Case transfer power: authorities may transfer tax cases with recorded reasons and limited hearing requirements, preserving continuity of proceedings.
A specified income-tax authority may transfer any case between Assessing Officers under its control or, where authorities differ, by agreement or by an order of the Board (or an authority the Board specifies by notification). The authority must record reasons and, "wherever it is possible to do so," afford the assessee a reasonable opportunity to be heard, except for transfers between officers in the same city/locality/place; transfers may occur at any stage and notices already issued need not be re issued. The enacted text consolidates the temporal definition of "case" and makes minor drafting refinements.