Whether the Income Tax department did pan out a deliberate delay in summoning defaulters, or the evaders did manage a successful evasion for 10 years, remains to be seen. Late last weekend, a number of companies and individuals were served notices of IT raids dated 2018. Offenders were directed to file returns from a 6 to 10-year period.
However, the accused have put into action their legal counsel and are now questioning the dated notice as well as the fact that usually a three to seven days period is given to respond to such notices. This time, the window given was barely 12 hours. “These notices have been issued from Central Circle,” stated an IT insider on anonymity. He added that defaulters have been charged under Section 153 (C).
So what makes the cases come to light again? Perhaps, the December-2021 timeframe to close pending cases is being viewed as the cause. If parties fail to comply, their case will be re-assessed and tax liability will be fixed. However, as a financial expert explains, taxpayers cannot be troubled because of “haphazard assessment. Defaulters must be brought to account but accruing the amount only helps them file for bankruptcy and hence evade taxes.”
When contacted, Principal Chief Commissioner, attributed the backlog to some problem in the computer database. “The aggrieved are free to contact me. However, those served a notice must reply within the deadline failing which, the case will proceed,” he cautioned.
