It is now crucial to distinguish between real and fake communications from the Income Tax Department due to the increase in scams. People are becoming victims of fraudulent notices more frequently, which raises concerns about identity theft and financial exploitation.
Understanding these guidelines can help you spot a fake notice. Carefully reading any tax notice you receive is essential, as scammers often rely on inattention to trick you. Avoiding a panic reaction and scrutinizing the notice can help you identify fraudulent attempts.
A tax expert stated a recent instance in which a client was pressured to click on a link and pay taxes right away in order to avoid penalties in emails and messages purporting to be from the Income Tax Department. To convey urgency, these messages made use of formal language and frightening threats. Luckily, the client exercised caution and informed the expert of the situation.
Read more:- Income Tax: Know these 5 key points before filing ITR early
Guidelines Followed by the Tax Department for Sending Notices
- Visibility on the e-Filing ITR Portal: Most notices are sent electronically and can be verified on the e-filing ITR portal. You can cross-check the notices under different tabs of the portal, such as:
‘e-File’ tab: Check ‘view filed return’ for intimations sent for the respective year.
‘Pending Actions’ tab: Look under ‘e-Proceeding’ and ‘Compliance Portal.’
However, there’s good news – safeguarding yourself against such scams has become easier.
- DIN Number: A computer-generated Document Identification Number (DIN) is required to be included with all notices as of October 1, 2019. As per Ramakrishnan Srinivasan, the former Chief Commissioner of the Income Tax Department, this measure guarantees transparency and accountability and was mandated by Circular No. 19/2019, which was issued on August 14, 2019.
- Official Email Domain: ‘@incometax.gov.in’ is the official email address from which notices are sent. These emails have a special format where the designation and ward number come first, then the city. P. Krishnamoorthi, the Joint Director (Systems), for instance, has the email address [email protected].
- Direct Notices from Tax Officers: Occasionally, notices are sent straight from the official domain ID to the taxpayer’s registered email address, such as during hearings before the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP). These emails are just meant to inform the taxpayer; they will never include payment links.
The official website of the Income Tax Department offers online tools to verify the authenticity of notices.
Read more:- New AIS feature enhances Income Tax Confirmation Process
Here’s how you can utilise this process:
Step 1: Visit the Income Tax Department’s website at https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/.
Step 2: Click on “Quick Links” and then select “Authenticate Notice/Order Issued by ITD.”
Step 3: Choose verification through either PAN or DIN. If opting for PAN, you’ll need to fill in details such as document type (notice, order), assessment year, issue date, and mobile number.
Step 4: Alternatively, if you select DIN, you’ll be required to enter the DIN available on the notice and provide a mobile number for OTP verification.
Step 5: Verify the OTP in the next step and click on Continue.
Step 6: The tool will then confirm whether the notice you received is genuine or fake.
Read more:- ITR: 7 common mistakes to avoid for a easy income tax filing
You can confirm whether the tax notice or order you received is actually from the Income Tax Department by using this tool. Notifications, orders, summonses, and other correspondence from the tax department are subject to this verification procedure. By using this verification, you can make sure that the information you have been given is genuine and prevent yourself from becoming a victim of scams.
How to Spot a Fake Income Tax Notice
Payment links are typical characteristics of fake notices, but the Income Tax Department never includes them. Sincere notices advise taxpayers to use the e-pay tax option on the ITR portal for any payments due and provide an explanation for their issuance. Using payment links in their emails or notices, scammers hope to defraud victims out of their money.
Genuine tax notices can only be sent by authorized officers, and they will always originate from official email addresses. It is fraudulent if you receive a notice from a personal email address. Notifications from the National Faceless Authority or the Central Processing Center (CPC) are always sent from specified email addresses, and they never reveal the officer’s identity to the taxpayer.
Read more:- ITR: Summary of income tax return forms ITR 1 to ITR 7
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