CBDT notifies Centralised Verification Scheme, 2019 for issuance of notice

CBDT notifies Centralised Verification Scheme, 2019 u/s 133C for centralised issuance of notice and for processing of information. Rule 12D also substituted

Under section 133C of Income Tax Act, 1961 (the Act), the prescribed income-tax authority as prescribed under Rule 12D may, for verification of information in its possession relating to any person, issue a notice to such person requiring him/her to furnish such information/documents which may be useful for, or relevant to, any inquiry or proceeding under the Act.

The section also authorises CBDT to make a scheme for centralised issuance of notice.

Further, as per said Rule 12D, the prescribed authority under section 133C is the Principal Director General or Director General or Principal Director or Director to whom the Central Board of Direct Taxes authorizes to act as prescribed authority for the purposes of section 133C.

CBDT, today, vide Notification No. 5/2019 notified the scheme for centralised issuance of notice and for processing of information or documents and making available the outcome of the processing to the Assessing Officer, namely

the Centralised Verification Scheme, 2019

This scheme shall be applicable to any information or documents in possession of the Centralised Verification Centre or made available to the Centre, by Income Tax Authorities, any other authority, body or person, in accordance with the orders issued by the Board under section 119 of the Act.

As per the Scheme, the Centre may issue the notice under digital signature of the Designated Authority with a copy by electronic mail or by placing a copy in the registered account on the efiling portal followed by an intimation by Short Message Service (SMS).

It has been further provided that no person shall be required to appear personally or through authorised representative before the Designated Authority at the Centre in connection with any proceedings.

Simultaneously, the CBDT vide Notification No. 4/2019 has also substituted Rule 12D related to prescribed income-tax authority under section 133C. 12D. As per substituted Rule, the prescribed income-tax authority under section 133C shall be an income-tax authority not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax authorised by the Board to act as such authority for the purposes of that section.