Section 284 supports assessments of discontinued businesses under s. 176. Where such an assessment is to be made, the Assessing Officer may serve a notice on the person whose income is to be assessed, or, for a firm or association of persons, on any person who was a member of it at the time of discontinuance, or, for a company, on its principal officer.
The notice may contain all or any of the requirements that may be included in a notice under sub-section (2) of section 139, and the Act then applies, so far as may be, as if the notice had been issued under that section.
Operative consequences
The Assessing Officer may call for a return or other particulars from the persons named even though the business has ceased.
The notice carries the same legal effect as a notice under the provision of section 139 that it refers to, so the consequences of non-compliance with such a notice follow.
For a firm or association of persons, service on any one person who was a member at the time of discontinuance is sufficient.
Status
Section 284 is operative for assessment year 2026-27. It is not time-limited. The Finance Act, 2026 did not amend this section.
The 1961 Act governs assessment year 2026-27 and earlier; the Income-tax Act, 2025 governs tax year 2026-27 onwards. For this subject the 2025 Act provision is s. 504.
Function in the statutory architecture
Section 284 supports assessments of discontinued businesses under s. 176. Where such an assessment is to be made, the Assessing Officer may serve a notice on the person whose income is to be assessed, or, for a firm or association of persons, on any person who was a member of it at the time of discontinuance, or, for a company, on its principal officer.
The notice may contain all or any of the requirements that may be included in a notice under sub-section (2) of section 139, and the Act then applies, so far as may be, as if the notice had been issued under that section.
Operative consequences
Status
Section 284 is operative for assessment year 2026-27. It is not time-limited. The Finance Act, 2026 did not amend this section.
The 1961 Act governs assessment year 2026-27 and earlier; the Income-tax Act, 2025 governs tax year 2026-27 onwards. For this subject the 2025 Act provision is s. 504.