Password to Open an Income Tax Notice
Updated: May 22
Upon the successful submission of your Income Tax Return (ITR), the income tax department initiates the processing of the submitted return. Following this, an intimation is sent under section 143(1) of the Income Tax Act.. This correspondence serves as a notification regarding the completion of the processing, informing you about any outstanding tax liabilities or eligibility for a refund. In instances where the income tax department detects discrepancies or suspects fraudulent activities or misreporting of income in the ITR, it may issue a notice. Different types of notices are utilized for various purposes.
Table of Content
What is the Password for Opening an Income Tax Notice
Notices received from the income tax department are encrypted and protected with a password to safeguard sensitive taxpayer information. To open any income tax notice, enter your PAN number in lowercase, followed by your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.
For example, if your PAN number is ABCDE1234H and your date of birth is 6th Dec 1996, the password would be : abcde1234h06121996.
Circumstances when you can receive an income tax notice
Discrepancies in ITR: If there are inconsistencies or errors in the information provided in your Income Tax Return (ITR), the tax department may issue a notice to seek clarification or additional details.
Non-filing or Delayed Filing: If you fail to file your ITR within the specified deadline or there is a delay in filing, the tax department may issue a notice prompting you to comply with the filing requirements.
Scrutiny or Detailed Examination: The income tax department may select your return for scrutiny or detailed examination to ensure accuracy and compliance. In such cases, you could receive a notice requiring you to provide supporting documents.
Outstanding Tax Payments: If you have outstanding tax liabilities or dues, the tax department may issue a notice to prompt the payment of taxes, penalties, or fees.
Defective Return: If the assessing officer identifies defects in the return you have filed, a notice under section 139(9) may be issued, requiring you to rectify the issues.
Information Mismatch: If there is a mismatch between the information reported in your return and the data available to the tax department, you may receive a notice seeking clarification.
Suspected Fraud or Misreporting: The income tax department may issue a notice if they suspect fraudulent activities or misreporting of income in your ITR.
Types of Notices
These notices encompass confidential taxpayer information and, as a precautionary measure, are consistently issued in encrypted form with password protection. Let's delve into the distinct types of notices you might encounter:
Intimation u/s143(1): This serves as a formal announcement that your ITR has undergone processing, disclosing any additional tax liabilities or eligibility for a refund.
Notice u/s 142(1): Issued when the income tax officer requires supplementary documents for filing the ITR or demands the submission of your return.
Notice u/s 139(9): A defective return notice is issued if the assessing officer perceives a defect in the furnished return.
Notice u/s 143(2): Sent when your ITR is subjected to detailed examination or scrutiny.
Notice u/s 156: If an individual taxpayer has outstanding tax, penalty, or fee obligations, a notice under section 156 may be issued.
Notice u/s 245: Issued if the assessing officer identifies outstanding demands from previous years.
Notice u/s 148: Sent if the taxpayer is suspected of reporting lower income or omitting income during the ITR filing.
Notice u/s 131(1A): If the assessing officer believes the taxpayer is concealing income, a notice is dispatched.
FAQ
Q1. Why is my Income Tax Return (ITR) notice password-protected?
The password protection ensures the security of your sensitive tax information. You need to enter a password to open the notice and access the details.
Q2. How do I open a password-encrypted ITR notice?
The password to open an ITR notice is your PAN number in lowercase, followed by your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.
Q3. What if I forget the password for my ITR notice?
If you forget the password, you may need to refer to the notice or contact the income tax department for guidance on password retrieval or reset procedures.
Q4. Can I use the same password for different ITR notices?
Yes, the password for opening any ITR notice is typically the same. It is your PAN number in lowercase, followed by your date of birth.
Q5. How often should I check for ITR notices after filing my return?
Regularly check for notices, especially after filing your return, to stay informed about the processing status and any additional actions required.
Q6. How can I check my PAN card number online?
You can check your PAN card number on the official website of the Income Tax Department or through the PAN verification services provided by authorized agencies.
Q7. What if there is a discrepancy between the PAN on my card and the one in the ITR notice?
Report any discrepancies to the income tax department immediately. It's crucial to ensure accurate information for tax-related communications.
Q8. Can I open an ITR notice on a mobile device or tablet?
Yes, you can open an ITR notice on a mobile device or tablet using a compatible PDF reader. Enter the password as specified in the notice.
Q9. Is it safe to share my PAN number when seeking professional assistance with ITR notices?
While it's generally safe, ensure that you share such information only with reputable and authorized professionals. Verify credentials and use secure communication channels.
Q10. Can someone else access my ITR notice with my PAN and date of birth?
It is highly unlikely, as password protection is designed to ensure that only the authorized taxpayer can open and view the notice using their unique PAN and date of birth.
Q11. What is the password for opening the Income Tax Annual Information Statement?
If the statement is downloaded in PDF format, it is password-protected. The password for opening the Annual Information Statement is the same as that for an income tax notice. Enter the PAN number in lowercase, followed by the date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.
Q12. How do I open Form 26AS, and what is the password for it?
Form 26AS is also password-protected, akin to an income tax notice. The password is the PAN in lowercase, followed by the date of birth as indicated on the PAN card in DDMMYYYY format.
