Chartered Accountant · ICAI M.No. 153926 · FRN 136869W
What triggers it
A Section 148 notice is issued when the Assessing Officer has information suggesting income escaped tax in a past year — for example a high-value transaction in the AIS that wasn’t reflected in your return. It re-opens that year for reassessment, within the time limits the law allows.
The 148A safeguard
Under the current procedure, the officer must usually first issue a Section 148A notice — giving you a chance to explain before any reassessment begins — and pass an order on whether reopening is justified. This is an important protection: a well-evidenced reply at the 148A stage can stop the reassessment. Time limits and procedure here are technical — act on professional advice.
How to respond — an example
Example: you get a 148A notice about a ₹30 lakh property purchase the department thinks was unexplained. If you can show it was funded from disclosed savings or a loan, you reply with proof and may avoid reassessment. Ignoring it leads to a 148 notice and an adverse order. These are not to be handled casually — deadlines are strict. Our team can draft the response and represent you.