ITR
Checking whether a demand notice is genuine
Updated . Every paid answer is checked by a CA. Free AI answers are labelled until a CA verifies them.
Facts
Genuine demands appear on your e-Filing account under Pending Actions, Response to Outstanding Demand, and notices from the officer carry a Document Identification Number (DIN). You can check any notice yourself by logging in.
Provisions and law
- Sec 156, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 289)When tax, interest, penalty or other sum is payable after an order, the officer serves a notice of demand.
Analysis
If a message asks you to pay into a personal bank account or by gift card, it is fake. Real payment always goes through the e-Pay Tax service or authorised banks, with a challan in your PAN. Match the DRN, the assessment year and the amount with the portal. If nothing is on the portal, do not pay.
Conclusion
- Log in to the e-Filing portal yourself.
- Open Pending Actions and check the demand and notices.
- Check the DIN on any letter against the portal.
- Pay only through e-Pay Tax with a challan in your PAN.
- Report suspicious messages and do not share OTPs.
A Savvy can do this for you
Notice of demand, Sec 156 (now 289)
₹4,999
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