Under the Income Tax Act, 1961, penalties and prosecutions are imposed for various defaults and non-compliance issues. Key penalties include fines for failure to pay self-assessment tax (Section 140A), undisclosed income (Section 158BFA), and late filing of returns (Section 234F). Specific penalties apply to defaults like failure to maintain books of account (Section 271A) and inaccuracies in international transactions (Section 271AA). Penalties also cover failures in tax deductions (Section 271C), loan and deposit regulations (Sections 271D, 271E), and inaccuracies in financial reports (Section 271J). For severe cases, such as non-compliance during searches or obstructing tax recovery, prosecutions can lead to rigorous imprisonment and unlimited fines (Sections 275A, 276). Additionally, provisions for immunity from penalties exist if reasonable cause is proven or an application for settlement under Section 245C is made. The document provides a comprehensive overview of the penalties and legal repercussions under the Act, including detailed sections on each default and corresponding penalties.
PENALTIES & PROSECUTION
[AY 2025-26]
| Section | Nature of default | Penalty leviable |
| (1) | (2) | (3) |
| 140A(3) | Failure to pay wholly or partly— | Such amount as Assessing Officer may impose but not exceeding tax in arrears |
| (a) self-assessment tax, or | ||
| (b) interest and fee, or | ||
| (c) both | ||
| under section 140A(1) | ||
| 158BFA(2) | Determination of undisclosed income of block period | Minimum : 100 per cent of tax leviable in respect of undisclosed income |
| Maximum : 300 per cent of tax leviable in respect of undisclosed income. | ||
| 221(1) | Default in making payment of tax | Such amount as Assessing Officer may impose but not exceeding amount of tax in arrears |
| 234E | Failure to file statement within time prescribed in section 200(3) or in proviso to section 206C(3) | Rs. 200 for every day during which failure continues but not exceeding tax deductible/collectible |
| 234F | Default in furnishing return of income within time prescribed in section 139(1) | Rs. 5,000 if return is furnished after due date specified under section 139(1). However if the total income of the person does not exceed Rs. 5 lakhs then Rs. 1,000 shall be the late filing fees. |
| 234G | Fee for default in submission of statement/certificate prescribed under section 35/ Section 80G | Rs. 200 per day |
| 234H | Fee for default in intimating the Aadhaar Number | a) Rs. 500, if such intimation is made between 01-04-2022 and 30-06-2022; and
b) Rs. 1,000, in all other cases. |
| 270A(1) | Under-reporting and misreporting of income | A sum equal to 50% of the amount of tax payable on under-reported income.
However, if under-reported income is in consequence of any misreporting thereof by any person, the penalty shall be equal to 200% of the amount of tax payable on under-reported income |
| 271A | Failure to keep, maintain, or retain books of account, documents, etc., as required under section 44AA | Rs. 25,000 |
| 271AA(1) | (1) Failure to keep and maintain information and documents required by section 92D(1) or 92D(2) | 2% of value of each international transaction/or specified domestic transaction entered into |
| (2) Failure to report such transaction | ||
| (3) Maintaining or furnishing incorrect information or document | ||
| 271AA(2) | Failure to furnish information and document as required under Section 92D(4) | Rs. 5,00,000/- |
| 271AAA | Where search has been initiated before 1-7-2012 and undisclosed income found | 10% of undisclosed income |
| 271AAB(1) | Where search has been initiated on or after 1-7-2012 but before 15-12-2016 and undisclosed income found | (a) 10% of undisclosed income of the specified previous year if assessee admits the undisclosed income; substantiates the manner in which it was derived; and on or before the specified date pays the tax, together with interest thereon and furnishes the return of income for the specified previous year declaring such undisclosed income |
| (b) 20% of undisclosed income of the specified previous year if assessee does not admit the undisclosed income, and on or before the specified date declare such income in the return of income furnished for the specified previous year and pays the tax, together with interest thereon; | ||
| (c) 60% of undisclosed income of the specified previous year if it is not covered by (a) or (b) above | ||
