Clause 49 - Substitution of new Chapter for Chapter XIV-B. - Finance (No. 2) Bill, 2024

Substitution of new Chapter for Chapter XIV-B. 49. For Chapter XIV-B of the Income-tax Act, the following Chapter shall be substituted with effect from the 1st day of September, 2024, namely: CHAPTER XIV-B SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR ASSESSMENT OF SEARCH CASES Definitions. 158B. In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) block period means the period comprising previous years relevant to six assessment years preceding the previous year in which the search was initiated under section 132 or any requisition was made under section 132A and also includes the period starting from the 1st day of April of the previous year in which search was initiated or requisition was made and ending on the date of the execution of the last of the authorisations for such search or such requisition; (b) undisclosed income includes any money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing or any expenditure or any income based on any entry in the books of account or other documents or transactions, where such money, bullion, jewellery, valuable article, thing, entry in the books of account or other document or transaction represents wholly or partly income or property which has not been or would not have been disclosed for the purposes of this Act, or any expense, deduction or allowance claimed under this Act which is found to be incorrect, in respect of the block period. Explanation . For the purposes of this Chapter, the last of the authorisations shall be deemed to have been executed, (a) in the case of search, on the conclusion of search as recorded in the last panchnama drawn in relation to any person in whose case the warrant of authorisation has been issued; (b) in the case of requisition under section 132A, on the actual receipt of the books of account or other documents or assets by the Authorised Officer. Assessment of total income as a result of search. 158BA. (1) Notwithstanding anything in any other provisions of this Act, where on or after the 1st day of September, 2024, a search is initiated under section 132, or books of account, other documents or any assets are requisitioned under section 132A, in the case of any person, then, the Assessing Officer shall proceed to assess or reassess the total income of the block period in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. (2) The assessment or reassessment or recomputation under the provisions of this Act (other than this Chapter), if any, pertaining to any assessment year falling in the block period, pending on the date of initiation of the search under section 132, or making of requisition under section 132A, as the case may be, shall abate and shall be deemed to have abated on the date of initiation of search or making of requisition. (3) Where during the course of any pending proceeding for the assessment or reassessment or recomputation under the provisions of this Act (other than this Chapter), a reference under sub-section (1) of section 92CA has been made, or an order under sub-section (3) of section 92CA has been passed, such assessment or reassessment or recomputation, along with such reference made or order passed, as the case may be, shall also abate and shall be deemed to have abated on the date of initiation of search or making of requisition. (4) Where any assessment under the provisions of this Chapter is pending in the case of an assessee in whose case a subsequent search is initiated, or a requisition is made, such assessment shall be duly completed, and thereafter, the assessment in respect of such subsequent search or requisition shall be made under the provisions of this Chapter: Provided that in a case where the period of completing the assessment in respect of subsequent search is less than three months such period shall be extended to three months from the end of the month in which the assessment in respect of the earlier search was completed. (5) If any proceeding initiated under this Chapter or any order of assessment or reassessment made under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC has been annulled in appeal or any other legal proceeding, then, notwithstanding anything in this Chapter or section 153, the assessment or reassessment relating to any assessment year which has abated under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3), shall revive with effect from the date of receipt of the order of such annulment by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner: Provided that such revival shall cease to have effect, if such order of annulment is set aside. (6) The total income (other than undisclosed income) of the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which the last of the authorisations for a search is executed or a requisition is made, shall be assessed separately in accordance with the other provisions of this Act. (7) The total income relating to the block period shall be charged to tax, at the rate specified in section 113, as income of the block period irrespective of the previous year or years to which such income relates. Computation of total income of block period. 158BB. (1) The total income referred to in sub-section (1) of section 158BA of the block period shall be the aggregate of the following, namely: (i) total income disclosed in the return furnished under section 158BC; (ii) total income assessed under sub-section (3) of section 143 or section 144 or section 147 or section 153A or section 153C prior to the date of initiation of the search or the date of requisition, as the case may be; (iii) total income declared in the return of income filed under section 139 or in response to a notice under sub-section (1) of section 142 or section 148 and not covered under clause (i) or clause (ii); (iv) total income determined where the previous year has not ended, on the basis of entries relating to such income or transactions as recorded in the books of account and other documents maintained in the normal course on or before the date of last of the authorisations for the search or requisition relating to such previous year; (v) undisclosed income determined by the Assessing Officer under sub-section (2). (2) The undisclosed income falling within the block period, forming part of the total income referred to in sub-section (1) of section 158BA, shall be computed in accordance with the provisions of this Act, on the basis of evidence found as a result of search or survey or requisition of books of account or other documents and such other materials or informations as are either available with the Assessing Officer or come to his notice during the course of proceedings under this Chapter. (3) Where any evidence found as a result of search or