<s>[INST] When it shall be deemed that Income has escaped Assessment? [/INST] ​In cases other than Search, Survey or Requisition
The information suggesting that the income chargeable to tax has escaped assessment means any information flagged in the case of the assessee for the relevant assessment year as per the ‘Risk Management Strategy’ formulated by the CBDT from time to time or any final objection raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) to the effect that the assessment in the case of the assessee for the relevant assessment year has not been made as per the provisions of the Income-tax Act.

In search, survey or requisition cases
In search, survey or requisition cases initiated or made or conducted, on or after 1st April 2021, it shall be deemed that the Assessing Officer has information which suggests that the income chargeable to tax has escaped assessment in the case of the assessee for the 3 assessment years immediately preceding the assessment year relevant to the previous year in the following cases:

(a) A search is initiated under section 132 or books of account, other documents or any assets are requisitioned under section 132A, on or after the 1st day of April 2021, in the case of the assessee;

(b) A Survey is conducted under section 133A in the case of the assessee;

(c) The Assessing Officer is satisfied, with the prior approval of PCIT or CIT, that any money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing, seized or requisitioned in case of any other person on or after the 1st day of April 2021, belongs to the assessee; or

(d) The Assessing Officer is satisfied, with the prior approval of PCIT or CIT, that any books of account or documents, seized or requisitioned in case of any other person on or after the 1st day of April 2021, pertains or pertain to, or any information contained therein, relate to, the assessee.

Procedure before Issuance of Notice

The Assessing Officer shall be required to follow the below procedure as laid down in Section 148A before issuing a notice under new section 148 in cases other than search, survey or requisition.

Conducting Inquiry
The Assessing Officer shall conduct an enquiry, if required, with the prior approval of specified authority, concerning the information which suggests that income chargeable to tax has escaped assessment.

 Granting an opportunity of being heard
The Assessing Officer shall provide an opportunity of being heard to the assessee, by serving upon him a notice to show cause within such time, as may be specified in the notice, being not less than 7 days but not exceeding 30 days from the date on which such notice is issued, or such time, as may be extended by him based on an application in this behalf, as to why a notice under new section 148 should not be issued based on information which suggests that income chargeable to tax has escaped assessment in his case for the relevant assessment year and results of an enquiry conducted, if any.

Consider Reply of Assessee The Assessing Officer shall consider the reply furnished by the assessee furnished, if any, in response to the show-cause notice issued by AO.
Passing an Order
The Assessing Officer shall decide, based on material available on record including reply of the assessee, whether or not it is a fit case to issue a notice under new section 148, by passing an order, with the prior approval of specified authority, within 1 month from the end of the month in which the reply of the assessee is received by him, or where no such reply is furnished, within 1 month from the end of the month in which time or extended time allowed to furnish a reply expires.

Approval of higher authorities to be obtained in Search, Survey and Requisition Cases

The Finance Act, 2022 has inserted a new section 148B, w.e.f., Assessment Year 2022-23, to provide that no order of assessment or reassessment or recomputation under the Act shall be passed by an Assessing Officer below the rank of Joint Commissioner, in respect of an assessment year to which clause (i) or clause (ii) or clause (iii) or clause (iv) of Explanation 2 to section 148 apply except with the prior approval of the Additional Commissioner or Additional Director or Joint Commissioner or Joint Director.

The above mentioned four clauses of Explanation 2 to section 148 provide cases of deemed information. If situations, circumstances, or actions as described in these 4 clauses exist, then it will be a case of deemed information, and the AO can acquire jurisdiction to issue a notice under section 148. </s>