Read the section and deadline first
Notices can be intimation, demand, defect, mismatch, scrutiny or information requests. The right response depends on notice section, assessment year, due date, portal action required and supporting evidence.
Situations this page is built for
- You received intimation with demand or reduced refund.
- Return is marked defective and needs correction.
- AIS/Form 26AS mismatch is questioned.
- Notice asks for source of income, investment or transaction.
- You need help drafting and uploading a response on the portal.
Documents and details usually required
- Full notice PDF with DIN and assessment year.
- Filed ITR acknowledgement and computation.
- AIS, TIS and Form 26AS.
- Bank statements and investment proofs.
- Salary, business, capital gain or rent documents.
- Previous correspondence and payment challans.
Practical process before hiring
Classify the notice
Identify whether it is intimation, defect, demand, mismatch, scrutiny or penalty-related communication.
Build factual reply
Prepare a point-wise response with documents rather than a generic explanation.
Check tax impact
Compute whether demand is valid, partly valid or incorrect due to credit/data mismatch.
Submit and track
Upload response on the correct portal section and monitor acknowledgement or next action.
What to expect in India
| Work type | Typical price range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Simple intimation/demand review | Rs. 1,500 - Rs. 5,000 | 1-3 days |
| Defective return / mismatch response | Rs. 3,000 - Rs. 10,000 | 2-5 days |
| Scrutiny or detailed notice support | Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 50,000+ | Case-specific |
Prices vary by documents, urgency, city, professional experience and whether previous periods need cleanup.
Common red flags and mistakes
- Responding without checking assessment year and notice section.
- Paying demand without verifying TDS and challan credits.
- Missing the response deadline.
- Uploading incomplete bank statements or unrelated files.
- Treating scrutiny notice like a simple email query.
What to mention when you post
- Assessment year, income type and exact problem you are trying to solve.
- Whether the return is not filed, already filed, defective, revised or under notice.
- Any due date, notice date, demand amount or refund issue.
- Whether Form 16, AIS/TIS, Form 26AS, bank statements and capital gain reports are ready.
- If urgent, mention the deadline and what response has already been submitted.
How to choose the right professional
- Choose a professional who asks for AIS, Form 26AS and supporting documents before giving final advice.
- For notices, check experience with portal replies and section-wise responses.
- Ask for clear fee breakup for review, computation, filing and notice support.
- Avoid anyone promising a refund without checking records.
- Keep all workings and acknowledgements after the engagement.
Questions people ask before hiring
Can I reply to an income tax notice myself?
For simple intimations, yes. For mismatch, defect, demand or scrutiny, expert review reduces risk.
What if the notice demand is wrong?
You can disagree with reasons and documents if the portal route allows it. The tax position should be backed by computation and evidence.
How fast should I act?
Act immediately. Notices usually specify a response date and late action can create avoidable complications.
Will WorkIndex reply directly?
WorkIndex helps you compare experts. The selected professional can guide or handle the reply based on your documents.
Last fact-checked: 25 May 2026
Tax positions on this page should be checked against official portal instructions, CBDT notifications, the supplied Act PDF and ICAI material for the exact year before filing.