Income Tax Notices Must Now Include a Document Identification Number
- Document
- Circular Circular No. 4/2026
- Effective
- 31 March 2026
This page was written by Patron Accounting’s AI from the official release and reviewed before publishing. It explains the document in plain language. It is not the document itself. Where this page and the original differ, the original governs.
In short
Circular No. 4/2026 requires that all official income tax communications carry a computer-generated Document Identification Number (DIN). This rule ensures that any notice or order you receive is authentic and officially tracked by the tax department.
What has changed
How it worked before
Previously, Circular No. 19/2019 governed the use of these identification numbers. The new circular replaces that older guidance to align with updated tax laws passed in the Finance Act 2026.
What has changed
Every page of a formal tax communication must now display a unique, computer-generated DIN. If a document does not have this number, it is generally considered invalid unless the tax officer explicitly notes an exceptional situation.
Who this affects
This affects any individual or business owner who receives notices, summons, or orders from income tax authorities. It applies to all formal correspondence sent to you by the tax department.
What you should do
You do not need to file any forms or take proactive steps. Simply check that any letter or notice you receive from the tax office includes a DIN on every page; if it is missing, verify if the document explains why it was issued without one.
The original document
| Issued by | IT |
|---|---|
| Document | Circular Circular No. 4/2026 |
| Full title | Circular No. 4/2026 |
| Effective | 31 March 2026 |
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