Fact-check notes
Last fact-checked: 2026-06-04
Income-tax, TDS, advance tax, deduction and notice positions should be verified against the active assessment year, e-filing utility, AIS/Form 26AS, TRACES data and current circulars before filing.
This page is preparation guidance. Ask the expert to verify active law, portal forms, notifications and your documents before filing, signing or paying.
What affects pricing
TDS Return Filing cost in India depends on scope, documents, urgency, compliance backlog, city, professional experience and whether government fees or portal charges are included.
- Simple filing or review costs less than cleanup, correction, notice reply, audit or representation.
- Government fees, additional fees, stamp duty, DSC, challans and third-party charges should be separated from professional fees.
- Poor records, backlog and urgent deadlines increase effort.
- Ask for deliverables, revisions, filing proof and post-filing support in the quote.
Quote comparison checklist
| Cost driver | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Scope | Filing only, review, correction, notice or audit? |
| Fees | Professional fee vs government/portal charges? |
| Records | Is cleanup included? |
Who this is for
- User comparing expert quotes.
- Founder budgeting annual compliance.
- Taxpayer estimating filing or notice cost.
- Business deciding between one-time and recurring support.
Documents and details to prepare
- Entity type and city.
- Scope and expected deliverable.
- Backlog, notices and portal status.
- Documents available and deadline.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing only the lowest quote.
- Not separating government and professional fees.
- Ignoring cleanup effort.
- No written deliverable list.
How to brief the expert
- Describe the exact scope and current status.
- Ask for fee breakup and exclusions.
- Compare experience and turnaround time.
- Confirm final deliverables before paying.
FAQs
Why do tds return filing fees vary?
Fees vary because record quality, complexity, deadline, city, risk and deliverables vary.
Are government fees included?
Not always. Ask for a separate breakup of government fee, professional fee and taxes.
Can WorkIndex get multiple quotes?
Yes. Post your requirement once and compare relevant expert quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the significance of TDS Return Filing Cost in India in tax reassessment and scrutiny notices?
Under the Income Tax Act, TDS Return Filing Cost in India 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 TDS Return Filing Cost in India?
For notices involving TDS Return Filing Cost in India, 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.).