Fact-check notes
Last fact-checked: 2026-05-26
Transition rule: AY 2026-27 covers FY 2025-26 and continues under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The Income-tax Act 2025 Tax Year terminology applies for income earned from 1 April 2026 onward.
This page is written from official portal guidance and the supplied Batch 11 brief. Any future-dated form, rule or portal workflow should be verified in the active utility before filing or advising a client.
What this covers
Official transition FAQs state that Tax Year replaces the old Previous Year concept from income earned during FY 2026-27 onward. AY 2026-27 returns for FY 2025-26 still use the 1961 Act.
- Previous Year 2025-26 maps to AY 2026-27 under the old system.
- Tax Year 2026-27 means income earned from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
- Filing still happens after the income year ends.
Who this is for
- Taxpayer confused by portal labels.
- CA explaining new Act migration.
- Employer preparing payroll communication.
- Business mapping TDS certificates.
Documents and data to verify
- Income year.
- Assessment year.
- Return utility selected.
- Notice or form date.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling AY 2026-27 a new Act return.
- Using Tax Year 2026-27 for FY 2025-26 income.
- Ignoring old Act for appeals/reassessment of earlier years.
- Mixing old and new section numbers in one filing.
How to proceed
- Confirm the applicable year, taxpayer type, state, registration status and portal form before acting.
- Reconcile the official portal data with books, bank statements, certificates, invoices and notices.
- Prepare a written computation, filing note, document checklist or response with assumptions clearly stated.
- Download acknowledgements, challans, workings and evidence after filing or submission.
FAQs
Can WorkIndex help with this?
Yes. Post the facts and documents; relevant experts can quote for filing, advisory, reconciliation, registration, appeal support or ongoing compliance.
Is the page a substitute for professional advice?
No. Use it to prepare. A professional should check the current portal utility, official source and records before filing or taking a tax position.
What should I mention while posting?
Mention the year, state, form, deadline, amount involved, documents available, portal status and whether you need filing, correction, opinion or representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the significance of Tax Year vs Assessment Year in tax reassessment and scrutiny notices?
Under the Income Tax Act, Tax Year vs Assessment Year often relates to scrutiny assessments or reassessment proceedings. If a notice is received, taxpayers must reconcile their filed ITRs and AIS records immediately.
2. How should a taxpayer respond to a notice regarding Tax Year vs Assessment Year?
For notices involving Tax Year vs Assessment Year, a detailed reply along with supporting documents (bank statements, computations) must be submitted online on the e-filing portal within the specified timeline (usually 15-30 days).
3. What is the time limit for responding to a Section 148A notice?
A taxpayer must submit a detailed reply to the show-cause notice within the time limit specified by the Assessing Officer, which is usually not less than 7 days and not more than 30 days from the date of issue.
4. What is the new time limit for reopening tax assessments?
The standard time limit for reopening assessments is 3 years from the end of the relevant assessment year. It can be extended up to 5 years (previously 10 years) only if the Assessing Officer has evidence that income escaping assessment exceeds ₹50 lakh.
5. What happens if I ignore an Income Tax notice?
Ignoring a notice will lead the Assessing Officer to pass an ex-parte order under Section 144 (Best Judgment Assessment) or Section 148A(d) based on available SFT records, which often results in heavy tax demands, interest u/s 234A/B, and penalties.
6. What is a DIN in tax notices, and why is it mandatory?
DIN stands for Document Identification Number. Every official communication from the Income Tax Department must carry a unique, system-generated DIN. Any notice issued without a DIN is legally invalid.
7. Can a tax assessment be reopened after the audit has been completed?
Yes, if the Assessing Officer has 'information' suggesting income has escaped assessment, they can initiate reassessment u/s 147 even after standard scrutiny under Section 143(3) was completed, subject to time limits.
8. What are the common grounds for issuing a reassessment notice?
Common grounds include mismatches between filed ITR and SFT data (like high-value cash deposits, property transactions, share trading, or foreign remittances shown in AIS), undisclosed capital gains, or foreign asset omissions.
9. Can I file an Updated Return (ITR-U) after receiving a Section 148 notice?
No. Once a notice for assessment, reassessment, or search/seizure is issued for a financial year, you are barred from filing an Updated Return (ITR-U) under Section 139(8A) for that year.
10. What is a Section 143(1) intimation notice?
An intimation u/s 143(1) is an automated processing letter showing whether your filed ITR calculations match the tax department's database. It is not a reassessment notice, but can contain tax demands or refund adjustments.
11. What is a Section 143(2) notice?
A notice u/s 143(2) is issued to select an ITR for detailed scrutiny. It requires the taxpayer to submit supporting evidence for claims, deductions, and income heads before an assessment order u/s 143(3) is passed.
12. What is Section 154 rectification?
Section 154 allows rectifying apparent mistakes in orders or intimations (like incorrect TDS credit, mathematical errors). It cannot be used to introduce new deduction claims or dispute legal interpretations.
13. How do I check notice status on the e-filing portal?
Log in to the income tax portal, go to 'Pending Actions' > 'e-Proceedings', where all active notices, show-cause letters, and response forms are listed.
14. Can I challenge a Section 148 reassessment notice in court?
Yes. If the procedural requirements (like not issuing a 148A notice, not providing sufficient time, or not obtaining prior higher authority approval) are violated, the taxpayer can file a writ petition in the High Court.
15. What is the penalty for underreporting or misreporting income?
Under Section 270A, the penalty for underreporting income is 50% of the tax payable, which rises to 200% of the tax payable if the underreporting is due to misreporting (undisclosed sources, fake invoices, etc.).