𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟳𝟬𝗔 – 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲

𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟳𝟬𝗔 – 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲

Under Section 270A of the Income Tax Act, underreporting of income refers to unintentional errors or omissions, leading to a penalty of 50% of the tax due on the underreported amount. Misreporting of income involves deliberate, fraudulent actions, resulting in a much steeper penalty of 200% of the tax due on the misreported income.

1️⃣ 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟳𝟬𝗔:
Introduced to replace the old concealment penalty regime, it aims to reduce litigation, encourage voluntary compliance, and differentiate between genuine mistakes (underreporting) and deliberate misstatements (misreporting).

2️⃣ 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀:

Underreporting attracts a penalty of 50% of the tax payable on such income.
Misreporting (intentional falsification) invites a 200% penalty on the tax due.

3️⃣ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱:

Occurs when assessed income exceeds returned income, reassessment increases income, or a declared loss is reduced or converted into income. It also applies when no return is filed and assessed income crosses the exemption limit.

4️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱:

Underreported income is the difference between assessed and declared income (or basic exemption limit if no return filed). Special computation applies under MAT/AMT using the prescribed formula under Section 115JB/115JC.

5️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:
Includes suppression or misrepresentation of facts, false entries, unrecorded receipts or investments, unverifiable expense claims, unreported international/domestic transactions, or share issues above fair value.

6️⃣ 𝗡𝗼 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗦𝗲𝗰 𝟮𝟳𝟬𝗔(𝟲)):

No penalty if full disclosure is made with a bona fide explanation, income determined by estimates, differences arise due to interpretation of law, valid TP documentation exists, or income already taxed elsewhere.

7️⃣ 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

Recent ITAT rulings (Redington, Alrameez Construction, Checkmate Services, St. Joseph’s Trust, etc.) have consistently deleted penalties where full disclosure existed, interpretation issues were debatable, or the Assessing Officer failed to specify whether the case involved underreporting or misreporting.

8️⃣ 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆:

For a valid penalty under 270A, the AO must clearly identify the charge, prove intent in misreporting cases, and ensure the taxpayer was not acting bona fide. Genuine disclosure and legal debate protect assessees from unjustified penalties.

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