Determination of Expenses for Audit

Last updated: 09 February 2008

NOTIFICATION NO. 20/2008, DATED 5-2-2008

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2D) of section 142 of the Income-tax Act, 1961(43 of 1961), the Central Board of Direct Taxes hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Income -tax Rules, 1962, namely:-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2008.

(2) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Income-tax Rules, 1962, after rule 14A, the following rule shall be inserted, namely :-

"14B Guidelines for the purposes of determining expenses for audit-

(1) Every Chief Commissioner shall maintain a panel of accountants, out of the persons referred to in the Explanation to sub-section (2) of section 288, for the purposes of sub-section (2A) of section 142.

(2) Where the Assessing Officer directs for audit under sub-section (2A) of section 142 on or after the 1st day of June, 2007, the expenses of, and incidental to, audit (including the remuneration of the Accountant, qualified Assistants, semi-qualified and other Assistants who may be engaged by such Accountant) shall not be less than rupees three thousand seven hundred and fifty and not more than rupees seven thousand and five hundred for every hour of the period as specified by the Assessing Officer under sub-section (2C) of section 142.

(3) The period referred to in sub-rule (2) shall be specified in terms of the number of hours required for completing the report.

(4) The Accountant referred to in sub-section (2A) of section 142 shall maintain a time-sheet and shall submit it to the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner, along with the bill.

(5) The Chief Commissioner or the Commissioner shall ensure that the number of hours claimed for billing purposes is commensurate with the size and quality of the report submitted by the Accountant."