What is completion of assessment?

This query is : Resolved

Querist : Anonymous

Querist : Anonymous (Querist)

27 November 2012 Does receipt of refund means completion of assessment. Or there is any other way to confirm the same?
Means.... I want to ask that for the FY 2010-11, I had received my refund. Does that mean that assessment is complete and thus I cannot revise my return....

Pls experts help me....

CA Siddhartha Bhardwaj

CA Siddhartha Bhardwaj (Expert)
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28 November 2012 The assessment is complete when an ASSESSMENT ORDER is passed by the assessing officer.

Receipt of refund DOES NOT mean completion of assessment.

Notice can still be issued by the department.

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Querist : Anonymous

Querist : Anonymous (Querist)

29 November 2012 Does that mean for fy 2010-11, I can still revise my return even though I had received refund.
And also... will i have to pay any interest/penalty on revision of return??
Because previously i showed commission income of 110000 only and claimed refund of 11000. But now I want to revise the return and show my business income also.

CA Siddhartha Bhardwaj

CA Siddhartha Bhardwaj (Expert)
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30 November 2012 Yes you can revise the return even if you have received the refund.

However, you will have to pay interest u/ 234A, 234B, 234C and Section 234D.

Querist : Anonymous

Querist : Anonymous (Querist)

30 November 2012 Thank you sir for your reply.
Please also tell weather there is any chance that ao will make scrutiny assessment on me or levy penalty for concealment of income. Because now I wants to show a tax of nearly 700 Rs.

Aashok Kumar Sharma

Aashok Kumar Sharma (Expert)
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03 August 2025 You're asking an important question about assessment under the Income Tax Act — especially in the context of receiving a refund and whether it means the assessment is completed.
Let’s break it down clearly:

✅ What is “Completion of Assessment”?
"Assessment" means the process by which the Income Tax Department examines your return, verifies details, and determines:
If the income reported is correct,
Whether any tax is due/refundable, and
Whether any further investigation (like scrutiny) is needed.
🔹 Types of Assessment:
Type of Assessment Meaning
Self-assessment (u/s 140A) Done by you when filing the return
Summary assessment (u/s 143(1)) System-based processing — basic checks only
Scrutiny assessment (u/s 143(3)) Detailed assessment by Assessing Officer (AO)
Reassessment (u/s 147) Reopened by AO if income was escaped earlier
🟩 Does Getting a Refund Mean Assessment is Completed?
No, receiving a refund means your return was processed under Section 143(1) — a summary assessment done by the system.
👉 This does not mean the AO can’t later open your case for scrutiny or reassessment, especially if:

Income is under-reported,
High-value transactions are flagged,
Information from other sources (like TDS, SFT) doesn't match your return.
So, 143(1) processing and refund ≠ completion of full assessment.
🟥 Can You Revise the Return After Getting Refund?
✔️ Yes, but only if time limit is not over.
For FY 2010–11 (AY 2011–12):
The time to revise the return ended on 31 March 2013.
So as of now (in 2025), you CANNOT revise that return anymore.
🟠 Can the AO Still Issue Scrutiny or Reassessment?
Possibly, but only within time limits:
Action Time Limit
Scrutiny (143(3)) Notice must be served within 6 months from end of AY (if selected)
Reassessment (u/s 147) Generally, within 3 years (or 10 years in rare high-income concealment cases)
So for AY 2011–12, normal scrutiny/reassessment should be time-barred unless:
Income escaped is > ₹50 lakh, and
There is credible evidence with the department
If your under-reported tax is only ₹700, it's extremely unlikely that AO would open a reassessment now.
🔶 Final Answers to Your Questions:
Question Answer
Does refund mean assessment is over? ❌ No. It means return was processed, not scrutinized.
Can I revise return now for AY 2011–12? ❌ No. Time limit is over.
Can AO still scrutinize or reopen? 🚫 Highly unlikely for ₹700 — time-barred unless serious concealment.
Will there be penalty? ⚠️ Not for small errors after so many years.

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