Time limit for 142
This query is : Resolved
30 May 2010
Sir...
Is ther any time limit for issuance of notice U/s. 142(1)...
Is ther any time limit for issuance of notice U/s. 142(1)...
30 May 2010
FOR THE ISSUE OF NOTICE U/S 142(1) THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT
30 May 2010
yes no time limit
31 May 2010
But then as per sec 142 an AO cannot ask for book of account for more than 3 years from py.
hence it can be concluded that notice u/s 142 cannot b issued after 3 yrs.
plse clarify..
hence it can be concluded that notice u/s 142 cannot b issued after 3 yrs.
plse clarify..
02 August 2025
Great question! Here’s the clarification on **Section 142(1) of the Income Tax Act**:
* **Section 142(1)** empowers the Assessing Officer (AO) to issue a notice to the taxpayer **to file a return** or **to produce books of account or documents**.
* **There is NO specific time limit mentioned in Section 142(1) itself** for issuing such a notice.
* However, the AO's powers to **examine books of account** or **initiate assessment proceedings** are subject to the **time limits prescribed under the Act** (mostly under Section 153 and 153A).
**Now, about the 3 years limit:**
* Normally, the AO can reopen assessments or call for books **within 3 years from the end of the relevant assessment year**.
* For routine scrutiny or assessments under Section 143(3), the limit is 3 years.
* For reassessment under Section 147, it's generally 3 years, except in cases of serious tax evasion (up to 10 years).
**Putting it together:**
* While the notice under Section 142(1) **can technically be issued anytime** (no strict limit),
* The **right to initiate or complete assessment based on that notice is limited by the 3-year bar** (or extended time limits if applicable).
* So practically, after 3 years, AO’s ability to proceed meaningfully based on Section 142 notices is limited.
---
**Summary:**
| Aspect | Time Limit |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Issuance of notice u/s 142(1) | No explicit time limit |
| Assessment / scrutiny action | Within 3 years from end of AY (usual) |
---
* **Section 142(1)** empowers the Assessing Officer (AO) to issue a notice to the taxpayer **to file a return** or **to produce books of account or documents**.
* **There is NO specific time limit mentioned in Section 142(1) itself** for issuing such a notice.
* However, the AO's powers to **examine books of account** or **initiate assessment proceedings** are subject to the **time limits prescribed under the Act** (mostly under Section 153 and 153A).
**Now, about the 3 years limit:**
* Normally, the AO can reopen assessments or call for books **within 3 years from the end of the relevant assessment year**.
* For routine scrutiny or assessments under Section 143(3), the limit is 3 years.
* For reassessment under Section 147, it's generally 3 years, except in cases of serious tax evasion (up to 10 years).
**Putting it together:**
* While the notice under Section 142(1) **can technically be issued anytime** (no strict limit),
* The **right to initiate or complete assessment based on that notice is limited by the 3-year bar** (or extended time limits if applicable).
* So practically, after 3 years, AO’s ability to proceed meaningfully based on Section 142 notices is limited.
---
**Summary:**
| Aspect | Time Limit |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Issuance of notice u/s 142(1) | No explicit time limit |
| Assessment / scrutiny action | Within 3 years from end of AY (usual) |
---
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