Answer

1. F

   Facts

   A defective notice by itself carries no fee or penalty. The cost comes only if the defect stays unfixed and the return becomes invalid, or if fixing it shows more tax due.

2. P

   Provisions and law

   • Sec 139(9), Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 263(7), Income-tax Act 2025)The Assessing Officer can treat a return as defective, give 15 days (or more on request) to fix it, and treat it as invalid if not fixed.
   • Sec 234F, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 428, Income-tax Act 2025)Late filing fee where a return is not filed by the due date.
   • Sec 234A, Income-tax Act 1961 (now Sec 423, Income-tax Act 2025)Interest at 1% a month on unpaid tax for a late or missing return.
3. A

   Analysis

   If you fix the defect in time, your return keeps its original date, so no late fee arises from the notice. If the corrected return shows extra tax, you pay that tax with interest. If you do not fix it and later file a belated return, Sec 234F fee and Sec 234A interest can apply. So the cheapest outcome is a timely fix.

4. C

   Conclusion

   1. 1Fix the defect within the time.
   2. 2Pay any extra tax with interest before uploading.
   3. 3Keep the original filing acknowledgement as proof of the date.
   4. 4Watch for the intimation after processing.

General guidance from TaxSavvy’s library of money processes. Laws change; your Savvy confirms the answer on your exact case before anything is filed.