Tax on updated return
The Indian Income Tax Act, 1961 offers a valuable provision, Section 140B, to facilitate accurate tax reporting and voluntary compliance. This section empowers taxpayers to file an updated return, even after the due date, under specific conditions. By understanding these provisions, you can ensure timely and correct tax payment, avoiding potential penalties and interest charges.
Unlocking the Key Provisions of Section 140B
Eligibility to File an Updated Return:
- No Original or Belated Return Filed:
- Taxpayers who missed filing the original or belated return for a particular assessment year can file an updated return under Section 140B.
- Original, Revised, or Belated Return Already Filed:
- Taxpayers who have already filed an original, revised, or belated return can still file an updated return if they discover omissions or errors in the earlier return.
Payment of Tax, Interest, and Additional Income-Tax:
- Mandatory Payment Before Filing:
- Taxpayers must pay the following amounts before filing an updated return:
- Tax on the income declared in the updated return.
- Interest and fees for any delays in filing or tax payments.
- Additional income-tax, calculated as a percentage of the aggregate tax and interest payable.
- Taxpayers must pay the following amounts before filing an updated return:
Additional Income-Tax Rates:
- 25%: Applicable if the updated return is filed within 12 months from the end of the relevant assessment year.
- 50%: Applicable if the updated return is filed after 12 months but within 24 months from the end of the relevant assessment year.
Illustrative Examples:
Example 1:
- Mr. Mehta failed to file his income tax return for the assessment year 2023-24. He decides to file an updated return under Section 140B in January 2025.
- He will be required to pay the calculated tax, interest, and additional income-tax of 50% (as he is filing after 12 months) before submitting the updated return.
Example 2:
- Ms. Sharma filed her original income tax return for the assessment year 2023-24 in July 2024. In December 2024, she realizes that she omitted income from a fixed deposit in her original return.
- She can file an updated return under Section 140B to declare the additional income and pay the applicable tax and interest.
Key Considerations:
- Proof of Payment: The updated return must be accompanied by proof of payment of tax, additional income-tax, interest, and fees.
- Guidelines: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) may issue guidelines for the implementation of Section 140B.
- Parliamentary Oversight: Guidelines issued by the CBDT are subject to review by both Houses of Parliament.
Harnessing the Benefits of Section 140B:
- Rectify Errors and Omissions: Correct mistakes in previously filed returns.
- Avoid Penalties and Prosecution: Mitigate potential legal consequences for non-compliance.
- Enhance Tax Transparency: Foster a culture of voluntary compliance and accurate tax reporting.
Provision of Section 140B of Income Tax Act 1961
(1) Where no return of income under sub-section (1) or sub-section (4) of section 139 has been furnished by an assessee and tax is payable, on the basis of return to be furnished by such assessee under sub-section (8A) of section 139, after taking into account,—
(i) the amount of tax, if any, already paid as advance tax;
(ii) any tax deducted or collected at source;
(iii) any relief of tax claimed under section 89;
(iv) any relief of tax or deduction of tax claimed under section 90 or section 91 on account of tax paid in a country outside India;
(v) any relief of tax claimed under section 90A on account of tax paid in any specified territory outside India referred to in that section; and
(vi) any tax credit claimed to be set off in accordance with the provisions of section 115JAA or section 115JD,
the assessee shall be liable to pay such tax together with interest and fee payable under any of the provisions of this Act for any delay in furnishing the return or any default or delay in payment of advance tax, along with the payment of additional income-tax computed in accordance with sub-section (3), before furnishing the return and the return shall be accompanied by proof of payment of such tax, additional income-tax, interest and fee.