requisition of books of account or other documents and such other materials or informations as are either available with the Assessing Officer or come to his notice during the course of proceedings under this Chapter, or determined on the basis of entries relating to such income or transactions as recorded in books of account and other documents maintained in the normal course on or before the date of the search or requisition, relates to any international transaction or specified domestic transaction referred to in section 92CA, pertaining to the period beginning from the 1st day of April of the previous year in which last of the authorisations was executed and ending with the date on which last of the authorisations was executed, such evidence shall not be considered for the purposes of determining the total income of the block period and such income shall be considered in the assessment made under the other provisions of this Act. (4) For the purposes of determination of undisclosed income, (a) of a firm, such income assessed for each of the previous years falling within the block period shall be the income determined before allowing deduction of salary, interest, commission, bonus or remuneration by whatever name called to any partner not being a working partner; (b) the provisions of sections 68, 69, 69A, 69B and 69C shall, so far as may be, apply and references to financial year in those sections shall be construed as references to the relevant previous year falling in the block period; (c) the provisions of section 92CA shall, so far as may be, apply and references to previous year in that section shall be construed as reference to the relevant previous year falling in the block period excluding the period referred to in sub-section (3). (5) The tax referred to in sub-section (7) of section 158BA shall be charged on the total income determined in the manner specified in sub-section (1) as reduced by the total income referred to in clause (ii), clause (iii) and clause (iv) of sub-section (1). (6) For the purposes of sub-section (1) and sub-section (5), if the disclosed income under clause (i) of sub-section (1) or where the income disclosed in respect of any previous year comprising the block period, or the returned income or assessed income under clause (ii) or clause (iii) of sub-section (1) or where the income as determined under clause (iv), is a loss, it shall be ignored. (7) For the purposes of assessment under this Chapter, losses brought forward from the previous year (prior to the first previous year comprising the block period) under Chapter VI or unabsorbed depreciation under sub-section (2) of section 32 shall not be set off against the undisclosed income determined in the block assessment under this Chapter but may be carried forward for being set off in the previous year subsequent to the assessment year in which the block period ends, for the remaining period, taking into account the block period and such assessment year, and in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Procedure for block assessment. 158BC. (1) Where any search has been initiated under section 132 or books of account, other documents or assets are requisitioned under section 132A, in the case of any person, then, (a) the Assessing Officer shall, in respect of search initiated, or books of account or other documents or any assets requisitioned, on or after the 1st day of September, 2024, issue a notice to such person, requiring him to furnish within such period, not exceeding a period of sixty days, as may be specified in the notice, a return in the form and verified in the manner, as may be prescribed, setting forth his total income, including the undisclosed income, for the block period: Provided that such return shall be considered as if it was a return furnished under the provisions of section 139 and notice under sub-section (2) of section 143 shall thereafter be issued: Provided further that any return of income, required to be furnished by an assessee under this section and furnished beyond the period allowed in the notice shall not be deemed to be a return under section 139: Provided also that no notice under section 148 is required to be issued for the purpose of proceeding under this Chapter: Provided also that a person who has furnished a return under this clause shall not be entitled to furnish a revised return; (b) the Assessing Officer shall proceed to determine the total income including the undisclosed income of the block period in the manner laid down in section 158BB and the provisions of section 142, sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 143, section 144, section 145, section 145A and section 145B shall, so far as may be, apply; (c) the Assessing Officer, on determination of the total income of the block period in accordance with this Chapter, shall pass an order of assessment or reassessment and determine the tax payable by him on the basis of such assessment or reassessment: Provided that nothing in the provisions of section 144C shall apply in respect of such order: Provided further that where the order of assessment or reassessment is made in pursuance of section 158BD, the block period for such assessment or reassessment shall be the same as that determined in respect of the person in whose case search was made under section 132, or whose books of account or other documents or any assets were requisitioned under section 132A, and proceedings under section 158BD were initiated due to such search or requisition, as the case may be; (d) the assets seized under section 132 or requisitioned under section 132A shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of section 132B. (2) The provisions of sub-section (1) of section 143 shall not apply to the return furnished under this section. (3) The Assessing Officer, before issuance of notice under clause (a) of sub-section (1), shall take prior approval of the Additional Commissioner or the Additional Director or the Joint Commissioner or the Joint Director, as the case may be. Undisclosed income of any other person. 158BD. Where the Assessing Officer is satisfied that any undisclosed income belongs to or pertains to or relates to any person, other than the person with respect to whom search was made under section 132 or whose books of account or other documents or any assets were requisitioned under section 132A, then, any money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing, or assets, or expenditure, or books of account, other documents, or any information contained therein, seized or requisitioned shall be handed over to the Assessing Officer having jurisdiction over such other person and that Assessing Officer shall proceed under section 158BC against such other person and the provisions of this Chapter shall apply accordingly. Time-limit for completion of block assessment. 