law: The Income-Tax Act, 1961
  1[Chapter XIVB
  Special Procedure for Assessment of Search Cases
  158B.Definitions.-
  In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,-
  2[(a) "block period" means the period comprising previous years relevant to six assessment years preceding the previous year in which the search was conducted under section 132 or any requisition was made under section 132A and also includes the period up to the date of the commencement of such search or date of such requisition in the previous year in which the said search was conducted or requisition was made:
  Provided that where the search is initiated or the requisition is made before the 1st day of June, 2001, the provisions of this clause shall have effect as if for the words "six assessment years", the words "ten assessment years" had been substituted;]
  (b) "undisclosed income" includes any money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing or any income based on any entry in the books of account or other documents or transactions, where such money, bullion, jewellery, valuable article, thing, entry in the books of account or other document or transaction represents wholly or partly income or property which has not been or would not have been disclosed for the purposes of this Act3[, or any expense, deduction or allowance claimed under this Act which is found to be false].
  1. Ins. by Act 22 of 1995, s. 32 (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  2. Subs. by 14 of 2001, s. 66, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 1-6-2001).
  3. Ins. by Act 20 of 2002, s. 64 (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  158BA. Assessment of undisclosed income as a result of search.-
  (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provisions of this Act, where after the 30th day of June, 1995 a search is initiated under section 132 or books of account, other documents or any assets are requisitioned under section 132A in the case of any person, then, the Assessing Officer shall proceed to assess the undisclosed income in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
  (2) The total undisclosed income relating to the block period shall be charged to tax, at the rate specified in section 113, as income of the block period irrespective of the previous year or years to which such income relates and irrespective of the fact whether regular assessment for any one or more of the relevant assessment years is pending or not.
  4[Explanation.-For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that-
  (a) the assessment made under this Chapter shall be in addition to the regular assessment in respect of each previous year included in the block period;
  (b) the total undisclosed income relating to the block period shall not include the income assessed in any regular assessment as income of such block period;
  (c) the income assessed in this Chapter shall not be included in the regular assessment of any previous year included in the block period.]
  (3) Where the assessee proves to the satisfaction of the Assessing Officer that any part of income referred to in sub-section (1) relates to an assessment year for which the previous year has not ended or the date of filing the return of income under sub-section (1) of section 139 for any previous year has not expired, and such income or the transactions relating to such income are recorded on or before the date of the search or requisition in the books of account or other documents maintained in the normal course relating to such previous years, the said income shall not be included in the block period.
  4. Ins. by Act 21 of 1998, s. 44 (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  158BB. Computation of undisclosed income of the block period.-
  (1) The undisclosed income of the block period shall be the aggregate of the total income of the previous years falling within the block period computed, 1[in accordance with the provisions of this Act, on the basis of evidence found as a result of search or requisition of books of account or other documents and such other materials or information as are available with the Assessing Officer and relatable to such evidence], as reduced by the aggregate of the total income, or as the case may be, as increased by the aggregate of the losses of such previous years, determined,-
  (a) where assessments under section 143 or section 144 or section 147 2[have been concluded prior to the date of commencement of the search or the date of requisition], on the basis of such assessments;
  (b) where returns of income have been filed under section 139 3[or in response to a notice issued under sub-section (1) of section 142 or section 148] but assessments have not been made till the date of search or requisition, on the basis of the income disclosed in such returns;
  4[(c) where the due date for filing a return of income has expired, but no return of income has been filed,-
  (A) on the basis of entries as recorded in the books of account and other documents maintained in the normal course on or before the date of the search or requisition where such entries result in computation of loss for any previous year falling in the block period; or
  (B) on the basis of entries as recorded in the books of account and other documents maintained in the normal course on or before the date of the search or requisition where such income does not exceed the maximum amount not chargeable to tax for any previous year falling in the block period;
  (ca) where the due date for filing a return of income has expired, but no return of income has been filed, as nil, in cases not falling under clause (c);]
  (d) where the previous year has not ended or the date of filing the return of income under sub-section (1) of section 139 has not expired, on the basis of entries relating to such income or transactions as recorded in the books of account and other documents maintained in the normal course on or before the date of the search or requisition relating to such previous years;
  (e) where any order of settlement has been made under sub-section (4) of section 245D, on the basis of such order;
  (f) where an assessment of undisclosed income had been made earlier under clause (c) of section 158BC, on the basis of such assessment.
