Modification of e-assessment scheme
Section 143 of the Act provides the manner for processing and assessment of return of income (ITR) where a return has been made under section 139, or in response to a notice under sub-section (1) of section 142 of the Act.
2. Sub-section (3A) of section 143 provides that the Central Government may make a scheme, by notification in the Official Gazette, for the purposes of making assessment of total income or loss of the assessee under sub-section (3) of section 143 so as to impart greater efficiency, transparency and accountability by certain means specified therein. Accordingly, E-assessment Scheme, 2019 was notified under sub-section (3A) of Section 143 of the Act.
3. It is proposed to amend sub-section (3A) of section 143 of the Act to,-
(i) expand the scope so as to include the reference of section 144 of the Act relating to best judgement assessment in the said sub-section;
(ii) provide that Central Government may issue any direction under sub-section (3B) of the said section upto 31st March, 2022.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020.
[Clause 69]
Extract of Relevant Clauses of Finance Bill, 2020
Clause 69
“Clause 69 of the Bill seeks to amend section 143 of the Income-tax Act relating to assessment.
Sub-section (3A) of the said section provides that the Central Government may make a scheme, by notification in the Official Gazette, for the purposes of making assessment of total income or loss of the assessee under sub-section (3) of section 143 so as to impart greater efficiency, transparency and accountability by certain means specified therein.
In order to enable assessment under section 144 under the aforementioned notified scheme, it is proposed to amend the said sub-section so as to include the reference of section 144 of the Act in it.
Sub-section (3B) of the said section provides that the Central Government may for the purpose of giving effect to the scheme, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any of the provisions of the Act relating to assessment of total income or loss shall not apply or shall apply with such exceptions, modification and adaptations as may be specified in the notification. Proviso to the said sub-section provides that no such direction shall be issued after 31st day of March, 2020.
It is further proposed to amend the said proviso to provide that Central Government may issue any direction under sub-section (3B) of the said section upto 31st day of March, 2022.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020.”
Extract of Relevant Amendment Proposed by Finance Bill, 2020
69. Amendment of section 143.
(a) In section 143 of the Income-tax Act,–– (a) in sub-section (3A), after the word, brackets and figure “sub-section (3)”, the words and figures “or section 144” shall be inserted;
(b) in sub-section (3B), in the proviso, for the figures, letters and words “31st day of March, 2020”, the figures, letters and words “31st day of March, 2022” shall be substituted.
