As stated earlier, penal interest under Section 234A at 1% per month is payable by the non-resident Indian on the belated submission of the income tax return, if he is required to voluntarily submit it under the provisions of Section 139(1). Likewise, where the non-resident Indian does not furnish the return of income within 30 days, when he is required to do so through an individual notice from the Assessing Officer, penal interest at 1% p.m. is also required to be paid. Similarly, in matters of delay in payment of income tax or where the income tax is allowed to be paid by instalments, interest at 1% p.m. is normally charged from the taxpayer. Likewise, on the refund of income tax, interest at 1/2% p.m. is paid by the Central Government under Section 244A. Where there is concealment of income, the minimum penalty leviable under Section 271(1)(c) is equal to the income tax and the maximum is equal to three time the income tax sought to be evaded. For non-payment of regular income tax a penalty can be levied by the Assessing Officer under Section 221 which may be increased from time, but not as to exceed 100% of the arrear income tax. |
