Chapter XVI

Section 268 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 142 -- the foundational provision empowering AO / Joint CIT / Joint Director to issue NOTICE TO ASSESSEE for production of return / books of account / documents / personal attendance /…

Section 269 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 142 A -- the AO's power to refer ASSET VALUATION to a DEPARTMENTAL VALUATION OFFICER (DVO) during pending assessment. The provision is critical for: (a) immovable property valuations…

Section 270 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 143 -- THE MOST FREQUENTLY-INVOKED ASSESSMENT PROVISION in the Act, governing every taxpayer's return-processing under the central CPC system at Bangalore and AO scrutiny / NFAC…

Section 271 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 144 -- the provision dealing with best judgment assessment within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a) inquiry /…

Section 272 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 144 A -- the provision dealing with joint commissioner directions within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a) inquiry…

Section 273 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 144 B -- the FACELESS ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK introduced FA 2020 and operationalised by CBDT Notification dated 13-Aug-2020. The provision establishes the DIGITAL-ONLY ASSESSMENT…

Section 274 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 144 BA -- the PRE-ASSESSMENT SENIOR-AUTHORITY REVIEW PATHWAY for cases involving (a) GAAR (Chapter XI - s. 178 -184) implications; (b) certain specified domestic transactions; (c) other…

Section 275 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 144 C -- the DISPUTE RESOLUTION PANEL (DRP) framework, specifically targeting eligible-assessee cases including: (a) any FOREIGN COMPANY; (b) any case involving INTERNATIONAL…

Section 276 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 145 -- the provision dealing with method of accounting within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a) inquiry / scrutiny…

Section 277 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 145 A -- the provision dealing with method of accounting (specific cases) within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a)…

Section 278 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 145 B -- the provision dealing with taxability of certain income within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a) inquiry /…

Section 279 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 147 -- the foundational provision authorising RE-OPENING OF ASSESSMENT for years where INCOME has ESCAPED ASSESSMENT. POST FA 2021 WATERSHED: the provision was substantially…

Section 280 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 148 -- the formal NOTICE provision triggering reassessment proceedings under s. 279 . The provision authorises AO to issue notice requiring assessee to file return for the year in…

Section 281 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 148 A -- the FA 2021 PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARD requiring AO to follow MANDATORY PRE-NOTICE PROCEDURE before issuing reassessment notice under s. 280 . The framework: (a) AO conducts…

Section 282 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 149 -- the provision dealing with time limit for notices ss. 280/281 within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a)…

Section 283 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 150 -- the provision dealing with other provisions on escaped assessment within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a)…

Section 284 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 151 -- the provision dealing with sanction for notice within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a) inquiry / scrutiny…

Section 285 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 152 -- the provision dealing with provisions for assessing of escaped assessment within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration…

Section 286 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 153 -- THE MASTER LIMITATION PROVISION governing time-limits for ALL ASSESSMENT / REASSESSMENT / RECOMPUTATION orders. The provision is one of the LONGEST procedural sections (~13.7K…

Section 287 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 154 -- the foundational RECTIFICATION provision authorising income-tax authorities to rectify any MISTAKE APPARENT FROM THE RECORD in their orders / intimations. The provision is the…

Section 287A is the most consequential procedural reform of the post-2021 reassessment regime. Before FA 2021, reassessment under section 148 was based on the AO's 'reasons to believe' — often an opaque internal AO assessment leading to…

Section 288 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 155 -- the COMPREHENSIVE CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT PROVISION authorising AO to amend completed assessments to give effect to subsequent orders / determinations affecting related-party…

Section 289 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 156 -- the provision dealing with notice of demand within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a) inquiry / scrutiny…

Section 290 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 156 A -- the provision dealing with modification of notice within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a) inquiry /…

Section 291 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 157 -- the provision dealing with intimation of loss within the assessment procedure framework under Chapter XVI. Critical provision in tax-administration for: (a) inquiry / scrutiny…

Section 292 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BA -- the foundational charging provision for BLOCK ASSESSMENT triggered by search and seizure under s. 247 . The provision establishes that on search-led discovery of undisclosed…

Section 293 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BB -- the COMPUTATION METHODOLOGY for total undisclosed income of the BLOCK PERIOD assessed under search-led block assessment regime ( s. 247 → s. 294 → s. 192 60% tax). The…

Section 294 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BC -- the operational procedure for block assessment activated post-search. The provision establishes the procedural workflow: (a) AO issues notice to assessee post-search; (b)…

Section 295 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BD -- the SPILLOVER BLOCK ASSESSMENT framework. Where during search of one assessee (Person A), the AO discovers UNDISCLOSED INCOME / ASSETS belonging to OTHER PERSON (Person B),…

Section 296 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BE -- the comprehensive time-limit framework for COMPLETION OF BLOCK ASSESSMENT under s. 294 procedure. The provision establishes specific time-windows for: (a) primary assessee…

Section 297 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BFA -- the provision dealing with certain interests and penalties not levied within the BLOCK ASSESSMENT framework triggered by search and seizure ( s. 247 ). Section 247 search…

Section 298 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BFA -- governing interest and penalty in block-assessment cases. The provision establishes specific interest / penalty framework over and above general provisions, recognising the…

Section 299 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BG -- the provision dealing with authority competent for block assessment within the BLOCK ASSESSMENT framework triggered by search and seizure ( s. 247 ). Section 247 search…

Section 300 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 BH -- the provision dealing with application of other provisions of act within the BLOCK ASSESSMENT framework triggered by search and seizure ( s. 247 ). Section 247 search triggers…

Section 301 is the substantive equivalent of 1961 s. 158 B -- the DEFINITIONAL ANCHOR for block-assessment provisions ss. 292-300 (1961 ss. 158BA-158BH). Defines critical terms: 'BLOCK PERIOD' (typically 6 / 10 years preceding search);…