Late Fee for Tax Audit Report as introduced by the Finance Act 2026: Will It Apply to FY 2025–26 or FY 2026–27 onwards   New Income Tax Act – 2025 is made applicable from 01.04.2026. With this, one of the biggest confusions after the Finance Act 2026 is this:      Will the newly introduced…

Section 153C Proceedings Quashed: ITAT Pune Rules Separate Satisfaction for Each Year is Mandatory   TAT Pune in the case of Ramdas Chabaji Dhankude & Vikas Narayan Dhankude vs ACIT has quashed the proceeding under section 153C by holding that Separate Satisfaction for Each Year is Mandatory. Search assessments continue to be one of the…

WhatsApp Chats & SMS as Evidence in Tax Search? ITAT Delhi Draws a Clear Line   In an era where tax investigations increasingly rely on digital footprints, a recent ruling by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Delhi Bench, has sent a strong message to the Revenue authorities: electronic evidence cannot replace proper proof. The decision…

Cases where returned income exceeds ₹15 lakh must be handled by the ACIT or higher authorities Not doing so would render Assessment void ab-initio   Reassessment under Section 147 of the Income Tax Act is not merely a procedural exercise-it requires strict compliance with jurisdictional conditions and statutory safeguards. In a significant ruling, the Delhi ITAT has…

Cross Examination in Income Tax Assessment: Your Strongest Weapon Against Wrong Additions   In today’s era of AI-driven tax scrutiny, data analytics, and increasing reliance on third-party information, one principle has become critically important in income tax proceedings: the right of cross-examination. Despite its importance, many taxpayers and even professionals either overlook it or fail…