# Income Tax Notice Reply > An income tax notice reply is a response filed on the e-filing portal to a communication from the Income Tax Department, such as a defective return, mismatch or intimation notice. It is meant for anyone who has received a notice or intimation from the Income Tax Department. At ITR Filing Online (itrfilingonline.in), a tax expert prepares and files your Income Tax Notice. URL: https://itrfilingonline.in/income-tax-notice-reply Turnaround: Review within 1 working day Contact: +91 99111 46650 (call/WhatsApp), go@itrfilingonline.in ## About An income tax notice is a formal communication from the Income Tax Department. Most notices today are generated by automated systems that compare your return with information from your employer, bank, broker and other sources, shown in your AIS and Form 26AS. A notice does not mean you did something wrong. It means the department needs a correction, an explanation or a document, and it expects a reply by a fixed date. All notices and replies are handled online through the e-Proceedings section of the e-filing portal, and most assessments are now faceless, so there is no need to visit a tax office. Common notices and what they mean Section 139(9) – defective return. Usually 15 days to correct, or the return may be treated as invalid. Section 143(1) – intimation after processing, showing a refund, nil or a demand. Section 143(1)(a) – proposed adjustment before processing. Usually 30 days to agree or disagree. Section 143(2) – scrutiny assessment of your return. Section 142(1) – request for information, documents or a return not filed. Sections 148A and 148 – show-cause and reopening of an earlier year’s assessment. Section 245 – proposal to adjust your refund against an old demand. Section 156 – notice of demand for tax payable. Under-reported income can attract a penalty under section 270A of 50% of the tax on it, and 200% where income is misreported. These are Income-tax Act, 1961 sections, which continue to apply to earlier years even though the Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from tax year 2026-27. Common mistakes we see Ignoring an email or SMS until the deadline has passed Agreeing to a demand that was already paid or wrongly raised Replying without documents, or attaching the wrong year’s papers Filing a revised return when a rectification or response was needed Sharing login details with callers pretending to be tax officials How our expert handles your notice Step 1: We verify the notice on the portal using its Document Identification Number. Step 2: We explain in simple words what is being asked and by when. Step 3: We compare the notice with your return, AIS and Form 26AS. Step 4: We prepare the reply, corrected return or rectification, with documents. Step 5: You approve, we guide the submission and track the outcome. A short example Suppose you receive a 143(1)(a) notice because AIS shows interest of ₹48,000, while your return showed only ₹18,000. On checking, we find you missed FD interest of ₹30,000. If you are in the 30% slab, the extra tax is ₹9,000, and with 4% cess of ₹360, it is ₹9,360. Here the right response is to agree and pay. If instead that FD belonged to a family member and was wrongly linked to your PAN, we would submit feedback on AIS and disagree with the adjustment, with proof. Either way, the reply goes in before the 30-day deadline, so the return is processed on the correct figures and no avoidable demand, interest or penalty follows later. ## What is covered - **Defective return — 139(9)**: Your return has an error the system flagged. We correct it and respond within the time allowed. - **Intimation — 143(1)**: The department has processed your return with changes, a demand or a lower refund. We check if it is correct and reply or file a rectification. - **Mismatch / compliance notices**: Income in AIS not shown in your return, high-value transactions, or non-filing. We explain and respond on the portal. - **Outstanding demand**: We verify whether the demand is correct, and respond as agree / disagree with reasons. ## Benefits - **Clear explanation**: You understand what the notice actually says. - **Deadline met**: We work to the date in the notice. - **Right response**: Corrected return, rectification or reply — whichever fits. - **Peace of mind**: A professional handling it end to end. ## Documents required - Copy of the notice / intimation (PDF or screenshot) - Income tax return filed for that year - AIS / Form 26AS for that year - Supporting documents related to the issue - E-filing login access (you log in; we guide you) ## Process 1. **Book & talk to an expert** — You request a callback or message us on WhatsApp. We understand your income sources in a 10-minute call. 2. **Share documents** — Send Form 16, AIS/26AS and proofs on WhatsApp or email. We tell you if anything is missing. 3. **We prepare your return** — We reconcile AIS and 26AS, compare the old and new regime and prepare the computation. 4. **You review & approve** — You see the final tax, refund and every figure before anything is filed. 5. **Filed & e-verified** — We file on the official portal and help you e-verify with Aadhaar OTP. You receive the ITR-V and computation. ## FAQs ### What is the time limit to reply to an income tax notice? It depends on the notice. A defective return notice under section 139(9) usually allows 15 days, and a 143(1)(a) adjustment notice allows 30 days. Scrutiny and information notices mention their own date. If you need more time, you can request an adjournment on the portal with reasons, though it is not guaranteed. ### How do I reply to an income tax notice online? Log in to the e-filing portal and open Pending Actions, then e-Proceedings. Select the notice, read it fully and choose Submit Response. You can type your reply and attach supporting documents in PDF form. After submission, download the acknowledgement. We prepare the reply and documents so you can submit them correctly. ### What is a scrutiny notice under section 143(2)? It means your return has been selected for detailed examination, usually through faceless assessment. The notice must be served within three months from the end of the financial year in which the return was filed. You will be asked questions and documents about specific issues, and every reply is submitted online through e-Proceedings. ### Can the department reopen my old income tax return? Yes, through sections 148A and 148. The officer must first give you a show-cause notice and a chance to reply before reopening. Under current rules, a case can generally be reopened within three years from the end of the assessment year, or up to five years where escaped income is ₹50 lakh or more. ### What should I do about a section 245 refund adjustment notice? This notice says the department plans to adjust your refund against an older outstanding demand. Check whether that demand is correct and still unpaid. Respond on the portal, usually within 30 days, by agreeing, partly agreeing or disagreeing with proof. If you do not respond, the refund may be adjusted without your input. ### What is the penalty for under-reporting income? Under section 270A, the penalty is 50% of the tax payable on under-reported income. Where income is misreported, for example through false entries or suppressed facts, it is 200% of that tax. Immunity may be sought under section 270AA in certain cases, if you pay the tax and interest and do not appeal. ### What if I missed the deadline to reply to a notice? Act immediately. For many notices, the portal still accepts a response after the date, but the officer may already have passed an order. For a defective return notice, the return may be treated as invalid, and a fresh or updated return may then be needed. We review the status and suggest the next step. ### Do I have to visit the income tax office for a faceless assessment? No. Under faceless assessment, all communication happens online through the e-filing portal, and you do not know or meet the officer handling your case. If a personal hearing is needed, you can request it, and it is held by video conference. All documents, explanations and replies are uploaded digitally on the portal. --- ITR Filing Online is a brand of TaxCaller India LLP (LLPIN AAQ-7388).