Document
Index

Section 154 Of Income Tax Act: How To File Rectification Under Section 154(1)?

Updated on: May 8th, 2024

|

4 min read

Once you file an income tax return, the income tax department processes it and sends an intimation. The intimation contains details of the return you submitted and the department's numbers.

If there is a mismatch, i.e. a demand or higher refund than what you had claimed in the return, you can do the following:

What Errors Can Be Corrected By Filing Rectification?

A rectification request under section 154(1) is allowed by the income tax department for correcting mistakes when there is an apparent mistake in your Income Tax Return. The following errors can be taken care of by filing a rectification:

  • An error of fact
  • An arithmetic mistake
  • A small clerical error
  • An error due to overlooking compulsory provisions of law.

Here are some examples of these errors:

  • A mismatch in tax credit
  • Advance tax challan details mismatch
  • Gender is mentioned incorrectly.
  • Additional details were not submitted for capital gains at the time of filing the return.

Do not use rectification requests for changing bank account or address details of your income tax return.

When Can Rectification Be Filed?

A rectification request can be filed only for returns which are already processed in CPC, Bangalore. If on rectifying a ‘mistake’ there is a change in Income – a rectification should not be filed. In this case, a Revised Income Tax Return should be filed. In the rectification return, no new deductions or exemptions are allowed to be claimed.

Who Can File Rectification?

A return can be rectified by

  • The person filing the return.
  • An income tax authority can rectify a mistake that appears on the face of the record alone.

Should Rectification Be Filed Online?

For all e-filed returns, the rectification return is to be submitted online from the income tax portal.

How To File Rectification Online?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to file a rectification request under section 154(1) –

Step 1 – Login to Income Tax Website

login to income tax portal

Step 2 - Go to ‘Services’ in the main menu and click on ‘Rectification’ in the dropdown menu.

rectification

Step 3- Click on the ‘New Request’ button.

new request

Step 4 – Now select ‘Order passed under’ as ‘Income Tax’. Select the relevant assessment year from the dropdown for which rectification is to be filed and continue.

assessment year for rectification

Rectification Type 1- Reprocess Return

Step 5(1)- Select the request type as ‘Reprocess the Return’.

reprocess return

You just need to submit the request for reprocessing.

submit the request

After submission of the same, you will be redirected to the e-verification page.

Rectification type 2- Tax Credit Mismatch

Step 5(2)- Select the ‘Request Type’ as ‘Tax Credit Mismatch Correction’.

tax credit

It will auto-populate schedules that are available in the processed return. It allows you to edit or delete the schedule details.

tax credit mismatch correction

You can edit the details of the below schedules:

  • Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on Salary Details,
  • Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on Other than Salary Details,
  • Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on Transfer of Immovable Property/Rent,
  • Tax Collected at Source (TCS),
  • Advance Tax or Self Assessment Tax Details.

Next click on the ‘Continue’ button and e-verify.

correction portal income tax

Rectification type 3- Return Data Correction (Offline)/Rectify Return via Return Data Correction XML/JSON

You can rectify the return by uploading the rectification XML/JSON file by this option.

return data correction/ rectify the return via return data correction

Please note that you can submit a rectified JSON only for activities mentioned below:

  • To correct email ID or mobile number or address.
  • Correct the TAN or assessment year, challan number or BSR code in ‘Schedule TDS’ or ‘Taxes Paid’.
  • To correct the bank account number or IFS code in bank details.
  • Correct any other detail in the return that does not result in a change in the gross total income or total income or result in an excess refund claim when compared with the return already submitted.

You cannot submit a rectification return for the following activities.

  • To report Chapter VI deductions which were left out in the return already filed. 
  • To claim loss in the rectification return which was missed out in the already filed return.
  • You cannot claim additional TDS credit or claim a missed out tax payment challan and claim the tax credit/refund. 

No need to re-enter all the entries into the latest offline utility. Here, you will be able to download the JSON file of the last filed return, which can be imported into the government’s IT Utility. Only make the necessary corrections.

Validate the XML/JSON and re-upload rectified XML/JSON. 
The process to generate a rectification XML/JSON file is the same as that of the regular return XML/JSON file.

return data correction XML/JSON

Mention the reason for seeking rectification in return. After giving the reason for rectification and uploading the XML/JSON file, click on the ‘Submit’ button.

