Notification of a class of search cases where compulsory reopening of past six years not required
Under the existing provisions of section 153A of the Income-tax Act, it is mandatory to issue a notice for filing of tax returns for 6 assessment years immediately proceeding the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which search is conducted under section 132 or requisition is made under section 132A.
It is proposed that the provisions of section 153A and 153C may be amended so as to empower the Central Government to notify cases or class of cases in which the Assessing Officer shall not issue notice for initiation of proceedings for preceding 6 assessment years. However, action for completion of assessment proceedings for the assessment year relevant to the previous year in such class of cases in which search or requisition has been made would be taken. This would result in initiating assessment proceedings only for the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which search or requisition has been made.
Consequential amendments are also proposed to be made to the provisions of section 296 of the Act. These amendments will take effect from the 1st day of July, 2012.
