Outstanding tax demand: agree, disagree, or part

The portal's FAQ on outstanding demand explains why a reply matters. If you do not respond, the demand will be confirmed and adjusted against your refund, or shown as payable against your PAN.

Where

Log in, then Pending Actions > Response to Outstanding Demand.

Your options

• Agree: Pay Now against the DRN (Demand Reference Number)
• Disagree in full or part: pick a reason from the list and give details
• Reason not listed: choose Others and enter it

Example

Illustrative example only. Demand shows ₹18,000. You agree with ₹3,000, since TDS of ₹15,000 was missed. Choose Disagree (Part), give the reason, and pay the ₹3,000 undisputed portion, as the FAQ advises.

⚠️ Note

Check that a message is genuine by logging in yourself. You can see past responses by clicking View against the demand.

Before you respond

• ☐ Log in and open the demand
• ☐ Match it with Form 26AS and your ITR
• ☐ Choose agree or disagree
• ☐ Save the response

Need to write to your AO as well? Letter format is ready →

Source: incometax.gov.in, Respond to Outstanding Demand FAQ.