Got an Income Tax Notice? Here's What You Should Do First

Author : Emma Watsana | Published On : 25 Jun 2026

Here's what most people get wrong: they either panic and ignore it, or they respond hastily without understanding what the notice actually demands.

Both can make things worse.

There are several types of income tax notices — Section 143(1) intimations, Section 139(9) defective return notices, Section 148 reassessment notices, and full-blown Section 143(2) scrutiny notices. Each one requires a different kind of response.

What you should do immediately:

• Read the notice carefully and identify the section it's issued under
• Check the deadline for your response — missing it attracts penalties
• Gather supporting documents before drafting any reply
• Don't submit a response without reviewing it with a tax professional

Ignoring a notice is never a strategy.

The Income Tax Department has robust systems to track non-compliance, and unanswered notices can escalate into demand orders, penalties, or even prosecution in serious cases.

A tax notice consultant can help you:

✅ Decode the notice language
✅ Assess your actual tax liability
✅ Prepare a compliant, well-documented reply
✅ Represent you before the assessing officer if needed