The Draft Income-tax Rules, 2026, have introduced Rule 174, which specifies the exact times and days Valuation Officers can conduct inspections. These inspections are permitted only on days that are not public holidays, and must take place between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The rule also clarifies who can carry out these inspections, requiring written authorisation for any officials other than the Valuation Officer themselves. This aims to balance administrative efficiency with the protection of taxpayer rights.
The Draft Income-tax Rules, 2026, continue to bring procedural clarity to assessment-related powers under the Income-tax Act. Rule 174 specifically prescribes the day and time during which Valuation Officers and their authorised officials may conduct inspections, in accordance with section 269(3) of
Daily Limit Reached
You have reached your daily limit of 2 Free News
Subscribe to
CCI PRO
for unlimited access
Why Upgrade to
CCI PRO?
-
No Ads
-
WhatsApp Broadcasts
-
Daily E-Newsletter
-
Unlimited News Access
BEST VALUE
2 YEAR PLAN
3,499
(Inclusive of GST)
1 YEAR PLAN
1,999
(Inclusive of GST)
Buy CCI PRO Now
Already a PRO member?
Login here
for an ad-free experience.
FAQ :
Inspections can only be carried out on any day other than a public holiday, and between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The Valuation Officer or any engineer, overseer, surveyor, or assessor authorised by the Valuation Officer in writing can conduct inspections.
A public holiday includes Sundays and any other day declared as a public holiday by the Central Government through an Official Gazette notification.
Authorised officers can enter any land, building, or other place within the assigned jurisdiction or belonging to a person whose case has been referred for valuation, and inspect relevant assets or properties.
Rule 174 is important because it clarifies inspection procedures, balances administrative needs with taxpayer privacy, and reduces the risk of disputes by defining permissible days, times, personnel, and scope.