| 271AAB(1A) | Where search has been initiated on or after 15-12-2016 and undisclosed income found | (a) 30% of undisclosed income of the specified previous year if assessee admits the undisclosed income; substantiates the manner in which it was derived; and on or before the specified date pays the tax, together with interest thereon and furnishes the return of income for the specified previous year declaring such undisclosed income
(b) 60% of undisclosed income of the specified previous year in any other case. |
| 271AAC | Income determined by Assessing Officer or the Commissioner (Appeals) includes any income referred to in section 68, section 69, section 69A, section 69B, section 69C or section 69D for any previous year. [if such income is not included by assessee in his return or tax in accordance with section 115BBE has not been paid] | 10% of tax payable under section 115BBE. |
| 271AAD | Penalty, if during any proceedings under the Act, it is found that in the books of accounts maintained by assessee, there is:
a) A false entry; or b) Any entry relevant for computation of total income of such person has been omitted to evade tax liability. |
100% of such false entries or omitted entry. |
| 271AAE | Penalty for violation of the provisions of 21st proviso to section 10(23C) or section 13(1)(c) pertaining to passing of unreasonable benefits to trustees or specified person | (a) For the first violation: to the extent of income applied by the institution for the benefit of any interested party referred to in section 13(3);
(b) For any violation in subsequent years: twice the amount of such income so applied (“double penalty”). |
| 271B | Failure to get accounts audited or furnish a report of audit as required under section 44AB | One-half per cent of total sales, turnover or gross receipts, etc., or Rs. 1,50,000, which-ever is less |
| 271BA | Failure to furnish a report from an accountant as required by section 92E | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| 271BB | Failure to subscribe any amount to units issued under scheme referred to in section 88A(1) | 20 per cent of such amount |
| 271C | Failure to deduct tax at source, wholly or partly, under sections 192 to 196D (Chapter XVII-B) or failure to pay wholly or partly tax u/s 115-O(2) or proviso to section 194B, or failure to pay or ensure payment of tax as required by 115-O(2), first proviso to section 194R(1), proviso to section 194S(1) or section 194BA(2). | Amount equal to tax not deducted or paid |
| 271CA | Failure to collect tax at source as required under Chapter XVII-BB | Amount equal to tax not collected |
| 271D | Taking or accepting any loan or deposit or specified sum in contravention of the provisions of Section 269SS.
“Specified sum” means any sum of money receivable, whether as advance or otherwise, in relation to transfer of an immovable property, whether or not the transfer takes place. |
Amount equal to loan or deposit or specified sum so taken or accepted |
| 271DA | Receiving an amount of Rs. 2 lakh or more from a person in a day [section 269ST] | Amount equal to such receipt |
| 271DB | Failure to provide facility for accepting payment through prescribed electronic modes of payment as referred to in section 269SU | Rs. 5,000 rupees for every day of default |
| 271E | Repayment of any loan or deposit or specified advance otherwise than in accordance with provision of Section 269T.
“Specified advance” means any sum of money in the nature of advance, by whatever name called, in relation to transfer of an immovable property, whether or not transfer takes place. |
Amount equal to loan or deposit or specified advance so repaid |
| 271FA1 | Failure to furnish an annual information return as required under section 285BA(1)2 | Rs. 500 per day of default |
| Failure to furnish annual information return within the period specified in notice u/s 285BA(5) | Rs. 1,000 per day of default | |
| 271FAA | Furnishing of inaccurate information in statement of financial transaction or reportable account | Rs. 50,000 |
| Furnishing of inaccurate information by reporting financial institution and such inaccuracy is due to false or inaccurate information submitted by the holder of reportable accounts | Rs, 5,000 for every inaccurate reportable account | |
| 271FAB | Section 9A provides that fund management activity carried out by an eligible offshore investment fund through an eligible fund manager acting on behalf of such fund shall not constitute business connection in India (subject to certain conditions).
