Section 292 fixes the minimum level of court for trying offences under the Act. No court inferior to that of a presidency magistrate or a magistrate of the first class may try any offence under the Act.
The section applies to every prosecution for an offence under the Act, including offences under Chapter XXII.
Operative consequences
A complaint for an offence under the Act must be tried by a court of at least the stated rank.
A trial before a lower court would be outside the jurisdiction allowed by the Act.
Status
Section 292 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. 520.
Function in the statutory architecture
Section 292 fixes the minimum level of court for trying offences under the Act. No court inferior to that of a presidency magistrate or a magistrate of the first class may try any offence under the Act.
The section applies to every prosecution for an offence under the Act, including offences under Chapter XXII.
Operative consequences
Status
Section 292 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. 520.