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CAs, merchant bankers face fine if assessees file wrong tax info

From April 1,chartered accountants (CAs), merchant bankers and valuers can’t escape responsibility for filing of incorrect information in certificates or reports attached with income tax returns of assessees.They will be fined Rs 10,000 for each such certificates or reports, according to a provision in the Budget for 2017-18. For this purpose,the Budget has proposed to insert a new section, 271 J,in the Income Tax Act.

"Under Section 271J... we have entrusted responsibility with chartered accountants, valuers and merchant bankers who files audit, valuation reports and other things...," CBDT Chairman Sushil Chandra said at a post-Budget interaction with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.“So,if they file any incorrect information in there turns, they are also liable for a token penalty of Rs 10,000.” The whole system is based on"alot of faith on CAs and assessees and they have to be more responsible", he said. While there are many provisions to penalise the defaulting assessees,there was none to penalise CAs, merchant bankers and valuers.

A memorandum to the Finance Bill said:"In order to ensure that the person furnishing reports or certificates under takes due diligence before making such certification, it is proposed to insert a new section (271J in the Act) so as to provide that if an accountant or a merchant banker or a registered valuer furnishes incorrect information in a report or certificate, the assessing officer or the commissioner (appeals) may direct him to pay a sum of Rs 10,000 for each such reportor  certificate by way of penalty."

08TH FEBRUARY, 2017, BUSINESS STANDARD, NEW-DELHI

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