If the payer does not deduct tax at source, will the payee face any adverse consequences by means of action taken by the Income-tax Department?

Ans. It is the duty and responsibility of the payer to deduct tax at source. If the payer fails to deduct tax at source, then the payee will not have to face any adverse consequences. However, in such a case, the payee will have to discharge his tax liability. Thus, failure of the payer to deduct tax at source will not relieve the payee from payment of tax on his income.