Form ITR-B is mandatory for reporting undisclosed income from tax searches after Sept 1, 2024. File electronically within 60 days of notice.
The Ministry of Finance, via Gazette Notification No. 30/2025 issued on April 7, 2025, has introduced Form ITR-B starting from the Financial Year 2025-26.
This specific return form is mandated for taxpayers subjected to a search operation under Section 132 or a requisition under Section 132A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Its primary purpose is to capture and report undisclosed income identified during such proceedings.
Understanding Form ITR-B
Form ITR-B is designed for taxpayers required to report previously undisclosed income uncovered during search or requisition proceedings initiated on or after September 1, 2024.
A key feature of this form is its ability to cover a “block” of assessment years. Following a search or requisition, a taxpayer may file Form ITR-B for multiple preceding assessment years simultaneously, up to a maximum of six years at one time.
Who Is Required to File Form ITR-B?
Electronic filing of Form ITR-B is mandatory for any entity—including companies, political parties, or individuals subject to tax audits—facing a search or requisition initiated on or after September 1, 2024.
Eligible Filers Include:
- Domestic and foreign companies
- Political parties
- Individuals and entities liable for tax audit under Section 44AB
- Any other persons subject to the specified search or requisition conditions
Structure of Form ITR-B
The form is divided into specific sections to organize the reporting of data:
| Part | Section Name | Information Required |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Information | Basic details (PAN, Name, Contact), employment nature, dates of search, and details of the block period. |
| Part B | Income Computation | Breakdown of income from Salary, House Property, Business/Profession, Capital Gains, and Other Sources. |
| Part C | Undisclosed Income | Detailed breakup of undisclosed income categorized by year, source, and head of income. |
| Part D | Tax Payable | Calculation of tax, surcharge, cess, and interest due on the undisclosed income. |
| Part E | Payments & Credits | Details of TDS, advance tax, self-assessment tax paid, and other credits. |
| Part F | Verification | Taxpayer’s declaration confirming the accuracy of the submitted data. |
Filing Procedure
Form ITR-B must be submitted electronically. The verification method depends on the type of taxpayer:
| Taxpayer Category | Filing Method |
|---|---|
| Audit cases, Companies, Political Parties | Must be filed electronically using a Digital Signature. |
| All Other Persons | Can be filed electronically using a Digital Signature OR via Electronic Verification Code (EVC). |
Submission Deadline
The deadline for furnishing Form ITR-B is 60 days from the date the tax notice is issued following the search or requisition proceedings.
Critical Notes for Filing
Note 01: Defining the Block Period (Y6 to Y1)
Taxpayers can file for the six assessment years immediately preceding the assessment year relevant to the financial year of the search.
- Scenario A: If the search concludes in the same year it began, “Y0” represents the period from April 1st of that year until the authorization date.
- Scenario B: If the search spans across years, “Y0” covers the full evaluation period starting April 1st of the initiation year through March 31st of the next year.
Essentially, Y0 covers the timeframe from the start of the action to its conclusion.
Note 02: Provisional Returns (Year 1)
When filing for “Year 1” (where the financial year has ended but the Section 139(1) deadline has not), a provisional return filed by an audit-subjected person is not treated as an official Section 139(1) return.
Note 03: Provisional Returns (Year 0)
Similarly, for “Year 0” filings under the same conditions (financial year ended, standard deadline active), a provisional return is not considered an official standard return.
Note 04: Exclusions for Specific Transactions
Undisclosed income arising from international or specific domestic transactions during the block period must be assessed separately. Such income is excluded from the block return provisions under Section 158BB(3).
Official Notification Download
You can access the official Gazette notification and the form layout by clicking here.
Conclusion
Form ITR-B streamlines the disclosure process for taxpayers involved in search and seizure cases. By consolidating reporting for undisclosed income, it simplifies compliance. However, these provisions apply strictly to searches or requisitions initiated on or after September 1, 2024.
