ITR
Checking whether an income tax summons is genuine
Updated . Every paid answer is checked by a CA. Free AI answers are labelled until a CA verifies them.
Facts
Every genuine communication from the Income Tax Department must carry a computer-generated Document Identification Number (DIN). You can check it on the e-Filing portal using the Authenticate notice or order issued by ITD service.
Provisions and law
- CBDT Circular No. 19 of 2019 (Document Identification Number)Every communication from the department must carry a computer generated DIN; one without it is treated as never issued
- Sec 131, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 246, Income-tax Act 2025)Officers have civil court powers to summon, examine on oath and call for books and documents
Analysis
CBDT Circular 19/2019 says a communication without a valid DIN is treated as never issued, except in narrow recorded cases. Example: an email asks you to appear with documents and pay ₹50,000 on a link to settle the matter; there is no DIN and the sender domain is not official. That is a scam. Genuine summons never ask for payment through a link.
Conclusion
- Find the DIN on the summons
- Go to e-Filing portal > Authenticate notice/order issued by ITD
- Enter the DIN or PAN with the details asked
- If it is not found, do not respond to the sender
- Report the fake email through the portal's reporting channels
A Savvy can do this for you
Summons, Sec 131 (now 246)
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