TAX AUDIT APPLICABILITY & PENALTIES FOR AY 2023-24

It outlines the criteria for tax audit requirements for businesses, professionals, and other entities. Additionally, it highlights the penalties imposed for failing to comply with tax audit regulations. Understanding the consequences of non-compliance is crucial to maintaining financial integrity and avoiding potential penalties.

 

 

Tax Audit Applicability & Penalties for Non compliances for AY 2023-24 – The tax audit applicability for AY 2023-24 is as follows:

 

Businesses:

  • If the gross receipts or turnover of a business exceeds Rs. 1 crore, then a tax audit is required.

 

  • If the gross receipts or turnover of a business exceeds Rs. 10 crores, but is less than Rs. 50 crores, and the percentage of cash transactions is less than 5%, then a tax audit is not required.

 

  • If the gross receipts or turnover of a business exceeds Rs. 50 crores, regardless of the percentage of cash transactions, then a tax audit is required.

 

 

tax audit

 

 

Professionals:

  • If the gross receipts of a professional exceed Rs. 75 lakhs, then a tax audit is required.

 

  • If a professional is eligible for the presumptive taxation scheme under Section 44DA, and claims a profit below the prescribed limit, then a tax audit is required.

 

 

Other entities:

  • Entities that are registered under Section 10(23C) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and whose annual receipts exceed Rs. 5 crore, require the services of a statutory audit firm.

 

 

Please note that these are the general applicability criteria. There may be other circumstances that may require a tax audit, such as if a taxpayer is involved in a high-risk business or if the taxpayer has been under investigation by the tax authorities.

 

If you are unsure whether you are required to have a tax audit, you should consult with a chartered accountant.

 

The penalty for non-compliance with tax audit is as follows:

 

For businesses:

  • If the gross receipts or turnover of a business exceeds Rs. 1 crore, and the taxpayer fails to get the accounts audited, then a penalty of 0.5% of the total sales, turnover or gross receipts, or Rs. 1,50,000, whichever is less, will be levied.

 

  • If the gross receipts or turnover of a business exceeds Rs. 10 crores, but is less than Rs. 50 crores, and the percentage of cash transactions is less than 5%, and the taxpayer fails to get the accounts audited, then a penalty of 0.5% of the total sales, turnover or gross receipts, or Rs. 75,000, whichever is less, will be levied.

 

  • If the gross receipts or turnover of a business exceeds Rs. 50 crores, regardless of the percentage of cash transactions, and the taxpayer fails to get the accounts audited, then a penalty of 0.5% of the total sales, turnover or gross receipts, or Rs. 1,50,000, whichever is less, will be levied.

 

 

For professionals:

  • If the gross receipts of a professional exceed Rs. 75 lakhs, and the taxpayer fails to get the accounts audited, then a penalty of 0.5% of the total gross receipts, or Rs. 75,000, whichever is less, will be levied.

 

  • If a professional is eligible for the presumptive taxation scheme under Section 44DA, and claims a profit below the prescribed limit, and the taxpayer fails to get the accounts audited, then a penalty of 0.5% of the total gross receipts, or Rs. 37,500, whichever is less, will be levied.

 

 

The penalty for non-compliance with tax audit is a serious matter. If you are unsure whether you are required to have a tax audit, you should consult with a chartered accountant.

 

 

tax audit

 

 

Here are some of the reasons why non-compliance with tax audit can be a serious matter:

 

  • It can lead to the imposition of penalties by the tax authorities.
  • It can make it more difficult to defend yourself in the event of an audit.
  • It can damage your reputation with the tax authorities.
  • It can make it more difficult to obtain loans or other financial products.

 

 

If you are required to have a tax audit, it is important to comply with the requirements. This will help to ensure that your tax affairs are in order and that you avoid any potential penalties.

 

 

 

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Understanding the tax audit applicability and penalties for non-compliance is crucial for taxpayers in AY 2023-24. This article has provided valuable information on the criteria for tax audit requirements for businesses, professionals, and other entities. Additionally, it has highlighted the penalties incurred for failing to comply with tax audit regulations. By ensuring tax affairs are in order and meeting the necessary requirements taxpayers can avoid penalties, maintain their financial integrity, and safeguard their reputation with tax authorities.