158BE. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 153, the order under section 158BC shall be passed within twelve months from the end of the month in which the last of the authorisations for search under section 132, or requisition under section 132A, was executed or made, as the case may be: Provided that in a case where search under section 132 was initiated, or requisition under section 132A was made, and during the course of the proceedings for the assessment or reassessment of the total income of the relevant block period, any reference under sub-section (1) of section 92CA is made, the period available for making an order of assessment or reassessment in respect of the block period shall be extended by twelve months. (2) In computing the period of limitation under sub-section (1), the period (not exceeding one hundred and eighty days) commencing from the date on which a search is initiated under section 132 or a requisition is made under section 132A and ending on the date on which the books of account, or other documents or money or bullion or jewellery or other valuable article or thing seized under section 132 or requisitioned under section 132A, as the case may be, are handed over to the Assessing Officer having jurisdiction over the assessee, in whose case such search is initiated under section 132 or such requisition is made under section 132A, as the case may be, shall be excluded: Provided that where after exclusion of the period referred to in this sub-section, the period of limitation for making an order of assessment or reassessment, as the case may be, expires before the end of a month, such period shall be extended to the end of such month. (3) The period of limitation for completion of assessment or reassessment for the block period in the case of the other person referred to in section 158BD shall be twelve months from the end of the month in which the notice under section 158BC in pursuance of section 158BD, was issued to such other person: Provided that in case where during the course of the proceedings for the assessment of undisclosed income of the block period in case of other person referred to in section 158BD, a reference under sub-section (1) of section 92CA is made, the period available for making an order of assessment in respect of the block period in case of such other person shall be extended by twelve months. (4) In computing the period of limitation under this section, the following period shall be excluded, (i) the period during which the assessment proceeding is stayed by an order or injunction of any court; or (ii) the period commencing from the date on which a reference or first of the references for exchange of information is made by an authority competent under an agreement referred to in section 90 or section 90A and ending with the date on which the information requested is last received by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner or a period of one year, whichever is less; or (iii) the time taken in reopening the whole or any part of the proceeding or giving an opportunity to the assessee to be re-heard under the proviso to section 129; or (iv) the period commencing from the date on which the Assessing Officer directs the assessee to get his accounts audited or inventory valued under sub-section (2A) of section 142 and (a) ending with the last date on which the assessee is required to furnish a report of such audit or inventory valuation under that sub-section; or (b) where such direction is challenged before a court, ending with the date on which the order setting aside such direction is received by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner; or (v) the period commencing from the date on which the Assessing Officer makes a reference to the Valuation Officer under sub-section (1) of section 142A and ending with the date on which the report of the Valuation Officer is received by the Assessing Officer; or (vi) the period commencing from the date on which the Assessing Officer intimates the Central Government or the prescribed authority, the contravention of the provisions of clause (21) or clause (22B) or clause (23A) or clause (23B) of section 10, under sub-clause (i) of the first proviso to sub-section (3) of section 143 and ending with the date on which the copy of the order withdrawing the approval or rescinding the notification, as the case may be, under those clauses is received by the Assessing Officer; or (vii) the period commencing from the date on which the Assessing Officer makes a reference to the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner under the second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 143 and ending with the date on which the copy of the order under clause (ii) or clause (iii) of the fifteenth proviso to clause (23C) of section 10 or clause (ii) or clause (iii) of sub-section (4) of section 12AB, as the case may be, is received by the Assessing Officer; or (viii) the period commencing from the date on which a reference for declaration of an arrangement to be an impermissible avoidance arrangement is received by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner under sub-section (1) of section 144BA and ending on the date on which a direction under sub-section (3) or sub-section (6) or an order under sub-section (5) of the said section is received by the Assessing Officer; or (ix) the period commencing from the date on which an application is made before the Authority for Advance Rulings or before the Board for Advance Rulings under sub-section (1) of section 245Q and ending with the date on which the order rejecting the application is received by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner under sub-section (3) of section 245R; or (x) the period commencing from the date on which an application is made before the Authority for Advance Rulings or before the Board for Advance Rulings under sub-section (1) of section 245Q and ending with the date on which the advance ruling pronounced by it is received by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner under sub-section (7) of section 245R: Provided that where immediately after the exclusion of the aforesaid period, the period of limitation referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (3) available to the Assessing Officer for making an order under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC is less than sixty days, such remaining period shall be extended to sixty days and the aforesaid period of limitation shall be deemed to be extended accordingly: Provided further that where after extension of the period referred to in the first proviso, the period of limitation for making an order of assessment or reassessment, as the case may be, expires before the end of a month, such period shall be extended to the end of such month. Certain interests and penalties not to be levied or imposed. 