Received Notice from Income Tax Department without DIN? It may be Fake, Know how to check

Introduction

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in October 2019 launched a computer-generated Documentation Identification Number (DIN) system which provided for a transparent and recorded communication between the income tax department and taxpayers. 

From October 1, 2019 onwards, every CBDT communication was required to have a documentation identification number. A DIN is mandatory for every type of communication with the income tax department, be it a notice, a letter, an order and summon, or any other correspondence. Without it, the document and communication will be deemed invalid.

In the event of the launch of the platform “Transparent Taxation – Honoring the Honest” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, FM Sitharaman said that any communication from the Income Tax Department without a computer-generated DIN will be invalid and would not stand in the eyes of law.

Explaining the intent behind the government’s move toward Faceless Assessments and appeals, the Finance Minister underlined that the changes will ease the compliance burden, bring in a fair objective and there shall not be any physical interface between the department and the taxpayer, which will bring in the certainty of information. She added that the faceless tax scrutiny assessment and appeal would help ease the compliance burden of taxpayers and increase fairness and objectivity in the tax system.

What are the benefits of Document Identification Number (DIN)?

DIN provides the following advantages to the taxpayers:

1. Greater transparency and improvement in service delivery by the Income Tax Department
2. Maintenance of a detailed record of the responses with respect to any communication issued by the Income Tax Department
3. Protects the Rights of the Taxpayers

In case if one has any doubts on the authenticity of a communication received by the Income Tax Department, they can even check all details online on the income tax department’s website

Step wise procedure to check the validity of an Income Tax Notice:-

Step 1 – Go to the  Income Tax department’s e-filing website – http://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/home and select “Notice/Order Issued by ITD” button on the left side under the “Authenticate” Tab

Step 2 – This section gives you two options to search and authenticate any notice or order issued by the Income Tax department. You can search either by document number or by giving your PAN, assessment year, notice section, month and year of issue.

Step 3 – Once you give all the details, as required, you will be able to verify the authenticity of the document served upon you.

In recent years, the income tax department has taken several measures to improve tax administration, prevent harassment and make it more transparent. 

The system of attaching a DIN to every notice or communication of CBDT will result in better services to taxpayers without any possible harassment.  As communications received by the Income Tax Department without proper DIN will be considered invalid, it is important to know that if you have received any such communication without DIN it might be fake.

You do not need to reply or act upon any income tax notice if it doesn’t have a Document Identification Number. Always remember to verify your DIN instead of falling prey to fake notices.

Enter your email address:

Subscribe to faceless complainces