How to Check an Income Tax Notice Online?

Getting a message from the Income Tax Department can feel unsettling. Most people instantly think something serious has happened. In truth, a tax notice is often routine. It might just ask you to confirm a detail, fix a small mismatch, or verify a figure from your return. You know, these days, you do not have to visit the tax office. You have to log in to your Income Tax Portal, and you will get your notice in a minute.

Let us guide you through the notices one by one and tell you how to check online.

What is an Income Tax Notice?

An income tax notice is a formal alert from the department. It tells you that something in your records needs attention. It can be a small typing error or as simple as a mismatch between what you filed and what your employer reported.

Main reasons for getting an Income Tax Notice

• The income you declared doesn’t match what your bank or employer reported.
• You left out some income, such as interest or capital gains.
• You claimed a deduction that looks higher than usual.
• You used the wrong form or missed a few fields while filing.
• The system randomly picked your return for a quick review.

Different Kinds of Tax Notices

Each notice has a specific purpose. Here are the main ones you might come across:

• Section 143(1): This is the “intimation” notice you get once your return is processed. It states whether you’re due a refund, owe more tax, or if everything matches.
• Section 139(9): Sent when your return is defective or incomplete.
• Section 143(2): A scrutiny notice that asks for more details about your income or deductions.
• Section 148: Sent if the department thinks some income wasn’t reported.
• Section 156: A demand notice telling you that extra tax or interest needs to be paid.

How to Check your Income Tax Notice Online?

You can see all notices and communications on the official income tax portal.

Step 1: Open the Official Website

Go to the Income Tax portal and use your PAN to log in with your PAN card. If the system asks for an OTP, enter the one sent to your registered phone or email.

Step 2: Login or Register

• Click on Login in the top right corner.
• Enter your PAN, Aadhaar, or User ID and your password.
• You may be asked for an OTP on your registered mobile number or email for verification.
• If you are a new user, click Register and follow the instructions to create an account.

Step 3: Method 1 – Check Through “View Filed Returns”

• On the top menu, select e-File.
• Under Income Tax Returns, click on View Filed Returns.
• You will see a list of all your previously filed returns.
• If there are any notices or communications linked to a particular return, they will appear here along with the relevant assessment year.
• You can click View Details to read or download the notice.

Step 4: Method 2 – Check Through “Worklist”

• On the menu bar, click on Pending Actions.
• From the drop-down list, select Worklist.
• You will see two tabs: For Your Action and For Your Information.
• Any pending notice, communication, or task that requires your attention will appear under For Your Action.
• If you only need to review a notice without any response needed, it will show up under For Your Information.

Step 5: Method 3 – Check Through “e-Proceedings”

1. On the same menu bar, click Pending Actions again.
2. Select e-Proceedings.
3. This section shows all notices and assessment-related communications issued by the department.
4. Click on the relevant notice to open it, view details, and download it if needed.
5. If a response is required, you can submit it directly through this section.

Step 6: Check for “Response to Outstanding Demand” (Demand Notice)

If the department has raised any tax demand against you, follow these steps:

• Go to Pending Actions on the menu bar.
• Click on Response to Outstanding Demand.
• A list of all pending tax demands, if any, will be displayed.
• Each entry will show:
• The Assessment Year
• The Section of the Act
• The Demand Amount
• The Status of the demand (e.g., Pending, Adjusted, or Paid)
• You can click Submit Response to:
• Agree with the demand and make the payment online, or
• Disagree and provide your explanation with supporting documents.

Step 7: Download and Save a Copy

Once you find a notice or demand, always download and save a copy of the communication for your personal records. You might need it later while responding or consulting a tax professional.

What to Do After Receiving a Tax Notice?

• Don’t panic. Read the notice word by word.
• Note the year it refers to and the deadline to reply.
• Collect the necessary paperwork before responding.
• File your income tax notice response on time.
• Save every document and acknowledgement.

If you are unsure about anything, speak to a tax professional. Sometimes a five-minute consultation can save hours of confusion.

Mistakes to Avoid

People often make small errors that lead to bigger problems later. Try to avoid these:

• Ignoring the notice and hoping it will go away.
• Making a payment before verifying the details.
• Sending a reply without proper evidence.
• Waiting until the last day to respond.
• Falling for fake calls or emails pretending to be from the tax department.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a tax notice online is much easier than most people think. The system is transparent and designed so that anyone can use it without help. The most important thing is to stay calm, verify the notice, and act within time. Usually, a quick response is all it takes to close the matter.

Make it a habit to check your income tax account every few months. It only takes a few minutes and keeps you aware of any updates or communications. Think of it as routine maintenance for your financial records.

Related Service

ITR Filing Online