Income-tax return failure penalties now tiered by evaded tax amount, with imprisonment or fine based on thresholds.

Amendment to section 479 establishes a tiered penalty regime for willful failure to furnish returns: simple imprisonment up to two years or fine where the evaded tax exceeds fifty lakh rupees; simple imprisonment up to six months or fine where the evaded tax exceeds ten lakh but does not exceed fifty lakh rupees; and a fine in all other cases. The change replaces prior mandatory minima and applies to failures to file returns required under the cited provisions, effective 1st April, 2026.

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