Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Taxpayers Must Check for Notices After Filing ITR
After filing your income tax return (ITR), you might receive notices from the tax department.
One common notice is under Section 143(1), which tells you if your return is accepted, if you're getting a refund, or if there's a problem that needs to be fixed.
If there's a problem, you have to pay any extra tax owed within 30 days or ask for a correction if you think the notice is wrong.
Another notice you might get is under Section 139(9), which means your return is missing some important information.
You have to fix this or your return might not be accepted.
There are also notices for more detailed checks, like under Section 142(1) and Section 143(2).
It's important to respond to these notices on time to avoid penalties and extra interest.
Taxpayers receive intimation under Section 143(1) after filing ITR, which may confirm acceptance, refund, or raise a demand due to discrepancies.
Taxpayers must review the intimation carefully to verify total income, TDS, tax credits, deductions, exemptions, and interest calculations.
If there is a mismatch, taxpayers can respond through the e-filing portal, file a rectification request, or file a revised or updated return.
A notice under Section 139(9) is issued for defective returns, requiring taxpayers to rectify missing or inconsistent information.
Ignoring notices can result in best judgement assessment, additional tax demands, penalties, and prolonged litigation.
- Who
- Taxpayers and the Income Tax Department
- What
- Taxpayers must check for notices after filing their ITR, including intimation under Section 143(1), defective ITR notices, and scrutiny notices.
- When
- After filing the income tax return (ITR)
- Where
- India
- Why
- To ensure accuracy and compliance with tax regulations, and to avoid penalties and interest.
Taxpayer's Perspective
Income Tax Department's Perspective
Discrepancies in Tax Demand
Taxpayer's Perspective
Taxpayers may disagree with the adjustments or tax demand due to incorrect TDS reporting, omission of income, or clerical errors.
Income Tax Department's Perspective
The Income Tax Department issues notices based on discrepancies found during the comparison of taxpayer's information with department records.
Rectification of Defective ITR
Taxpayer's Perspective
Taxpayers may receive a defective ITR notice due to incorrect or incomplete information, and they have the opportunity to rectify it.
Income Tax Department's Perspective
The Income Tax Department issues defective ITR notices to ensure all mandatory information and documents are complete and consistent.
- Section 143(1) Intimation
- Confirms acceptance, refund, or raises a demand due to discrepancies.
- Timeline for Rectification
- Taxpayers have 15-30 days to respond to mismatches flagged by the tax department.
- Section 139(9) Notice
- Issued when the return is considered defective due to missing or inconsistent information.
- Section 142(1) Notice
- Issued to request filing of a return or seek additional information.
- Section 143(2) Notice
- Indicates that the return has been selected for detailed scrutiny.