ITR Return for Gold Appraiser

This query is : Resolved

Dharunya Balan (Querist)
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20 June 2025 A person works as a gold appraiser for various banks, providing valuation services for pledged gold. The banks have deducted TDS under Section 194J(b), treating the income as technical service. He is not a certified or formally qualified appraiser, but he has the necessary technical skills and experience in gold valuation.

*He operates independently and provides services for multiple banks.
*He does not maintain any books of accounts.
*His annual income is approximately ₹5 to ₹7 lakhs.

Based on the above, I seek clarification on the correct tax treatment:
1. Can the income be shown under Section 44ADA (as technical consultancy), even though he is not formally qualified?
2. Alternatively, should the income be shown under Section 44AD as business income?
3. If filing under ITR-3, how should the income be reported without maintaining books of accounts?