  Explanation.-For the purposes of determination of undisclosed income,-
  (a) the total income or loss of each previous year shall, for the purpose of aggregation, be taken as the total income or loss computed in accordance with the provisions of 1[this Act] without giving effect to set off of brought forward losses under Chapter VI or unabsorbed depreciation under sub-section (2) of section 32:
  2[Provided that in computing deductions under Chapter VIA for the purposes of the said aggregation, effect shall be given to set off of brought forward losses under Chapter VI or unabsorbed depreciation under sub-section (2) of section 32;]
  3[(b) of a firm, returned income and total income assessed for each of the previous years falling within the block period shall be the income determined before allowing deduction of salary, interest, commission, bonus or remuneration by whatever name called 4[to any partner not being a working partner]:
  Provided that undisclosed income of the firm so determined shall not be chargeable to tax in the hands of the partners, whether on allocation or on account of enhancement;]
  (c) assessment under section 143 includes determination of income under sub-section (1) or sub-section (1B) of section 143.
  (2) In computing the undisclosed income of the block period, the provisions of sections 68, 69, 69A, 69B and 69C shall, so far as may be, apply and references to "financial year" in those sections shall be construed as references to the relevant previous year falling in the block period including the previous year ending with the date of search or of the requisition.
  (3) The burden of proving to the satisfaction of the Assessing Officer that any undisclosed income had already been disclosed in any return of income filed by the assessee before the commencement of search or of the requisition, as the case may be, shall be on the assessee.
  (4) For the purpose of assessment under this Chapter, losses brought forward from the previous year under Chapter VI or unabsorbed depreciation under sub-section (2) of section 32 shall not be set off against the undisclosed income determined in the block assessment under this Chapter, but may be carried forward for being set off in the regular assessments.
  1. Subs. by Act 20 of 2002, s. 65, for certain words and figure (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  2. Subs. by s. 65, ibid., for "have been concluded" (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  3. Subs. by s. 65, ibid., for "or section 147" (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  4. Subs. by s. 65, ibid., for clause (c) (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  1. Subs. by Act 20 of 2002, s. 65, for "Chapter IV" (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  2. Ins. by s. 65, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  3. Subs. by Act 33 of 1996, s. 46, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  4. Ins. by Act 21 of 1998, s. 45 (w.e.f. 1-4-1999).
  158BC. Procedure for block assessment.-
  Where any search has been conducted under section 132 or books of account, other documents or assets are requisitioned under section 132A, in the case of any person, then,-
  5[(a) the Assessing Officer shall-
  (i) in respect of search initiated or books of account or other documents or any assets requisitioned after the 30th day of June, 1995, but before the 1st day of January, 1997, serve a notice to such person requiring him to furnish within such time not being less than fifteen days;
  (ii) in respect of search initiated or books of account or other documents or any assets requisitioned on or after the 1st day of January, 1997, serve a notice to such person requiring him to furnish within such time not being less than fifteen days but not more than forty-five days, as may be specified in the notice a return in the prescribed formand verified in the same manner as a return under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 142, setting forth his total income including the undisclosed income for the block period: Provided that no notice under section 148 is required to be issued for the purpose of proceeding under this Chapter:
  Provided further that a person who has furnished a return under this clause shall not be entitled to file a revised return;]
  (b) the Assessing Officer shall proceed to determine the undisclosed income of the block period in the manner laid down in section 158BB and the provisions of section 142, sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 1431[, section 144 and section 145] shall, so far as may be, apply;
  (c) the Assessing Officer, on determination of the undisclosed income of the block period in accordance with this Chapter, shall pass an order of assessment and determine the tax payable by him on the basis of such assessment;
  2[(d) the assets seized under section 132 or requisitioned under section 132A shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of section 132B.]
  5. Subs. by Act 14 of 1997, s. 4, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 1-1-1997).
  1. Subs. by Act 20 of 2002, s. 66, for "and section 144" (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  2. Subs. by s. 66, ibid., for clause (d) (w.e.f. 1-6-2002).
  158BD. Undisclosed income of any other person.-
  Where the Assessing Officer is satisfied that any undisclosed income belongs to any person, other than the person with respect to whom search was made under section 132 or whose books of account or other documents or any assets were requisitioned under section 132A, then, the books of account, other documents or assets seized or requisitioned shall be handed over to the Assessing Officer having jurisdiction over such other person and that Assessing Officer shall proceed 3[under section 158BC] against such other person and the provisions of this Chapter shall apply accordingly.
  3. Ins. by s. 67, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-6-2002)
  158BE. Time limit for completion of block assessment.-
  4[(1) The order under section 158BC shall be passed-
  (a) within one year from the end of the month in which the last of the authorisations for search under section 132 or for requisition under section 132A, as the case may be, was executed in cases where a search is initiated or books of account or other documents or any assets are requisitioned after the 30th day of June, 1995, but before the 1st day of January, 1997;
  (b) within two years from the end of the month in which the last of the authorisations for search under section 132 or for requisition under section 132A, as the case may be, was executed in cases where a search is initiated or books of account or other documents or any assets are requisitioned on or after the 1st day of January, 1997.
