Authority Empowered to Authorise Search Introduction Section 132 of the Income-tax Act empowers specified income-tax authorities to authorise and conduct search operations for detecting undisclosed income and seizing related assets. These powers may be exercised by jurisdictional authorities and, in specified circumstances, by non-jurisdictional authorities. The Act also provides for search of places not mentioned in… Read More »
Search and Seizure AY 2026-27 Introduction The Income-tax Act empowers authorised officers to conduct search and seizure operations to detect undisclosed income or assets. These powers include entering and searching premises, seizing books of account and assets, issuing restraint orders, and recording statements, subject to statutory conditions and procedural safeguards. Legal presumptions apply in respect… Read More »
E-Advance Rulings Scheme The Finance Act, 2021 replaced the Authority for Advance Rulings with the Board for Advance Rulings (BAR) and empowered the Central Government to establish a faceless mechanism for advance rulings. Accordingly, the e-Advance Rulings Scheme, 2022, was notified on 18-01-2022 to process applications digitally and ensure efficiency and transparency. Application Procedure Applications… Read More »
Advance Ruling under Income Tax An Advance Ruling is a decision by the Board for Advance Rulings (BAR) on the tax implications of a transaction or arrangement. The main objective of an advance ruling is to provide clarity and certainty regarding the tax treatment of a transaction, thereby helping to avoid future disputes with the… Read More »
Income-tax Authorities AY 2026-27 Introduction The Central Government is empowered to appoint various Income-tax authorities and delegate powers to them under the Income-tax Act. These authorities shall exercise all or any of the powers conferred on them and perform all or any of the functions assigned to them by or under the Income-tax Act. Hierarchy… Read More »
Evolution of Faceless Proceedings Faceless proceedings have evolved as part of the Department’s e-Governance efforts: Email-based Assessment (2015): Introduced on a pilot basis in select cities, using email as a medium for assessment. E-Proceedings: Enabled online communication between taxpayers and the Department through the e-filing portal. E-Assessment Scheme, 2019: Notified under Section 143(3A)-(3C) pursuant to… Read More »
Levy of Interest and Penalty in Block Assessment Introduction Sections 158BF and 158BFA govern the levy of interest and penalty in block assessments under Chapter XIV-B. Section 158BF provides immunity from the levy of specified interest and penalty for undisclosed income assessed for the block period, while Section 158BFA empowers authorities to levy interest and penalty in defined circumstances and prescribes procedural… Read More »
Extension of the Haryana Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2022 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-07052026-272301 EXTRAORDINARY PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 2173] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026/VAISAKHA 16, 1948 MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 6th May, 2026 S.O. 2264(E). ―In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 87… Read More »
Limitation Period for the Completion of Block Assessment Introduction Section 158BE prescribes the time limits for completing a block assessment. The assessment must be completed within a specified period from the end of the quarter in which the last authorisation for a search under Section 132 or a requisition under Section 132A was executed or made. Primary limitation period The… Read More »
Assessment of Undisclosed Income of Any Other Person Introduction Section 158BD governs cases where undisclosed income detected during a search under Section 132 or requisition under Section 132A pertains to a person other than the person searched (specified person). In such situations, the Assessing Officer (AO) who conducted the search must transfer the seized or requisitioned material and related information… Read More »