Received an Income Tax Notice? The First 5 Things to Check

1. Confirm it's genuine

Phishing attempts that mimic tax department communication are common. Genuine notices are visible in your account on the official income tax e-filing portal — if a notice arrives only by email or SMS with a link, verify it against your portal account before clicking anything or sharing any information.

2. Identify the notice type and the section it's issued under

Not all notices are equally serious. Some are routine — an intimation confirming your return was processed, or a request for a minor clarification. Others — a scrutiny assessment notice, or a notice proposing to reopen a past assessment — need a considered, well-documented response. Identifying exactly which type you've received determines how urgently and how thoroughly you need to act.

3. Note the response deadline

Every notice specifies a timeframe to respond. Missing it can mean losing the chance to explain your position before an order is passed, or facing an ex-parte (one-sided) assessment. Mark the deadline immediately and work backward from it.

4. Gather the relevant documents before you respond

Depending on the notice, this might mean bank statements, investment proofs, TDS certificates (Form 16/16A), invoices, or prior years' returns. Assembling a complete, organised set of supporting documents before drafting your reply makes for a much stronger submission than responding piecemeal.

5. Don't ignore it, and don't guess

The most common way a small, resolvable issue turns into a larger problem is simply not responding, or responding with an answer that isn't properly supported. If the notice involves anything beyond a straightforward, low-value clarification, it's worth having it reviewed by a professional before you reply — the cost of a considered response is almost always lower than the cost of a mishandled one.

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