The provision requires that eligible investment fund shall furnish within 90 days from the end of the financial year a statement, in respect of its activities in a financial year, in the prescribed form containing information relating to fulfilment of specified conditions and such other information or documents as may be prescribed. Penalty to be levied if investment fund failed to comply with the requirement. |
Rs. 5,00,000 |
| 271G3 | Failure to furnish any information or document as required by section 92D(3) | 2% of the value of the international transaction/specified domestic transaction for each failure |
| 271GA | Section 285A provides for reporting by an Indian concern if following two conditions are satisfied:
a) Shares or interest in a foreign company or entity derive substantial value, directly or indirectly, from assets located in India; and b) Such foreign company or entity holds such assets in India through or in such Indian concern. In this case, the Indian entity shall furnish the prescribed information for the purpose of determination of any income accruing or arising in India under Section 9(1)(i). In case of any failure, the Indian concern shall be liable to pay penalty. |
Penalty shall be:
a) a sum equal to 2% of value of transaction in respect of which such failure has taken place, if such transaction had effect of, directly or indirectly, transferring right of management or control in relation to the Indian concern; b) a sum of Rs. 5,00,00 in any other case. |
| 271GB(1) | Failure to furnish report under section 286(2) | Rs. 5,000 per day upto 30 days and Rs. 15,000 per day beyond 30 days |
| 271GB(2) | Failure to produce the information and documents within the period allowed under section 271GB(6) | Rs. 5,000 for every day during which the failure continues. |
| 271GB(3) | Failure to furnish report or failure to produce information/documents under section 286 even after serving order under section 271GB(1) or 271GB(2) | Rs. 50,000 for every day for which such failure continues beginning from the date of serving such order. |
| 271GB(4) | Failure to inform about inaccuracy in report furnish under section 286(2)
Or furnishing of inaccurate information or document in response to notice issued under section 286(6). |
Rs. 5,00,000 |
| 271H4 | Failure to deliver/cause to be delivered a statement within the time prescribed in section 200(3) or the proviso to section 206C(3), or furnishes incorrect information in the statement | W.e.f. 1-10-2014 Assessing Officer may direct payment of penalty. Penalty shall not be less than Rs. 10,000 but may extend to Rs. 1,00,000 |
| 271K | Penalty of default in submission of statement/certificate prescribed under section 35/Section 80G | Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1 lakh |
| 271-I | As per section 195(6) of the Act, any person responsible for paying to a non-resident or to a foreign company, any sum (whether or not chargeable to tax), shall furnish the information relating to such payment in Form 15CA and 15CB. Penalty shall be levied in case of any failure. | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| 271J | Furnished incorrect information in any report or certificate by an accountant or a merchant banker or a registered valuer | Rs. 10,000 for each incorrect report or certificate |
| 272A(1) | Refusal or failure to : | Rs. 10,000 for each failure/default |
| (a) answer questions | ||
| (b) sign statement | ||
| (c) attend to give evidence or produce books of account, etc., in compliance with summons under section 131(1) | ||
| (d) comply with notice u/s 142(1), 143(2) or failure to comply with direction issued u/s 142(2A). | ||
| 272A(2) | Failure to : | |
| (a) furnish requisite information in respect of securities as required under section 94(6) ; | Rs. 500 for every day during which the failure continues. (In respect of penalty for failure, in relation to a declaration mentioned in section 197A, a certificate as required by section 203 and returns u/ss 206 and 206C and statements under Section 200(2A) or section 200(3) or proviso to section 206C(3) or section 206C(3A), penalty shall not exceed amount of tax deductible or collectible) | |
| (b) give notice of discontinuance of business or profession as required under section 176(3) ; | ||
| (c) furnish in due time returns, statements or certificates, deliver de-claration, allow inspection, etc., under sections 133, 134, 139(4A), 139(4C), 192(2C),197A, 203, 206, 206C, 206C(1A) and 285B; | ||
| (d) deduct and pay tax under section 226(2) | ||
| (e) file a copy of the prescribed statement within the time specified in section 200(3) or the proviso to section 206C(3) (up to 1-7-2012) | ||
| (f) file the prescribed statement within the time specified in section 206A(1) | ||
| (g) Failure to deliver or cause to be delivered a statement under Section 200(2A) or Section 206C(3A) within prescribed time.
