Can I use the new Budget 2026 Section 270AA immunity for an "old" Jan 2026 assessment order? (Misreporting charge + No penalty order yet)
​
Hi everyone, I need some serious technical advice from CAs or tax lawyers regarding a transitional edge case with the new Finance Act 2026 amendments.
The Situation:
• I received a scrutiny assessment order under Section 143(3) in January 2026.
• The Assessing Officer (AO) has alleged "misreporting" of income.
• I received the penalty notice, but the actual Penalty Order has NOT been passed yet.
The Legal Dilemma:
Under the old rules, misreporting completely disqualified you from Section 270AA immunity. However, the Finance Act 2026 (Clause 14 & 15) amended Section 270AA effective March 1, 2026. We can now get immunity from the 200% penalty and prosecution for misreporting by paying 100% additional tax.
The normal rule is that you must apply within 1 month of the assessment order (which would mean my deadline expired on Feb 28, 2026—one day before the new law kicked in).
My Defense / The "Loophole":
I was reading the exact substituted text for the new Section 270AA(2) in the budget document, and it states:
"An application referred to in sub-section (1) shall be made within one month from the end of the month in which the order referred to in clause (a) and clause (b) of the said sub-section has been received..."
Clause (a) refers to the assessment order (which I have).
• Clause (b) refers to the penalty/additional tax demand (which I do not have yet).
Because the new law uses the word "AND", my interpretation is that the 1-month statutory clock hasn't even legally started for me yet because both conditions haven't been met.
My Questions for the Pros:
Is my legal interpretation of the "clause (a) and clause (b)" wording solid enough to stand up in an appeal?
Because my assessment order is from Jan 2026, I suspect the Income Tax portal will automatically block me from filing Form 68 online, assuming my 1-month window is closed. Has anyone successfully filed a manual application/grievance to the JAO for this specific transitional issue?
Should I proactively submit a manual letter to my AO opting for the 100% additional tax route before they pass the 200% penalty order?
Any advice or practical experience with the new portal updates regarding this would be highly appreciated!
TL;DR: Got a 143(3) assessment in Jan 2026 with a misreporting charge. No penalty order issued yet. Trying to use the new "clause (a) AND clause (b)" wording in the amended Section 270AA(2) to prove my 1-month clock hasn't started, so I can claim the new 100% tax immunity instead of facing a 200% penalty. Need advice on how to execute this if the portal blocks me.