How to File a Revised Return After Receiving a Scrutiny Notice
- Dipali Waghmode
- Aug 1
- 8 min read
Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) accurately is essential to avoid penalties and ensure a smooth tax filing process. However, there are times when mistakes happen, or additional information comes to light after you've already filed your return. In such cases, the Income Tax Act allows taxpayers to file a revised return, even after receiving a scrutiny notice from the tax authorities. A scrutiny notice is issued when the tax department wants to review your return in greater detail to verify the information provided. This can happen for various reasons, including discrepancies in your ITR or if the tax authorities suspect that there may be an underreporting of income or overstatement of deductions. If you receive a scrutiny notice after filing your return, you may be wondering whether you can still file a revised return.
Table of Contents
Can You File a Revised Return After Receiving a Scrutiny Notice?
Yes, you can file a revised return even after receiving a scrutiny notice. The Income Tax Act allows you to amend your original ITR if any mistakes, omissions, or incorrect entries were made, or if you realize you missed any important documents or deductions. However, there are certain rules and timelines to follow when filing a revised return after a scrutiny notice.
Under Section 139(5) of the Income Tax Act, a taxpayer can file a revised return at any time before the end of the relevant assessment year. This means that even after a scrutiny notice is issued, you can still correct the errors in your return, provided the timeline for filing a revised return has not yet expired. If the scrutiny assessment is already completed, you can still amend the return, but the revised return will be subject to the tax department's approval.
It is important to note that while filing a revised return is allowed, it should be done as quickly as possible, especially after receiving a scrutiny notice. Delays in filing the revised return could lead to further complications or penalties, particularly if the original return had significant discrepancies.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Revised Return
Filing a revised return requires you to follow a systematic process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Login to the Income Tax Portal: Visit the official Income Tax Department website (incometax.gov.in) and log in with your credentials (PAN and password).
Select the ITR Form: Choose the correct ITR form based on your income sources and category. You can only file a revised return using the same form that you originally filed.
Click on ‘Revised Return’ Option: After selecting the appropriate ITR form, choose the "Revised Return" option. This option allows you to modify your previously filed return.
Enter the Acknowledgment Number of the Original Return: In this step, you need to provide the acknowledgment number of the original return. This helps the system link your revised return with the initial filing.
Make the Necessary Changes: You can now make the necessary corrections to the filed return. For example, if you missed reporting income or claiming deductions, update those fields accordingly.
Submit the Revised Return: After making the necessary corrections, review the return to ensure it is accurate. Submit the revised return electronically through the portal.
Verification: After submitting, you will need to verify the revised return. You can do this using either an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) or by sending a signed physical copy of the ITR-V to the Income Tax Department.
Acknowledgment: Once the revised return is successfully filed and verified, you will receive an acknowledgment from the tax department confirming that your revised return has been submitted.
Important Considerations and Deadlines
When filing a revised return, it’s crucial to be aware of the following important considerations:
Revised Return Deadline: You can file a revised return anytime before the end of the relevant assessment year. For example, for FY 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26), you can file a revised return up until March 31, 2026. However, it’s always best to file the revised return as soon as possible to avoid any delays or complications.
No Changes to Tax Liabilities: If your revised return results in an increase in tax liability, you will need to pay the additional taxes along with any applicable interest (under Section 234A, 234B, and 234C) for late payment.
Impact of Scrutiny: If your return is under scrutiny, the revised return will be closely reviewed by the tax department. If the revision is substantial or seems to indicate intentional misreporting, it may lead to further investigation or scrutiny.
Interest and Penalty: While revising your return is allowed, if the revised return leads to an increase in your tax liability, the tax department may impose interest and penalties for underreporting taxes. Filing a revised return promptly can help minimize penalties.
How to Deal with Mistakes After the Scrutiny Assessment is Completed
If the scrutiny assessment has already been completed and you discover mistakes in your filed return, you still have options to address them. You can file a revised return under Section 139(5) as long as the deadline for filing a revised return has not passed. However, if the assessment is already finalized, the revised return will be reviewed by the tax authorities, and you may be required to provide additional explanations or supporting documents.
In some cases, the tax authorities may accept the revised return and make adjustments, while in others, they may initiate further scrutiny if they believe the corrections indicate an issue. It is essential to address such issues as soon as possible to avoid legal complications.
TaxBuddy: A Simplified Solution for Your Tax Filing Needs
For taxpayers dealing with revisions, TaxBuddy offers an easy, streamlined solution. With TaxBuddy, you can easily file your revised return and ensure that it meets all the necessary compliance requirements. Whether you're dealing with a simple mistake or a more complex issue that requires detailed amendments, TaxBuddy’s expert-assisted plans make the process seamless and stress-free. With step-by-step guidance, automatic error checks, and professional support, TaxBuddy ensures your tax filing experience is accurate and efficient, even after receiving a scrutiny notice.
