Filed your ITR? Here’s how to check for notices and avoid costly penalties

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After filing your ITR, you’ve got an Income Tax notice? Here’s what to do

Filed your return and now worried about a notice landing in your inbox? Here’s a simple breakdown of why notices happen, how to spot fake ones, and what steps to take before deadlines slip by.

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How to Check? Step 1: Log in and check your dashboard

Head to the Income Tax e-Filing Portal and log in using your PAN, Aadhaar, or User ID. Any notices sent to you will show up under “Pending Actions” or the “e-Proceedings” section — don’t wait for an email, check directly on the portal regularly.

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4 common reasons you might get flagged

Notices usually stem from mismatches between your return and your Annual Information Statement or Form 26AS, incomplete filings, failure to e-verify your return on time, or an outstanding tax demand identified during processing. Knowing the reason helps you respond correctly.

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Before you panic, confirm it’s real

Every genuine notice carries a Document Identification Number (DIN). Use the “Authenticate Notice/Order” tool on the official portal to confirm it’s legitimate before taking any action — this helps you avoid falling for scam messages pretending to be from the tax department.

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Even after your refund lands, you’re not fully in the clear

Getting a refund doesn’t mean your filing is closed forever. The department can still select your return for detailed scrutiny due to data mismatches, unusually high deductions, large cash deposits, frequent revisions, or simply random computer-based selection.

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Section 143(1), the most common notice: Confirming your return or flagging a demand

After filing, most taxpayers receive an intimation under Section 143(1), confirming your return was accepted, approving a refund, or raising a tax demand due to discrepancies. If everything matches your records, no action is needed — but any mismatch should be checked immediately.

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Disagree with a demand? Here’s how to respond

If the numbers look wrong, identify the reason first; common culprits are incorrect TDS reporting or missing income. You can then submit an online response, file a rectification request under Section 154, or file a revised return, all through the e-filing portal.

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Don’t miss the deadline; penalties add up fast

Most demands must be paid within 30 days, while flagged mismatches typically give you 15-30 days to respond. Miss the deadline and you could face mounting interest, future refunds getting adjusted against the demand, or even recovery proceedings. Act early, not last-minute.