With effect from June 1, 2015, it is mandatory for an office of the Government, paying TDS or TCS, as the case may be, without production of a challan, to deliver a statement in the prescribed form and manner to the prescribed authority. |
||
| 272AA(1) | Failure to comply with section 133B | Not exceeding Rs. 1,000 |
| 272B | Failure to comply with provisions relating to PAN or Aadhaar as referred to in section 139A/139A(5)(c)/(5A)/(5C) | Rs. 10,000 for each default |
| 272BB(1) | Failure to comply with section 203A | Rs. 10,000 for each failure/default |
| 272BB(1A) | Quoting false tax deduction account number /tax collection account number/ tax deduction and collection account number in challans/certificates/ statements/documents referred to in section 203A(2) | Rs. 10,000 |
Note : No penalty is imposable for any failure under sections 271(1)(b), 271A, 271AA, 271B, 271BA, 271BB, 271C, 271CA, 271D, 271E, 271F, 271FA, 271FAB, 271FB, 271G, 271GA, 271GB, 271H, 271-I, 272A(1)(c) or (d), 272A(2), 272AA(1), 272B, 272BB(1), 272BB(1A), 272BBB(1), 273(1)(b), 273(2)(b) and 273(2)(c) if the person or assessee proves that there was reasonable cause for such failure (section 273B).
Section 273AA provides that a person may make application to the Principal Commissioner/Commissioner for granting immunity from penalty, if (a) he has made an application for settlement under section 245C and the proceedings for settlement have abated; and (b) penalty proceeding have been initiated under this Act. The application shall not be made after the imposition of penalty after abatement.
OFFENCES AND PROSECUTIONS
| Section | Nature of default | Punishment (rigorous imprisonment) | Fine |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
| 275A | Contravention of order made under section 132(1) (Second Proviso) or 132(3) in case of search and seizure | Up to 2 years | No limit |
| 275B | Failure to afford necessary facility to authorised officer to inspect books of account or other documents as required under section 132(1)(iib) | Up to 2 years | No limit |
| 276 | Removal, concealment, transfer or delivery of property to thwart tax recovery | Up to 2 years | No limit |
| 276A | Failure to comply with provisions of section 178(1) and (3) re : company in liquidation | 6 months to 2 years | — |
| 276B | Failure to pay to credit of Central Government (i) tax deducted at source under Chapter XVII-B (non-cognizable offence under section 279A), or proviso to section 194B, or failure to pay or ensure payment of tax as required by section 115O(2), first proviso to section 194R(1), proviso to section 194S(1) or section 194BA(2). | 3 months to 7 years | No limit |
| 276BB | Failure to pay the tax collected under the provisions of section 206C | 3 months to 7 years | No limit |
| 276C(1) | Wilful attempt to evade tax, penalty or interest or under-reporting of Income (non-cognizable offence under section 279A)— | ||
| (a) where tax sought to be evaded exceeds Rs. 1 lakh (Rs. 25 lakh w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | 6 months to 7 years | No limit | |
| (b) in other cases | 3 months to 3 years (2 years w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | No limit | |
| 276C(2) | Wilful attempt to evade payment of any tax, penalty or interest (non-cognizable offence under section 279A) | 3 months to 3 years (2 years w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | No limit |
| 276CC | Wilful failure to furnish returns of fringe benefits under section 115WD/ 115WH or return of income under section 139(1) or under section 139(8A) or in response to notice under section 142(1)(i) or section 148 or section 153A (non-cognizable offence under section 279A)— | ||
| (a) where tax sought to be evaded exceeds Rs. 1 lakh (Rs. 25 lakh w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | 6 months to 7 years | No limit | |
| (b) in other cases
Note : *** A person shall not be liable to be prosecuted under this section if he furnishes the return before expiry of assessment year or the tax payable by such person, not being a company, as reduced by the advance tax self-assessment tax paid before expiry of the assessment year, TDS and TCS, does not exceed Rs. 10,000. |
3 months to 3 years (2 years w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | No limit | |
| 276CCC | Wilful failure to furnish in due time return of total income required to be furnished by notice u/s 158BC(a) | 3 months to 3 years | No limit |
| 276D6 | Wilful failure to produce accounts and documents under section 142(1) or to comply with a notice under section 142(2A) | Up to 1 year | 7Rs. 4 to Rs. 10 for every day of default |
| 277 | False statement in verification or delivery of false account, etc. (non-cognizable offence under section 279A) | ||
| (a) where tax sought to be evaded exceeds Rs. 1 lakh (Rs. 25 lakh w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | 6 months to 7 years | No limit | |
| (b) in other cases | 3 months to 3 years (2 years w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | No limit | |
| 277A | Falsification of books of account or document, etc., to enable any other person to evade any tax, penalty or interest chargeable/leviable under the Act | 3 months to 3 years (2 years w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | No limit |
| 278 | Abetment of false return, account, statement or declaration relating to any income or fringe benefits chargeable to tax (non-cognizable offence under section 279A) | ||
| (a) where tax, penalty or interest sought to be evaded exceeds Rs. 1 lakh (Rs. 25 lakh w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | 6 months to 7 years | No limit | |
| (b) in other cases | 3 months to 3 years (2 years w.e.f. 1-7-2012) | No limit | |
| 278A | Second and subsequent offences under sections 276B, 276BB, 276C(1), 276CC,276DD, 276E, 277 or 278 | 6 months to 7 years | No limit |
| 280(1) | Disclosure of particulars by public servants in contravention of section 138(2) [Prosecution to be instituted with previous sanction of Central Government under section 280(2)] | Up to 6 months (simple/rigorous) | No limit |
Notes :
1. No person is punishable for any failure under section 276A, 276ABor 276Bif he proves that there was reasonable cause for such failure (vide section 278AA).
