Key highlights
- Most “notices” are really system prompts: mismatch checks, missing info, or a request to confirm data—not an accusation. Income Tax India+1
- Your safest move is to respond inside the Income Tax e-filing portal (e-Proceeding) and keep an audit trail (acknowledgements + PDFs). Income Tax Department+1
- Ignore = escalation risk (best case: adjustments; worst case: deeper scrutiny). The law’s notice/intimation framework is published on India Code. India Code+1
Why you receive an income-tax notice (the real triggers)
- Mismatch between ITR and what the system sees (TDS/TCS, interest, salary, etc.).
- Defective return / missing schedules (common for new filers and small business ITRs).
- Verification / confirmation after processing (intimations like 143(1) are part of routine processing). Income Tax India+1
What to do first (a clean, low-risk checklist)
- Step 1: Open the notice in the portal (don’t rely on forwarded screenshots). Use the e-Proceeding/response workflow. Income Tax Department+1
- Step 2: Identify the type: intimation vs notice; section mentioned; response deadline. The legal text is on India Code. India Code+1
- Step 3: Gather proof: Form 16/16A, bank interest certificates, GST/turnover summary (if applicable), and a short reconciliation note.
- Step 4: Respond in writing + upload documents in the portal so your response is time-stamped. Income Tax Department+1
Small questions people actually search
“Is a notice always bad?”
No. Many are automated checks during processing. 143(1) processing/intimation is part of the framework. Income Tax India+1
“Can I reply without visiting the office?”
In many cases, yes—through e-Proceeding on the e-filing portal. Income Tax Department+1
“What if I miss the deadline?”
That’s when it gets expensive (time, stress, potential demand creation). Treat deadlines like bank EMIs: non-negotiable.