(2) Where, return of income under sub-section (1) or sub-section (4) or sub-section (5) of section 139 (referred to as earlier return) has been furnished by an assessee and tax is payable on the basis of return to be furnished by such assessee under sub-section (8A) of section 139,—
(a) after taking into account,—
(i) the amount of relief or tax referred to in sub-section (1) of section 140A, the credit for which has been taken in the earlier return;
(ii) tax deducted or collected at source, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XVII-B, on any income which is subject to such deduction or collection and which is taken into account in computing total income and which has not been included in the earlier return;
(iii) any relief of tax or deduction of tax claimed under section 90 or section 91 on account of tax paid in a country outside India on such income which has not been included in the earlier return;
(iv) any relief of tax claimed under section 90A on account of tax paid in any specified territory outside India referred to in that section on such income which has not been included in the earlier return;
(v) any tax credit claimed, to be set off in accordance with the provisions of section 115JAA or section 115JD, which has not been claimed in the earlier return; and
(b) as increased by the amount of refund, if any, issued in respect of such earlier return,
the assessee shall be liable to pay such tax together with interest payable under any provision of this Act for any default or delay in payment of advance tax along with the payment of additional income-tax, as computed in accordance with sub-section (3), as reduced by the amount of interest paid under the provisions of this Act in the earlier return, before furnishing the return and the return shall be accompanied by proof of payment of such tax, additional income-tax, interest and fee.
(3) For the purposes of sub-sections (1) and (2), the additional income-tax payable at the time of furnishing the return under sub-section (8A) of section 139 shall be equal to,—
(i) twenty-five per cent of aggregate of tax and interest payable, as determined in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), as the case may be, if such return is furnished after expiry of the time available under sub-section (4) or sub-section (5) of section 139 and before completion of the period of twelve months from the end of the relevant assessment year; or
(ii) fifty per cent of aggregate of tax and interest payable, as determined in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), as the case may be, if such return is furnished after the expiry of twelve months from the end of the relevant assessment year but before completion of the period of twenty-four months from the end of the relevant assessment year.
Explanation.—For the purposes of computation of “additional income-tax”, tax shall include surcharge and cess, by whatever name called, on such tax.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in Explanation 1 to section 234B, for the purposes of sub-section (2), interest payable under section 234B shall be computed on an amount equal to the assessed tax 84[***] where, “assessed tax” means the tax on the total income as declared in the return to be furnished under sub-section (8A) of section 139,—
(a) after taking into account,—
(i) the amount of relief or tax referred to in sub-section (1) of section 140A, the credit for which has been claimed in the earlier return 85[, if any];
(ii) tax deducted or collected at source, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XVII-B, on any income which is subject to such deduction or collection and which is taken into account in computing such total income, which has not been included in the earlier return;
(iii) any relief of tax or deduction of tax claimed under section 90 or section 91 on account of tax paid in a country outside India on such income which has not been included in the earlier return;
(iv) any relief of tax claimed under section 90A on account of tax paid in any specified territory outside India referred to in that section on such income which has not been included in the earlier return;
(v) any tax credit claimed, to be set off in accordance with the provisions of section 115JAA or section 115JD, which has not been claimed in the earlier return; and
(b) as increased by the amount of refund, if any, issued in respect of such earlier return.
(5) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this section, the Board may, with the approval of the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, issue guidelines for the purpose of removing the difficulty.
(6) Every guideline issued under sub-section (5) shall be laid before each House of Parliament.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—
(i) interest payable under section 234A, for the purposes of sub-section (1), shall be computed on the amount of tax on the total income as declared in the return, under sub-section (8A) of section 139, in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1A) of section 140A;
(ii) interest payable under section 234C, for the purposes of sub-section (2), shall be computed after taking into account the total income furnished in the return under sub-section (8A) of section 139 as the returned income;
(iii) interest payable, for the purposes of sub-section (3), shall be the interest chargeable under any provision of this Act, on the income as per return furnished under sub-section (8A) of section 139, as reduced by interest paid, in accordance with the earlier return, if any:
Provided that for the purposes of this clause, the interest paid in the earlier return shall be nil if such return is an updated return referred to in sub-section (1).]
For more information the following government website can be referred:
1) Government Income Tax E-filing Wesbite
2) Government Income Tax Website
Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general guidance and should not be considered as a substitute for professional tax advice. Please consult a qualified tax advisor for specific guidance relevant to your individual circumstances.
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