Income tax litigation in India refers to the legal disputes and proceedings that arise between taxpayers and the Income Tax Department over tax-related issues. These disputes can arise for various reasons, such as non-disclosure of income, incorrect deductions, non-payment of taxes, and disputes related to tax assessment.

The income tax litigation process in India begins with the issuance of a notice by the Income Tax Department, either for assessment or for reassessment of income tax. The taxpayer is required to respond to the notice within a specified period and submit the necessary documents and information. If the taxpayer disagrees with the assessment, they can file an appeal with the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) within 30 days of the assessment order.

If the taxpayer is still dissatisfied with the decision of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), they can further appeal to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). The ITAT is an independent tribunal that hears and adjudicates income tax disputes. If the taxpayer is still not satisfied with the decision of the ITAT, they can approach the High Court and ultimately, the Supreme Court of India.

The income tax litigation process in India can be complex and time-consuming, and it is advisable for taxpayers to seek the assistance of tax professionals or lawyers who specialize in tax litigation to ensure the best possible outcome.

Intimation under Section 143(1):

Section 143(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, provides for the intimation to be sent to a taxpayer after the return of income is filed. This intimation is commonly referred to as "Intimation under Section 143(1)".

The purpose of the intimation is to communicate the outcome of the processing of the tax return and to inform the taxpayer about any discrepancies or adjustments made by the Income Tax Department in the return filed by the taxpayer. The intimation may show that the tax return has been processed without any adjustment, or it may show that there are certain discrepancies or adjustments made by the Income Tax Department.

The intimation under Section 143(1) is sent to the taxpayer's registered email address, and it is also available on the taxpayer's account on the income tax e-filing website. The taxpayer is required to review the intimation carefully and ensure that the details mentioned in it are correct. If the taxpayer agrees with the adjustments made by the Income Tax Department, they do not need to take any further action. However, if the taxpayer disagrees with the adjustments, they may file a rectification request or appeal against the intimation.

Income Tax Notice u/s 139(9) Defective Return:

An Income Tax Notice under section 139(9) is issued by the Income Tax Department if they find any discrepancies or errors in the tax return filed by an individual or a company. This notice is known as a "Defective Return Notice."

When you receive a notice under section 139(9), it means that your tax return is considered defective and needs to be corrected. This notice gives you an opportunity to correct the errors or discrepancies in your tax return within a specified period. If you fail to respond to the notice or fail to correct the errors within the given time, your tax return will be considered invalid.

To respond to the notice, you need to visit the Income Tax Department's website and log in to your account. Once you log in, you can view the notice and respond accordingly. You may also need to submit additional documents or information to support your response.

It's essential to respond to the notice within the given time frame to avoid any penalties or legal action from the Income Tax Department. If you are unsure how to proceed or need assistance, you can consult with a tax professional or a chartered accountant.

Income Tax Notice u/s 142(1) Inquiry before assessment:

Section 142(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 empowers the income tax department to conduct an inquiry before assessment. This means that the Assessing Officer (AO) can issue a notice to the taxpayer asking for information and documents to verify the accuracy and completeness of the income tax return filed by the taxpayer.

The notice u/s 142(1) is usually issued when the AO has doubts or discrepancies in the income tax return filed by the taxpayer. The notice will require the taxpayer to provide additional information, explanations, or documents in support of their income tax return.

If you have received a notice u/s 142(1), it is important to respond to it promptly and provide all the requested information and documents to the AO. Failure to respond to the notice or non-compliance with the request may result in penalties or even prosecution.

It is advisable to seek professional help from a chartered accountant or tax lawyer to respond to the notice and handle any further proceedings.

Income Tax Notice u/s 148 Income escaping assessment:

An Income Tax Notice u/s 148 is issued when the Income Tax Department believes that there has been an "income escaping assessment," which means that some of your income has not been reported or has been underreported in your tax return. This notice is usually issued within four years from the end of the relevant assessment year, which is the year in which the income was earned.

The notice u/s 148 gives you an opportunity to explain the reason for the discrepancy and to provide any additional information or documents to support your case. If you do not respond to the notice, the Income Tax Department may proceed with the assessment and issue a demand notice for the additional tax, interest, and penalties.

If you receive a notice u/s 148, it is important to consult a tax professional or lawyer who can advise you on how to respond to the notice and the best course of action to take. It is also important to respond to the notice within the specified time frame to avoid any further penalties or legal action.

Notice u/s 156 - Notice of Demand:

A Notice of Demand is a formal legal notice issued by a party to another party, demanding that certain actions be taken or certain obligations be fulfilled within a specified time frame. The notice is usually issued when there has been a breach of contract, non-payment of dues, or any other violation of the terms of an agreement.

In the context of legal proceedings, a Notice of Demand may be issued by a plaintiff to a defendant, demanding payment of a debt or performance of a specific obligation. The notice typically specifies the amount owed or the nature of the obligation, and sets a deadline for compliance.

Failure to comply with a Notice of Demand can result in legal action being taken against the non-complying party. It is important to seek legal advice if you receive a Notice of Demand, as failure to respond appropriately can result in adverse consequences.

Notice u/s 245 Set off Refunds against tax remaining payable:

The notice "u/s 245 Set off Refunds against tax remaining payable" refers to a provision under section 245 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 in India. This provision allows the income tax authorities to adjust or set off any refunds due to a taxpayer against any outstanding tax liability that the taxpayer may have.

In simpler terms, if a taxpayer has any pending tax liability or tax dues, and they are entitled to receive a refund for any previous tax years, the income tax department may set off the refund amount against the tax dues. This means that instead of receiving the refund amount, the taxpayer's outstanding tax dues will be reduced by that amount.

It is important to note that the income tax department can only set off the refund against tax dues if the taxpayer has not paid the tax dues within the due date. Also, the taxpayer will be notified of the adjustment made and any balance amount left after the adjustment will be refunded to the taxpayer.