Intimations under section is usually received by an assessee within a few months of filing return. It compares the data filed by the assessee with the data processed by the Income Tax Department. The common mismatches that occur in this intimation are: -

• Mismatch of TDS/ TCS
• Mismatch in Deductions
• Mismatch in brought forward losses
• Mismatch in depreciation
• Minimum Alternate Tax (for Companies)

Notice under 142(1) can be sent by the Assessing Officer in the following 2 cases: -

1. Where return has not been filed, the Assessing Officer may direct the assessee to file a return
2. Where return has been filed, the Assessing Officer may call for information/ explanation/ copies of books of accounts etc.

On receipt of such a notice, the assessee needs to comply with the instructions given in the notice.

A notice under section 143(2) may be received within 6 months from the end of the financial year in which return in furnished. This notice is sent to those who are selected for scrutiny. Usually the selection takes place randomly on the basis of certain parameters. Scrutiny is done to ascertain whether the assessee has correctly shown his income in the return. Usually a scrutiny notice is followed by notice under section 142(1) wherein various information and documents are asked for.

This notice is given to conduct best judgement assessment. This is done when the assessee has not filed return or has not complied with notices under section 142(1) and 143(2) or not complied with direction for special audit.

The Assessing Officer may serve this notice if he has reasons to believe that any income of the assessee has escaped assessment. For example, if the Assessing Officer finds out that an assessee is earning income from a certain business which is not disclosed in his return of income, the Assessing Officer will issue a notice under section 148 to the assessee. On receipt of the notice, the assessee is required to file a fresh return of income for the financial year pertaining to such notice.

This notice is issued after a search has taken place in the premises of the assessee. This is a very stringent notice which opens assessment for several preceding years ranging from 6 years to 10 years depending on the circumstances of the case. The assessee is required to file returns for all the assessment years as mentioned in such notice.

This is an intimation sent by the Income Tax Department to inform the assessee that certain adjustments have taken place in respect of the demand/ refund relating to an assessment year. Where the assessee does not agree with the adjustment, he must disclose the same in the income tax portal.

This is issued when after assessment is completed and penalty is levied due to concealment/ misreporting/ under-reporting of income or due to any other reason.

Notice of summon under section 131 is sent to enforce attendance of any person and examine him on oath. It may also be used to compel production of books of account and documents.

The Assessing Officer or the CIT(Appeals) sends this notice when it requires any person to furnish information or furnish statement of accounts giving information which will be useful for any inquiry or proceedings under the Act. Usually this notice is sent to debtors/ creditors/ lenders of the assessee under scrutiny/ investigation.

This notice is sent by the Income Tax Department for the purpose of verification of information in its possession relating to any person. The notice is sent to such person requiring him to furnish information/ documents relevant for any inquiry or proceeding under the Income Tax Act.