2. (a) Prosecution for offences under section 275A, section 275B, section 276, section 276A, section 276B, section 276BB, section 276C, section 276CC, section 276D, section 277, section 277Aand section 278to be instituted with previous sanction of Principal Director General/Principal Chief Commissioner/Principal Commissioner/Director General/Chief Commissioner/Commissioner, except where prosecution is at the instance of the Commissioner (Appeals) or the appropriate authority (vide section 279).
(b) The offences under Chapter XXII can be compounded (either before or after the institution of proceedings) by Principal Director General/Director General or Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner.
3. Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a person, being a company, and the punishment for such offence is imprisonment and fine, then, such company shall be punished with fine and every person, referred to in sub-section (1) of section 278B, or the director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company referred to in sub-section (2) of section 278Bshall be liable to be proceeded against and punished in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
4. With effect from 1-4-2008 under section 278ABa person may apply to the Principal Commissioner/Commissioner for granting immunity from prosecution, if he has applied for settlement under section 245Cand the proceedings have abated under section 245HA. The application shall not be made after institution of prosecution proceedings after abatement.
1. With effect from assessment year 2015-16 “annual information return” has been changed to “statement of financial transaction or reportable account” and word “return” has been changed to “statement”.
2. With effect from assessment year 2015-16 a new section 271FAAhas been inserted to provide for a penalty of Rs. 50,000 for furnishing inaccurate statement of financial transaction or reportable account in certain cases.
3. With effect from 1-10-2014 TPO can also levy penalty.
4. Section 271Has amended with effect from 1-10-2014 provides that penalty shall be levied by Assessing Officer.
5. Non-operative with effect from 1-7-2002.
6. With effect from October 1, 2014, if a person wilfully fails to produce accounts and documents as stated or wilfully fails to comply with the direction given, he shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and with fine (quantum of fine has not been specified).
7. No limit w.e.f. 1-10-2014.
[As Amended by Finance Act, 2024]
(Republished with Amendment, Source -Income Tax Website)
sir mere upar 271E ka penalty laga hai .meri financial status thik nahi.maine Mahindra finance me 231523 cash bhara tha 2013 me wo bhi maine wife ka jwellery.kheet ka anaj aur karib 7 logo se udhar leke cash payment Kiya tha usi ka mere upar 231523 penalty Laga hai.mai penalty nahi bhar sakta.mai penalty bharne k liye jail ki jitni din ki saja ho.mai ready hu.
If addition made under Section 115 BBE and then penalty imposed under 271AAC(1), will this attract prosecution provisions as well ?
If yes, is it compoundable. If compoundable, what percentage has to be paid ?
Would much appreciate to have your rep
Whats the way of serving notice under section 271(1)(C) of the Income Tax Act 1961.)? Do these officers send notice from private email ids like gmail? Kindly answer
I want to know if a case open u/s 201 and close with some penalties. AO knowingly not assess the point like Shown reduced income of employees, Rebate without supporting document HRA, Medical, Phone reimbursement etc and health insurance. I want to know can this case may open again? if yes then under which sction or rule of income tax act.