  (2) The period of limitation for completion of block assessment in the case of the other person referred to in section 158BD shall be-
  (a) one year from the end of the month in which the notice under this Chapter was served on such other person in respect of search initiated or books of account or other documents or any assets requisitioned after the 30th day of June, 1995, but before the 1st day of January, 1997; and
  (b) two years from the end of the month in which the notice under this Chapter was served on such other person in respect of search initiated or books of account or other documents or any assets are requisitioned on or after the 1st day of January, 1997.]
  1[Explanation 1.-In computing the period of limitation for the purposes of this section,-
  (i) the period during which the assessment proceeding is stayed by an order or injunction of any court; or
  (ii) the period commencing from the day on which the Assessing Officer directs the assessee to get his accounts audited under sub-section (2A) of section 142 and ending on the day on which the assessee is required to furnish a report of such audit under that sub-section; or
  (iii) the time taken in reopening the whole or any part of the proceeding or giving an opportunity to the assessee to be re-heard under the proviso to section 129; or
  (iv) in a case where an application made before the Settlement Commission under section 245C is rejected by it or is not allowed to be proceeded with by it, the period commencing on the date on which such application is made and ending with the date on which the order under sub-section (1) of section 245D is received by the 2[Principal Commissioner or Commissioner] under sub-section (2) of that section, shall be excluded:
  Provided that where immediately after the exclusion of the aforesaid period, the period of limitation referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) available to the Assessing Officer for making an order under clause (c) ofsection 158BC is less than sixty days, such remaining period shall be extended to sixty days and the aforesaid period of limitation shall be deemed to be extended accordingly.]
  3[Explanation 2.-For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the authorisation referred to in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to have been executed,-
  (a) in the case of search, on the conclusion of search as recorded in the last panchnama drawn in relation to any person in whose case the warrant of authorisation has been issued;
  (b) in the case of requisition under section 132A, on the actual receipt of the books of account or other documents or assets by the Authorised Officer.]
  4. Subs. by Act 14 of 1997, s. 5, for sub-sections (1) and (2) (w.e.f. 1-1-1997).
  1. Subs. by Act 20 of 2002, s. 68, for Explanation 1 (w.e.f. 1-6-2002).
  2. Subs. by Act 25 of 2014, s. 4, for "Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1-6-2013).
  3. Ins. by Act 21 of 1998, s. 46 (w.e.f. 1-7-1995).
  158BF. Certain interests and penalties not to be levied or imposed.-
  No interest under the provisions of section 234A, 234B or 234C or penalty under the provisions of clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 271 or section 271A or section 271B shall be levied or imposed upon the assessee in respect of the undisclosed income determined in the block assessment.
  4[158BFA. Levy of interest and penalty in certain cases.-
  (1) Where the return of total income including undisclosed income for the block period, in respect of search initiated under section 132 or books of account, other documents or any assets requisitioned under section 132A on or after the 1st day of January, 1997, as required by a notice under clause (a) of section 158BC, is furnished after the expiry of the period specified in such notice, or is not furnished, the assessee shall be liable to pay simple interest at the rate of 5[one per cent.] of the tax on undisclosed income, determined under clause (c) of section 158BC, for every month or part of a month comprised in the period commencing on the day immediately following the expiry of the time specified in the notice, and-
  (a) where the return is furnished after the expiry of the time aforesaid, ending on the date of furnishing the return; or
  (b) where no return has been furnished, on the date of completion of assessment under clause (c) of section 158BC.
  (2) The Assessing Officer or the Commissioner (Appeals) in the course of any proceedings under this Chapter, may direct that a person shall pay by way of penalty a sum which shall not be less than the amount of tax leviable but which shall not exceed three times the amount of tax so leviable in respect of the undisclosed income determined by the Assessing Officer under clause (c) of section 158BC:
  Provided that no order imposing penalty shall be made in respect of a person if-
  (i) such person has furnished a return under clause (a) of section 158BC;
  (ii) the tax payable on the basis of such return has been paid or, if the assets seized consist of money, the assessee offers the money so seized to be adjusted against the tax payable;
  (iii) evidence of tax paid is furnished along with the return; and
  (iv) an appeal is not filed against the assessment of that part of income which is shown in the return:
  Provided further that the provisions of the preceding proviso shall not apply where the undisclosed income determined by the Assessing Officer is in excess of the income shown in the return and in such cases the penalty shall be imposed on that portion of undisclosed income determined which is in excess of the amount of undisclosed income shown in the return.