Download the ARN copy for future reference.

On successful submission, you will be taken to the e-verification page.

Response To Outstanding Demand If Rectification Return Is Filed

After submitting the rectification JSON, Click on ‘Response to Outstanding Demand’ from the ‘Pending Actions’ tab in the dashboard.

response to outstanding demand

Select the demand for which you have submitted a rectification return and click on ‘Submit Response’.

response to outstanding demand

If you agree with the demand, select the ‘Demand is Correct’ option and the disclaimer ‘Once you submit the response as Demand is correct, then you cannot Disagree with Demand later on’

Once you select these two fields, then select ‘Not paid yet’ option and click ‘Pay Now’. You will be taken to the e-Pay Tax page where you can make the outstanding tax payment.

In case you have already paid the amount, then you can select ‘Yes Already paid and Challan has CIN’ and then Add Challan Details. While adding the challan details, select ‘Type of Payment’ as ‘Minor head’, enter challan amount, BSR code, challan serial number and select the date of payment. Also, upload a copy of the challan (PDF) and click on the ‘Save’ button.

challan CIN

If you choose, ‘Disagree with the demand (Either in full or Part)’, Click on ‘Add reason and select the reasons as ‘Rectification/Revised Return filed at CPC’.

disagree with demand

Choose the reason and enter the value of demand for which you have disagreed. If you are submitting a rectification return, enter the rectification return acknowledgement number and click on the ‘Submit’ button.

submitting a rectification return

Post submission of the response you will get a confirmation of the transaction ID as shown below, save the same for future communications with CPC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of rectification can be made in the income tax return?

Income Tax Rectification can be classified as follows 

  • Reprocess the return
  • Tax credit mismatch correction
  • Additional information for 234C interest
  • Status Correction
  • Exemption section correction
  • Return data correction (Offline)
  • Return data correction (Online)
What is the time limit for rectification under section 154?

Rectification can be made upto 4 years from the end of the financial year in which the order sought to be rectified was passed. Suppose the order for which you want to submit a rectification request was issued in the Financial Year 2015-16. Then you can submit a rectification request u/s154 for 4 years, i.e., till 31st March 2020.

Is the Latest communication reference number required for submitting rectification u/s 154?

There is no requirement to quote the communication reference number for submitting a rectification request u/s 154 online as per the new changes, as the latest communication reference number auto-populates.

Help and support
close
Loading Chat ...
Chatbot LogoChatbot Button
summary-logo

Quick Summary

Once you file an income tax return, you may receive an intimation with details and possible mismatches. Rectification is a method to correct errors like factual, arithmetic, clerical errors, or missing provisions. Rectification requests can be filed online for processed CPC returns. The request can address issues like tax credit mismatch or incorrect personal details. Be cautious not to claim new deductions or exemptions through rectification.

Was this summary helpful?
liked-feedbackliked-feedback

Clear offers taxation & financial solutions to individuals, businesses, organizations & chartered accountants in India. Clear serves 1.5+ Million happy customers, 20000+ CAs & tax experts & 10000+ businesses across India.

Efiling Income Tax Returns(ITR) is made easy with Clear platform. Just upload your form 16, claim your deductions and get your acknowledgment number online. You can efile income tax return on your income from salary, house property, capital gains, business & profession and income from other sources. Further you can also file TDS returns, generate Form-16, use our Tax Calculator software, claim HRA, check refund status and generate rent receipts for Income Tax Filing.

CAs, experts and businesses can get GST ready with Clear GST software & certification course. Our GST Software helps CAs, tax experts & business to manage returns & invoices in an easy manner. Our Goods & Services Tax course includes tutorial videos, guides and expert assistance to help you in mastering Goods and Services Tax. Clear can also help you in getting your business registered for Goods & Services Tax Law.

Save taxes with Clear by investing in tax saving mutual funds (ELSS) online. Our experts suggest the best funds and you can get high returns by investing directly or through SIP. Download Black by ClearTax App to file returns from your mobile phone.

Cleartax is a product by Defmacro Software Pvt. Ltd.

Company PolicyTerms of use

ISO

ISO 27001

Data Center

SSL

SSL Certified Site

128-bit encryption