The Income Declaration Scheme, 2016 - Clarifications
CBDT has issued certain clarifications on the just concluded 65000 crore Income Declaration Scheme, 2016.
Electronic Acknowledgement : As per Rule 4(3) of the Income Declaration Scheme Rules, 2016, "The Principal Commissioner or the Commissioner shall issue an acknowledgement in Form-2 to the declarant within fifteen days from the end of the month in which the declaration under section 183 has been furnished."
Representations have been received from field authorities to allow electronic mode of communication as a valid mode of service for issuance of Form-2 under the Income Declaration Scheme, 2016.
Board clarifies that keeping into consideration the confidential nature of the declarations made under the Scheme, it has been decided that electronic communication of Form-2 on the email address mentioned in Form-1 shall be considered as a valid mode of service in respect of the electronically filed declarations under the Scheme.
Eligibility of the assessee to file declaration :Representations have also been received from field formations seeking clarification as to the eligibility of the assessee to file declaration under the Scheme where search and seizure operation has been conducted on or after 01.06.2016.
Board clarifies that in a case where a search and seizure operation has been conducted on or after 01.06.2016 but before making of declaration under the Scheme, the assessee shall not be entitled for filing a declaration under the Scheme in respect of the assessment years for which a notice under section 153A/153C of the Income-tax Act can be issued. The previous year in which search is conducted is already not eligible for declaration under the Scheme as declaration under the Scheme can be filed only upto A.Y.2016-17.
CBDT Instruction No.11/2016, Dated: October 13, 2016