Deemed assessee in default for non-deduction or non-collection of tax exposes deductors/collectors to interest and asset charge.
Failure to deduct, collect, or pay tax causes the person required to do so to be deemed an assessee in default, liable for interest on delayed deduction/collection and on delayed payment, and, where tax has been deducted or collected but not paid, the tax and interest form a statutory charge on all assets; a safe harbour exists if the recipient has filed a return, included the amount and paid tax and the deductor/collector produces the prescribed accountant's certificate, while penalty can be imposed only if the assessing officer is satisfied there were no good and sufficient reasons for the failure.