158BF. No interest under section 234A, 234B or 234C or penalty under section 270A shall be levied or imposed upon the assessee in respect of the undisclosed income assessed or reassessed for the block period. Levy of interest and penalty in certain cases. 158BFA. (1) Where the return of total income including undisclosed income for the block period, in respect of search initiated under section 132, or books of account, other documents or any assets requisitioned under section 132A, on or after the 1st day of September, 2024, as required by a notice under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC, is not furnished within the time specified in such notice, or is not furnished, the assessee shall be liable to pay simple interest at the rate of one and one-half per cent. of the tax on undisclosed income determined under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC, for every month or part of a month comprised in the period commencing on the day immediately following the expiry of the time specified in the notice, and ending on the date of completion of assessment under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC. (2) The Assessing Officer or the Commissioner (Appeals) in the course of any proceedings under this Chapter, may direct that the person shall pay by way of penalty a sum which shall be equal to fifty per cent. of tax so leviable in respect of the undisclosed income determined by the Assessing Officer under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC: Provided that no order imposing penalty under this section or sub-section (1) of section 271AAD or section 271D or section 271DA or section 271E shall be made for the block period in respect of a person if (i) such person has furnished a return under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC; (ii) the tax payable on the basis of such return has been paid or, if the assets seized consist of money, the assessee offers the money so seized to be adjusted against the tax payable; (iii) evidence of tax paid is furnished along with the return; and (iv) an appeal is not filed against the assessment of that part of income which is shown in the return: Provided further that the provisions of the first proviso shall not apply where the undisclosed income determined by the Assessing Officer is in excess of the income shown in the return and in such cases the penalty shall be imposed on that portion of undisclosed income determined which is in excess of the amount of income shown in the return. (3) No order imposing a penalty under sub-section (2) shall be made, (a) unless an assessee has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard; (b) by the Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner or the Deputy Director or Assistant Director, as the case may be, where the amount of penalty exceeds two lakh rupees except with the previous approval of the Additional Commissioner or the Additional Director or the Joint Commissioner or the Joint Director, as the case may be; (c) in a case where the assessment is the subject-matter of an appeal to the Commissioner (Appeals) under section 246A or an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal under section 253, after the expiry of the financial year in which the proceedings, in the course of which action for the imposition of penalty has been initiated, are completed, or six months from the end of the financial year in which the order of the Commissioner (Appeals) or, as the case may be, the Appellate Tribunal is received by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner, whichever period expires later; (d) in a case where the assessment is the subject-matter of revision under section 263, after the expiry of six months from the end of the financial year in which such order of revision is passed; (e) in any case other than those mentioned in clause (c) and clause (d), after the expiry of the financial year in which the proceedings, in the course of which notice for the imposition of penalty has been issued, are completed, or six months from the end of the financial year in which notice for imposition of penalty is issued, whichever period expires later. (4) In computing the period of limitation under this section, the following period shall be excluded For the purposes of this section, (i) the time taken in giving an opportunity to the assessee to be reheard under the proviso to section 129; or (ii) the period during which the proceedings under sub-section (2) are stayed by an order or injunction of any court: Provided that where immediately after the exclusion of the aforesaid period, the period of limitation referred to in sub-section (3) available to the Assessing Officer for making an order under sub-section (2) of this section is less than sixty days, such remaining period shall be extended to sixty days and the aforesaid period of limitation shall be deemed to be extended accordingly: Provided further that where after exclusion of the period referred to in the first proviso, the period of limitation for making of an order for imposition of penalty expires before the end of a month, such period shall be extended to the end of such month. (5) An income-tax authority on making an order under sub-section (2) imposing a penalty, unless he is himself an Assessing Officer, shall forthwith send a copy of such order to the Assessing Officer. Authority competent to make assessment of block period. 158BG. The order of assessment for the block period shall be passed by an Assessing Officer not below the rank of a Deputy Commissioner or an Assistant Commissioner or a Deputy Director or an Assistant Director, as the case may be: Provided that no such order shall be passed without the previous approval of the Additional Commissioner or the Additional Director or the Joint Commissioner or the Joint Director, as the case may be, in respect of search initiated under section 132, or books of account, other documents or any assets requisitioned under section 132A, on or after the 1st day of September, 2024 . Application of other provisions of this Act. 158BH. Save as otherwise provided in this Chapter, all other provisions of this Act shall apply to assessment made under this Chapter. Chapter not to apply in certain circumstances. 158BI. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply where a search was initiated under section 132, or books of account, other documents or any assets were requisitioned under section 132A, before the 1st day of September, 2024, and proceedings in relation to such search or requisition, as the case may be, shall be governed by the other provisions of this Act. .