Check ITR for discrepancies before responding to notice from tax dept

Respond on time, with expert help if required, to prevent further punitive measures

An income-tax (I-T) notice, which is essentially a written communication sent by the I-T Department to a taxpayer alerting him about an issue with his tax account, usually causes panic. Taxpayers should calmly examine the notice and send a timely response to it, with expert help if required.

Notice versus intimation

A notice is different from an intimation. Sandeep Bajaj, managing partner, PSL Advocates & Solicitors, says, “An intimation may not always require action on the assessee’s part. He may just be required to take note of the matter.”

A notice, on the other hand, requires the assessee to either