I had filed my returns before the last date of filing returns. In fact I did it on December 24, 2021 to avoid the last minute rush on December 31, 2021. And I am super glad about it. Last year, I had paid the late return fees.
Therefore, I have been eagerly waiting for the IT department’s reply. I was wondering if they would be an email or a message on my phone.
And so, I turned when I received a message on my phone. I hurriedly opened to fulfill my curiosity. and this is what I saw:
“ITR for AY 2021-22 and PAN:abcdeXXXXf has been processed at CPC. Intimtation u/s 143(1) has been sent to your registered email ID. If not received check in SPAM folder”
Reading the message, I turned little worried. Section 143(1)? What’s that?
Another notice! I had filed the taxes. But I am getting a notice. I was super curious. So, I decided to reach out to my email inbox.
I logged into my email. I saw a message. And the message was signed by an Assistant Director of Income Tax, CPC Bengaluru. And there was a PDF file attached with it.
The message did not reveal much to me. So, I decided to open the PDF file. But I found it locked. To open the PDF file you receive u/s 143(1), you need to put your PAN number in small cases followed by your date of birth.
For example, if your date of birth is 01/01/1970 and the PAN is ABCDE1234F, you need to enter the following password to open the PDF intimation received u/s 143(1).
abcde1234f01011970
And I was super relieved to see that the intimation notice received u/s 143(1) was nothing but the assurance that my tax return has been accepted and I will be receiving the refund soon.
I was super relieved you see. This brings the tax financial year to a conclusive end! What a sigh.
What is Intimation u/s 143(1) of the IT Act
The intimation sent to you u/s 143(1) of the IT Act is the first message that you receive as a reply to your return filed for the given financial year.
It tells you:
If your tax return has been filed properly.
It will tell you the amount of tax refund you will receive if there will be any. It also will tell if you need to pay any more tax to the IT department.
In case you have errors in filing the taxes, it will highlight those. Like arithmetical errors, internal inconsistencies, tax and interest calculation and verification of the tax payment etc.
How to read the intimation notice u/s 143(1)
First, you open the intimation notice PDF file with the help of your PAN number and the date of birth. You need to input the same details that you see on your PAN card.
Now, you will see the intimation notice u/s 143(1). It is bilingual in nature. I received mine in Hindi and English. I am not sure if it is region specific.
Start with checking your personal details on the intimation notice – Your Name, Address, Mobile Contact No etc. All this information will be right on top of Page 1.
Then, you will find the major heads containing the summary of your taxes and income. Here is what you may find on Page 1:
Page 2 and 3 will show you the complete tax return filed report against the Tax computed by the IT department.
Ok, this I may need to explain: You will see two columns. The first column will say, “As provided by the taxpayer” and the second column will say, “As computed u/s 143(1)”.
This is how it looks on the pages 2 and 3:
The last page 4 will have the foot notes for you to understand the page 1 to 3. Somewhat as below:
By the time, I was done with reading and comprehending the intimation notice u/s 143(1), I was happy. I had discovered that I should not be dreading the word “Notice” all the time and there are pleasant surprises attached to such notices!
I shall be receiving the refund amount with the interest applicable on that refund amount. Had I missed filing my tax returns, I would have lost a lot of money without my knowledge.
How about you? Please share anything that you feel like on intimation notice u/s 143(1) here.