  (3) No order imposing a penalty under sub-section (2) shall be made,-
  (a) unless an assessee has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard;
  (b) by the 1[Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner] or the 2[Assistant Director or Deputy Director], as the case may be, where the amount of penalty exceeds twenty thousand rupees except with the previous approval of the 3[Joint Commissioner] or the 4[Joint Director], as the case may be;
  (c) in a case where the assessment is the subject-matter of an appeal to the Commissioner (Appeals) under section 246 5[or section 246A] or an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal under section 253, after the expiry of the financial year in which the proceedings, in the course of which action for the imposition of penalty has been initiated, are completed, or six months from the end of the month in which the order of the Commissioner (Appeals) or, as the case may be, the Appellate Tribunal is received by the 6[Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner] or the 7[Principal Commissioner or Commissioner], whichever period expires later;
  (d) in a case where the assessment is the subject-matter of revision under section 263, after the expiry of six months from the end of the month in which such order of revision is passed;
  (e) in any case other than those mentioned in clauses (c) and (d), after the expiry of the financial year in which the proceedings, in the course of which action for the imposition of penalty has been initiated, are completed, or six months from the end of the month in which action for imposition of penalty is initiated, whichever period expires later;
  (f) in respect of search initiated under section 132 or books of account, other documents or any assets requisitioned under section 132A, after the 30th day of June, 1995 but before the 1st day of January, 1997.
  Explanation.-In computing the period of limitation for the purpose of this section,-
  (i) the time taken in giving an opportunity to the assessee to be reheard under the proviso to section 129;
  (ii) the period during which the immunity granted under section 245H remained in force; and
  (iii) the period during which the proceedings under sub-section (2) are stayed by an order or injunction of any court, shall be excluded.
  (4) An income-tax authority on making an order under sub-section (2) imposing a penalty, unless he is himself an Assessing Officer, shall forthwith send a copy of such order to the Assessing Officer.]
  4. Ins. by Act 14 of 1997, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-1-1997).
  5. Subs. by Act 54 of 2003, s. 7, for "one and one-fourth per cent." (w.e.f. 8-9-2003).
  1. Subs. by Act 21 of 1998, s. 3, for "Assistant Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1-10-1998).
  2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "Assistant Director" (w.e.f. 1-10-1998).
  3. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "Deputy Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1-10-1998).
  4. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "Deputy Director" (w.e.f. 1-10-1998).
  5. Ins. by Act 10 of 2000, s. 59 (w.e.f. 1-6-2000).
  6. Subs. by Act 25 of 2014, s. 4, for "Chief Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1-6-2013).
  7. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for "Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1-6-2012).
  1[158BG. Authority competent to make the block assessment.-
  The order of assessment for the block period shall be passed by an Assessing Officer not below the rank of an 2[Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner] or an 3[Assistant Director or Deputy Director], as the case may be:
  Provided that no such order shall be passed without the previous approval of-
  (a) the 4[Principal Commissioner or Commissioner] or 5[Principal Director or Director], as the case may be, in respect of search initiated under section 132 or books of account, other documents or any assets requisitioned under section 132A, after the 30th day of June, 1995 but before the 1st day of January, 1997;
  (b) the 6[Joint Commissioner] or the 7[Joint Director], as the case may be, in respect of search initiated under section 132 or books of account, other documents or any assets requisitioned under section 132A, on or after the 1st day of January, 1997.]
  1. Subs. by Act 13 of 1997, s. 7, for section 158BG (w.e.f. 1-1-1997).
  2. Subs. by Act 21 of 1998, s. 3, for "Assistant Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1-10-1998).
  3. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "Assistant Director" (w.e.f. 1-10-1998).
  4. Subs. by Act 25 of 2014, s. 4, for "Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1-6-2013).
  5. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for "Director" (w.e.f. 1-6-2013).
  6. Subs. by Act 21 of 1998, s. 3, for "Deputy Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1-10-1998).
  7. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "Deputy Director" (w.e.f. 1-10-1998).
  158BH. Application of other provisions of this Act.-
  Save as otherwise provided in this Chapter, all other provisions of this Act shall apply to assessment made under this Chapter.]
  8[158BI. Chapter not to apply after certain date.-
  The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply where a search is initiated under section 132, or books of account, other documents or any assets are requisitioned under section 132A after the 31st day of May, 2003.]
  8. Ins. by Act 32 of 2003, s. 67 (w.e.f. 1-6-2003).