§ 486
Chapter XXII — Offences And Prosecution
Punishment not to be imposed in certain cases
Income-tax Act, 2025
If a person or a company fails to comply with the requirements of sections 476 or 477, they are not liable for punishment provided they can demonstrate a reasonable cause for the failure. This defence applies regardless of any other provisions in those sections.
- Applicable to both individuals and companies.
- Burden is on the taxpayer to prove the reasonable cause.
📜 Official text of the section +
486. No person shall be punishable for any failure referred to in section 476
or 477, irrespective of anything contained in that section, if he proves that
there was reasonable cause for such failure.
Offences by companies.
Plain-language summary — not the official text. Refer to the bare Act and confirm with a professional for your specific case.
Related sections
§ 473Whoever contravenes any order referred to in section 247(4) shall be§ 474If a person, who is required to afford the authorised officer with the necessary§ 475Removal, concealment, transfer or delivery of property to prevent tax recovery§ 476Failure to pay tax to credit of Central Government under Chapter XIX-B§ 477Failure to pay tax collected at source§ 478Wilful attempt to evade tax, etc