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Tax Law — Deep Expertise

Blackthorn Law Offices · Delhi High Court

Expert representation in income tax assessments, reassessments, search and seizure matters, ITAT appeals and Delhi High Court writ petitions. Every notice, every demand, every dispute — handled with precision.

The Legal Framework

What the Law Says

India's income tax framework is governed by the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Act imposes tax on income under five heads: Salary, House Property, Business/Profession, Capital Gains and Other Sources. The CBDT administers the Act through Assessing Officers, CIT(A), ITAT, High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Recent years have brought sweeping changes: faceless assessments, the Annual Information Statement (AIS), mandatory e-proceedings and enhanced penalties. The AIS now captures data from banks, brokers, registrars and foreign exchanges — making undisclosed income increasingly detectable and non-compliance increasingly costly.

Our Services

What We Do

  • Notice Handling — Section 139(9) defective return corrections, 143(1) intimation responses, 143(2) scrutiny appearances, 148/148A reassessment replies
  • Assessment Representation — Appearing before Assessing Officers, CIT(A), ITAT and Delhi High Court in all income tax proceedings
  • Search & Seizure (Section 132) — Immediate representation on day of search, statement recording guidance, post-search compliance
  • Penalty Proceedings — Defending 271(1)(c), 270A and other penalty notices; penalty waiver applications
  • ITAT Appeals — Full drafting and arguing of income tax appeals before the Delhi ITAT bench
  • High Court Writs — Section 260A appeals and writ petitions before Delhi High Court
  • Tax Planning — Legitimate structuring under old and new regimes; HUF planning, capital gains optimisation
Transparency

Fee Guide

Blackthorn operates on a transparent, upfront fee structure. Every engagement begins with a clear fee estimate — no surprises, no hidden charges. The ranges below are indicative; your specific matter will be quoted precisely after the initial consultation.

ServiceIndicative Fee Range
Tax Notice Consultation (1 hour)₹3,000 – ₹5,000
Notice Reply 143(1)/139(9)₹5,000 – ₹15,000
Scrutiny Assessment Representation₹25,000 – ₹75,000
Reassessment (147/148) Proceedings₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000
First Appeal — CIT(A)₹20,000 – ₹60,000
ITAT Appeal — Drafting & Arguing₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000
Delhi High Court — Writ/260A₹75,000 – ₹3,00,000
Search & Seizure — Day 1₹50,000 onwards
Annual Tax Retainer₹30,000 – ₹1,20,000 p.a.

* All fees are exclusive of applicable GST. Court filing fees, stamp duty and other statutory charges are billed at actuals.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

I received a Section 143(2) scrutiny notice. What should I do?+
A 143(2) notice means the Assessing Officer wants to examine your return in detail. You must respond within the stipulated time — non-response allows the AO to make a best-judgement assessment which is almost always unfavourable. Engage a tax advocate immediately and gather all documentation for every income source, deduction and exemption claimed in your return.
Can I appeal against a tax demand I disagree with?+
Yes. File a first appeal before the Commissioner (Appeals) within 30 days of the assessment order. Apply simultaneously for a stay of the demand — paying 20% typically secures an automatic stay of the balance. Appeals must be accompanied by carefully drafted grounds; poorly articulated grounds weaken your case at every subsequent level.
What is the difference between a Section 147 and 148 notice?+
Section 147 is the power of reassessment — the AO believes income has escaped assessment. Section 148 is the notice issued to initiate it. Post the 2021 amendment, reassessment beyond 3 years requires escaped income exceeding ₹50 lakh. The new 148A procedure requires the AO to give you an opportunity to respond before issuing the reassessment notice proper.
What happens if I miss the deadline to respond to a notice?+
The AO proceeds ex-parte — making an assessment without your input, almost always resulting in a high demand. You can still file for rectification or appeal, but ex-parte orders are harder to challenge. Always respond within the notice period, even if only to request an adjournment.
How long does an ITAT appeal take?+
ITAT appeals in Delhi typically take 18 months to 3 years to reach final hearing. The ITAT is the final fact-finding authority. Urgent matters involving attached assets can sometimes be listed faster on priority.

Other Practice Areas

Blackthorn offers integrated counsel across nine interlocking practice areas.

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