Conclusion
Filing a revised return after a scrutiny notice is an important option for taxpayers to correct mistakes and avoid potential penalties. However, it’s essential to understand the process, the deadlines, and the potential consequences of late filing. By filing promptly and accurately, you can resolve discrepancies, minimize penalties, and maintain your compliance with tax laws. TaxBuddy provides a hassle-free way to file revised returns, ensuring you meet all the legal requirements and submit an error-free return. For anyone looking for assistance in tax filing, it is highly recommended to download theTaxBuddy mobile appfor a simplified, secure, and hassle-free experience.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Q1: Can I file a revised return after the assessment is completed?
Yes, you can file a revised return even after the assessment is completed, as long as the assessment year is still open and the revised return deadline has not passed. The Income Tax Department allows revisions to your return if any errors or omissions are found after the initial filing. For instance, if the original return was filed without including certain income or deductions, a revised return can be filed before the assessment year concludes, which is typically the end of March for a given financial year.
Q2: What happens if I don’t file a revised return after discovering an error?
If you fail to file a revised return after discovering an error in your initial ITR, you could face penalties or interest charges on unpaid taxes. Additionally, the tax authorities may initiate further scrutiny, and your return may be flagged for audit. Not filing a revised return might also result in the incorrect tax computation remaining on record, which could impact your future filings or refund processing.
Q3: How long do I have to file a revised return?
You can file a revised return within the specified time frame, which is typically before the end of the assessment year. For the Financial Year 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26), the revised return can be filed until March 31, 2026. If you miss this deadline, you will no longer be able to amend the return, and any discrepancies could lead to penalties or delayed refunds.
Q4: Does filing a revised return affect my tax refund?
Yes, filing a revised return can affect your tax refund. If the revised return results in a higher tax liability, the processing of your refund will be delayed while the tax department verifies the new details. In cases where the revised return shows a lower tax liability or additional refund, the refund processing may take longer as the system updates the refund amount based on the amended data.
Q5: Can TaxBuddy help me with filing a revised return?
Yes, TaxBuddy can help you file a revised return. TaxBuddy offers both self-filing tools and expert-assisted services to guide you through the process of revising your return. Whether you're confident handling the revision yourself or need expert assistance, TaxBuddy provides a seamless experience to ensure that your revised return is filed accurately and in compliance with tax regulations.
Q6: Will I be penalized for filing a revised return?
You may face penalties if the revised return results in a higher tax liability or if it is filed after the due date. However, if the revised return is filed within the stipulated time frame (before the assessment year ends), the penalties can be minimized. Filing a revised return promptly and correcting errors can help reduce the likelihood of penalties being levied by the tax authorities.
Q7: How do I know if I need to file a revised return?
You should file a revised return if you discover that your original return contains any errors or omissions. Common reasons for filing a revised return include missing income details, incorrect deductions, or errors in TDS credits. If you receive updated or revised information that was not included in the original return, it is advisable to file a revision to ensure that your tax records are accurate and complete.
Q8: Can I file a revised return even if I have already received a scrutiny notice?
Yes, you can file a revised return even if you have already received a scrutiny notice from the tax department. However, it must be filed within the allowed time frame, which is before the end of the assessment year. A revised return can provide an opportunity to correct any mistakes or clarify discrepancies before the scrutiny is completed, potentially helping to avoid further issues.
Q9: How do I verify a revised return?
A revised return can be verified using an Electronic Verification Code (EVC) or by sending a signed copy of the ITR-V (Income Tax Return Verification) form to the Income Tax Department. The verification process ensures that the tax department acknowledges your return, and without verification, your return will be treated as invalid. TaxBuddy helps streamline this process, offering EVC-based verification for quick confirmation.
Q10: What is the deadline for filing a revised return?
The deadline for filing a revised return is the end of the assessment year. For the Financial Year 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26), this means the revised return must be filed before March 31, 2026. Missing this deadline will prevent you from submitting a revision and correcting any errors in your original filing.
Q11: How does TaxBuddy assist in filing a revised return?
TaxBuddy simplifies the process of filing a revised return by providing a user-friendly platform for self-filing, along with the option for expert assistance. TaxBuddy’s experts help ensure that your revised return is filed correctly, taking care of any necessary calculations, documentation, and verification steps. The platform also helps identify any discrepancies in the original return and ensures you are fully compliant with tax laws.
Q12: Can I make changes to my tax liability in a revised return?
Yes, a revised return allows you to make changes to your tax liability. If the original return included errors such as underreported income or incorrect deductions, the revised return can reflect the correct tax liability. This correction could either result in additional taxes owed or a refund due, depending on the changes made. Filing a revised return ensures that your tax records are accurate and up-to-date, preventing future complications.
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