assessing officer and the formation of the belief that there has been escapement of income of the assessee from assessment in a particular year. The material for formation of belief must be relevant and not vague. The assessing officer must record reasons in writing before issuing notice u/s 148. Mere a reason recorded that “there is a huge concealment of income’ or ‘For further investigation’ without any specific instance of entries or material relevant to the assessee will not constitute a valid reason as it is vague and general in nature.
Who can issue notice U/s 148: Section 151(1) provides that in a case where an assessment under sub-section (3) of section 143 or 147 has been made for the relevant assessment year, no notice shall be issued under section 148 by an Assessing Officer, who is below the rank of Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, unless the Joint Commissioner is satisfied on the reasons recorded by such Assessing Officer that it is a fit case for the issue of such notice] :
Provided that, after the expiry of four years from the end of the relevant assessment year, no such notice shall be issued unless the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner is satisfied, on the reasons recorded by the Assessing Officer aforesaid, that it is a fit case for the issue of such notice.
In a case other than a case falling under sub-section (1) of section 151, no notice shall be issued under section 148 by an Assessing Officer, who is below the rank of Joint Commissioner, after the expiry of four years from the end of the relevant assessment year, unless the Joint Commissioner is satisfied, on the reasons recorded by such Assessing Officer, that it is a fit case for the issue of such notice.
What to do when notice u/s 148 is received: when a notice u/s 148 is received the assessee is asked to file a return of the relevant assessment year. After filling the return the assessee should ask for the copy of reasons recorded for issue of notice u/s 148 and can file objection to the issuance of notice. The assessee should ask specifically assessing officer to pass a speaking order by disposing off the objections?.
Penalty
Wilful failure to furnish returns of fringe benefits under section 115WD/115WH or return of income under section 139(1) or in response to notice under section 142(1)(i) or section 148 or section 153A (non-cognizable offence under section 279A)—
(a) where tax sought to be evaded exceeds Rs. 1 lakh (Rs. 25 lakh w.e.f. 1-7-2012)6 months to 7 years
Penalty amount- No limit
(b) in other cases 3 months to 3 years (2 years w.e.f. 1-7-2012) Penalty amount - No limit -
? Our professional fees in this matter will be Rs. 25000/-
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