The Most Common 2026 Notices We Resolve

The department is currently targeting five specific areas. If you fit into any of these, you need a professional response immediately:

1. The “Excess Refund” & Deduction Scrutiny

Many salaried employees are receiving notices for claiming excess HRA, Leave Encashment, or bogus Political Donations that don’t match their employer’s records or the AIS (Annual Information Statement). If you claimed a refund without valid receipts, the department will demand the tax back with 200% penalty.

2. Property Sales & “Guideline Value” Mismatch

Sold a property? If the Sale Consideration you disclosed is lower than the Stamp Duty Value (SRO Value), Section 50C is triggered. We help you justify the difference or represent you before the Valuation Officer to save you from paying tax on “Notional Profits.”

3. The Crypto & VDA (Virtual Digital Asset) Trap

The department now receives data directly from exchanges. If you traded in Crypto but didn’t pay the flat 30% tax or didn’t disclose the income, you will receive a scrutiny notice. We reconcile your exchange data with the TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary) to fix the gaps.

4. Cash Deposits & “Unexplained Money”

Deposited cash during the year? If the deposits don’t align with your known income sources, Section 68 notices are issued. We help you prepare a Source of Income Statement to prove the legality of your cash holdings.

The “Notice-to-Closure” Flow Chart

We handle the entire process digitally, so you never have to visit the Income Tax office.

1. Technical Audit: We cross-verify your notice with your 26AS, AIS, and TIS.
2. Evidence Gathering: We collect bank statements, sale deeds, and donation receipts.
3. Drafting: We draft a legal response citing the latest Judicial Precedents to favor your case.
4. Submission: We file the response through the Faceless Assessment portal.
5. Follow-up: We handle any “Video Conferencing” or clarification queries until the case is closed.

Tax Defense FAQ

Q: I ignored a notice for 30 days. Am I in trouble?

Yes, but it’s fixable. Ignoring a notice leads to an “Ex-Parte Assessment,” where the officer calculates a high tax amount themselves. We can help you file a “Condonation of Delay” and submit your defense immediately.

Q: My notice says “Income Escaping Assessment” (Section 148). What is it?

This is serious. It means the department has proof of income you didn’t disclose (like a property sale or a high-value FD). We help you file a “Return in Response to Notice” and justify the source to avoid prosecution.

Q: How much does it cost to settle a notice?

Our fees depend on the complexity. A simple clarification starts at ₹5,000, while complex scrutiny or capital gains defense is based on the demand value. We always provide a fixed quote after the first free consultation.

How to Submit Your Notice to Us

Don’t let a notice sit on your desk. The clock starts the moment the email hits your inbox. To begin your defense, we need three things:

1. The Full Notice PDF: Download it from the “e-Proceedings” section of your portal.
2. Portal Access: Your PAN and Password (to check the underlying data the department is seeing).
3. Supporting “Truth” Documents: Depending on the notice, this includes your Bank Statements, Capital Gains Statements (Zerodha/Groww), or Donation Receipts.

Defense Timeline & Transparent Fees

We value speed. A delayed response is an automatic “Admission of Guilt” in the eyes of the AI.

• Day 1: Technical Audit. We analyze the notice against your AIS/TIS and 26AS to find the exact mismatch.
• Day 2: Drafting the Defense. We prepare a point-by-point rebuttal with legal citations.
• Day 3: E-Filing. We submit the response on the portal and share the acknowledgment with you.

Our Fee Structure (2026 Professional Rates):

• Basic Clarification (Sec 143(1) / 139(9)): ₹4,499*
• Capital Gains / High-Value Transaction Defense: ₹6,999 – ₹14,999*
• Scrutiny / Reassessment (Sec 143(2) / 148): Quote based on complexity.

What if the IT Office Rejects the Response?

Sometimes, an Assessing Officer (AO) may not be satisfied. We don’t stop there. If the first response is rejected, we move to the Appellate Stage:

1. Rectification (u/s 154): If it’s a clear clerical error by the department, we file for a mistake apparent from the record.
2. CIT (Appeals) – Form 35: We file a formal appeal before the Commissioner (Appeals) within 30 days of the unfavorable order.
3. Stay of Demand: We apply for a stay so you don’t have to pay the disputed tax while the appeal is pending.

Salaried “Refund Seeker” FAQ

“I claimed ₹2 Lakh extra deduction than my Form 16. Will I get a notice?”

Expert Answer: If you have valid receipts for HRA, 80C, or 80D that you didn’t submit to your HR, you are 100% legal. However, the AI will flag the Mismatch between ITR and Form 16. We help you file with a “Technical Note” so the refund is processed without a manual audit.

“I received a notice for ‘Leave Encashment’ after switching jobs. Why?”

Expert Answer: Leave encashment is only exempt up to ₹25 Lakhs (updated limit) for non-govt employees. If both your old and new employers gave you encashment, they might have both given you the full exemption. We help you recalculate the combined exemption to avoid a “Tax Evasion” notice.

“Can I claim donations made to political parties in June?”

Expert Answer: Yes, under Section 80GGC. But beware: the department is cracking down on “Bogus Donations” used for money laundering. We only file these if you have a valid **Bank Transfer Record** and the **Party’s PAN**. Never claim cash donations—they are an instant notice trigger.