Income tax authorities have turned the heat on taxpayers who have missed paying advance tax as the department makes a yearend dash to meet budget targets. The authorities have started issuing show-cause notices asking assessees to explain why any advance tax instalment was missed.

They are also demanding a copy of the accounts for the period until January 15, 2019, warning of stern action if tax is not paid in time. “These notices were sent out when it was observed that a taxpayer has supressed advance tax payment,” a senior government official told ET. However, he said only a few notices had been issued.

“It is apparent that the assessee is not paying proper advance tax. In this regard, you are hereby asked to explain why order under section 210 (3) should not be passed in your case,” according to a notice seen by ET. The notice also asks the taxpayer to submit the calculation of estimated tax liability for FY2019.

“A copy of trial balance and profit and loss account as on January 15, 2019, may be furnished in support of your claim along with the computation of income and tax liability sheet,” the notice said.

With revenue collections from the goods and services tax expected to miss the target for the year, the government is looking at direct taxes to overcome some of the shortfall. The government has said it will meet the fiscal deficit target of 3.3% of GDP for the year.

Advance tax is paid in four instalments – June, September, December and March. It is based on the taxpayers’ assessment of projected income and provides an indication of industry’s performance in the months ahead.

Typically, 15% of the tax liability is paid in June, 45% by September, 75% by December and full payment by March.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes directs field officers to closely monitor advance tax payments to ensure that taxpayers pay what is due.

“Tax authorities are leaving no stone unturned to see that the targets for raising revenue are met. Assessees who have not paid advance tax are being closely monitored by the tax authorities,” said Rakesh Nangia, founder and managing partner of Nangia Advisors LLP.

Nangia said with GST collections behind target, there is an aggressive drive to see that other targets for FY19 are met. However, experts said such notices are usually used sparingly and taxpayers may have paid lower tax due to working capital issues.

“There could be instances where the taxpayers have either not been able to pay or shortpaid the advance tax due to working capital issues,” said Amit Maheshwari, a partner at Ashok Maheshwary & Associates LLP.

Net direct tax collections increased 13.6% to Rs 7.43 lakh crore during April-December, equivalent to 64.7% of the budget estimates of `11.5 lakh crore, the government said earlier this month.