TaxSavvy for refund adjusted against old demand

Refund adjusted against an old demand? Object now.

We check the old demand and reply so your refund is not swallowed.

If you wait: No reply in 30 days: the refund is set off against the demand (Sec 438, old 245)

How we get it done

Four steps, the same for every job. You see each one ticked.

  1. Information

    PAN. Notice, all pages, with DIN

  2. Discussion

    Is the old demand correct?. Already paid or under appeal?

  3. Forms

    Agree / disagree response with reasons. Rectification of old demand if wrong

  4. Deliverables

    Response acknowledgement. Note on what was adjusted

See what you get, free

Real formats, made with dummy data.

Questions, answered the CA way

Facts, Provisions and law, Analysis, Conclusion.

  • Section 270(1) (old 143(1)): Intimation and Demand
    Facts
    The most common IT notice, sent automatically by the CPC computer. Not a scrutiny notice. Not a raid. But if ignored or mishandled, the demand amount gets locked and interest begins. Most Sec 270(1), Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 143(1)) demands can be reduced to zero.
    Provisions and law
    Sec 270(1) (old 143(1)); Sec 270(2) (old 143(1)(a)); Sec 289 (old 156); Sec 154; Sec 263(5) (old 139(5))
    Analysis
    What triggers Sec 270(1) (old Sec 143(1)) demand: (1) AIS shows income not declared in ITR, most common. (2) TDS in Form 168 (old Form 26AS) not matching claimed TDS in ITR. (3) Deduction claimed exceeds limit. (4) Arithmetical mistake in ITR. (5) Carried-forward loss claimed without filing return in loss year. Three possible Sec 270(1) (old Sec 143(1)) outcomes: (A) Refund, CPC agrees with your return, issues refund. (B) No demand, no refund, CPC processing matches your return. (C) Demand, CPC finds discrepancy, raises a demand. Do NOT just pay the demand: Sec 270(1) (old Sec 143(1)) demands are often incorrect. In the most common case, FD interest in AIS that taxpayer forgot to declare, the demand is valid but the penalty is avoidable. In the second most common case, TDS credit mismatch due to PAN error by employer, demand is incorrect and should be rectified. Response options: (A) Agree, pay demand.
    Conclusion
    • Download Sec 270(1) (old Sec 143(1)) intimation PDF from IT portal, check exact demand amount and reason
    • Compare CPC's income computation vs your filed ITR line by line
    • Check AIS, identify which item CPC flagged as not declared
    • Check Form 168 (old Form 26AS) TDS credits vs TDS you claimed in ITR, any mismatch?
    Read the full answer
  • Section 270(8) (old 143(2)): Scrutiny Notice
    Facts
    This is NOT automated, a human officer has selected your return for detailed examination. Specific income, deduction, or transaction is under review. Must be responded to with documentary evidence within the timeline given.
    Provisions and law
    Sec 270(8) (old 143(2)); Sec 270(10) (old 143(3)); Sec 144; Faceless Assessment Scheme 2020; Sec 271(1)(c)
    Analysis
    Why your return was selected: (1) Large refund claim, officer verifies legitimacy. (2) High deductions claimed relative to income (e.g. Sec 123, Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 80C) of ₹1.5L on ₹3L income). (3) AIS shows transactions not declared (property purchase, large FD). (4) Specific issue risk profiling by IT department. (5) Information from third party (bank, registrar). Faceless assessment, how it works: Notice arrives on IT portal (also email). You respond online through IT portal → e-Proceedings → Response. Upload documents in PDF. No personal appearance. Officer is anonymous, from a different city. National Faceless Assessment Centre (NFAC) coordinates. What to submit: Depends on the specific query in the notice. Common documents: Bank statements, salary slips + Form 130 (old Form 16), investment proofs (ELSS receipts, PPF passbook), home loan certificate, rent receipts, capital gains statement, property registration documents.
    Conclusion
    • Login to IT portal → e-Proceedings → View notices (Sec 270(8) (old Sec 143(2)) notice visible)
    • Read notice carefully, identify exactly which item / transaction is under scrutiny
    • Note response deadline from notice, calendar the date immediately
    • Gather all documents related to the queried item (not your entire file)
    Read the full answer
  • Section 245 (now 438): Refund adjustment without notice (what to do)
    Facts
    Sec 245 (now Sec 438, Income-tax Act 2025) allows the IT department to adjust your pending refund against an outstanding demand from a previous year, without first getting your consent, but after giving you prior intimation.
    Provisions and law
    IT Act 1961, Sec 245 (now 438) | Time limit: prior intimation required
    Analysis
    Common scenario: AY 2024-25 refund of ₹50,000 is due. But there's an old 143(1) demand from AY 2021-22 for ₹30,000 that was never addressed. The department issues 245 notice saying they'll adjust ₹30,000 from your refund. You get ₹20,000 instead of ₹50,000. Action: You have 30 days to respond agreeing or objecting to the adjustment. If the old demand was wrong, file 154 rectification simultaneously and respond to 245 objecting to adjustment until rectification is settled.
    Read the full answer
  • Loss harvesting at HNI scale: setting off lakhs in capital gains
    Facts
    Rules for loss set-off: • LTCG on equity can only be set off against LTCG on equity • STCG on equity can be set off against any capital gains • Capital losses can be carried forward 8 years • Capital losses cannot be set off against ordinary income.
    Provisions and law
    IT Act, Sec 108, 109, 111 (old 70, 71, 74; set-off and carry forward)
    Analysis
    HNI strategy: If your portfolio has unrealised losses in any position, harvest them before March 31 by selling and repurchasing after 30 days. These losses reduce your capital gains tax. Example: ₹50L LTCG on equity. ₹15L unrealised STCG loss in another position. Harvest the loss → net LTCG = ₹35L → tax = ₹43,750 (12.5% of ₹35L above ₹1.25L exempt) vs ₹59,375 without harvesting. Saving: ₹15,625 per ₹15L harvested.
    Read the full answer

Refund adjusted against an old demand? Object now.

A Chartered Accountant handles it. Fixed price, told before you pay.

Get it done on WhatsApp
₹2,4993 daysGet it done