Not reporting taxes in India can have several financial and legal repercussions. The Indian tax authorities take non-compliance very seriously, and not filing can lead to fines, interest charges, court cases, and other issues. If you opt for Income Tax Return Filing, contact Eazy Startups.
Let’s get into the discussion:-
- Financial Penalties
- Interest on Due Taxes
- Loss of Refunds
- Ineligibility to Carry Forward Losses
- Legal Prosecution
- Increased Scrutiny and Audits
- Effect on Credit Score
- Travel Restrictions
Financial Penalties:
Financial penalties are one of the direct repercussions of failing to file a tax return. A taxpayer may be required to pay a late fee under Section 234F of the Income Tax Act if they do not file their return by the deadline. If the return is filed after December 31st of the assessment year, there could be a penalty of up to ₹10,000. On the other hand, the maximum penalty is ₹1,000 if the total income is less than ₹5 lakh.
Interest on Due Taxes:
The taxpayer will have to pay interest on any overdue taxes and penalties. As per Section 234A of the Income Tax Act, interest is assessed on the outstanding tax amount from the filing date to the actual filing date at a rate of one per cent every month or a fraction of a month. This interest can add up quickly, raising the total amount owed in taxes.
Loss of Refunds:
You will lose the opportunity to get a tax refund if you are eligible for one but don’t file your return. The Income Tax Department will not handle refunds for unfiled returns. It implies that any possible refund resulting from advance tax payments or excessive tax deducted at source (TDS) is lost.
Ineligibility to Carry Forward Losses:
Taxpayers may roll over some of their losses from one fiscal year to the next to deduct future income. To take advantage of this provision, your tax return must be filed by the deadline. You won’t be able to carry over these losses if you don’t submit a return on time, which could be harmful if you have a lot of cash.
Legal Prosecution:
Failure to file tax returns may potentially result in prosecution. If a taxpayer knowingly neglects to file their return, they may be prosecuted and subject to fines and imprisonment under Section 276CC of the Income Tax Act. Depending on the seriousness of the offence and the amount of tax evaded, the sentence might be anywhere from three months to two years in prison. If the amount of taxes avoided surpasses ₹25 lakh, the jail sentence may range from six months to seven years.
Increased Scrutiny and Audits:
Failure to file tax returns may result in more attention from the tax authorities. To find out why you aren’t in conformity, the Income Tax Department may start a thorough audit or investigation of your financial situation. It could reveal more tax obligations or inconsistencies in your financial records, and it can be a tiresome and frustrating.
Effect on Credit Score:
Failing to file taxes on time might negatively affect your credit score. Before authorizing loans or credit facilities, financial institutions frequently verify the tax compliance status. Your financial flexibility and planning may be impacted if your tax compliance history is bad enough to result in the refusal of loans, credit cards, or other financial services.
Travel Restrictions:
In some extreme cases, the tax authorities may impose travel restrictions on individuals who have significant outstanding tax liabilities or who are persistent defaulters. It can hinder your ability to travel abroad for personal or professional reasons.
Conclusion
Not filing a tax return in India can have serious financial, legal, and personal repercussions. Penalties, interest charges, legal actions, and other complications can arise, making non-compliance costly. To avoid these consequences, it is crucial to file your tax returns on time, accurately report your income, and pay any taxes due. If you opt for Income Tax Return Filing, contact Eazy Startups.