276CCC32[Failure to furnish return of income in search cases.
Section 276CCC · Chapter XXII · page 1013 of the Act
If a person wilfully fails to furnish in due time the return of income, setting forth his undisclosed income for the block period, which he is required to furnish by notice given under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC, he shall be punishable —
(a) with simple imprisonment for a term up to two years, or with fine, or with both, where the amount of tax exceeds fifty lakh rupees; or
(b) with simple imprisonment up to six months, or with fine, or with both, where the amount of tax exceeds ten lakh rupees but does not exceed fifty lakh rupees; or
(c) with fine, in any other case:
Provided that no person shall be punishable for any failure under this section in respect of search initiated under section 132 or books of account, other
documents or any assets requisitioned under section 132A, after the 30th day of June, 1995 but before the 1st day of January, 1997.]
32 Sub. by Act No. 4 of 2026, w.e.f. 1-3-2026. Prior to its substitution, section 276CCC, as ins. by Act No. 14 of 1997, w.e.f. 1-1-1997 and later on amended by Act No. 15 of 2024, w.e.f. 1-9-2024, read as under : "276CCC. Failure to furnish return of income in search cases.—If a person wilfully fails to furnish in due time the return of total income which he is required to furnish by notice given under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 158BC, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to three years and with fine : Provided that no person shall be punishable for any failure under this section in respect of search initiated under section 132 or books of account, other documents or any assets requisitioned under section 132A, after the 30th day of June, 1995 but before the 1st day of January, 1997."