Check expertise against the actual assignment
A notice response starts with authentication, the stated issue and the response deadline.
Ask about experience with your entity, sector and the intended deliverable. If a report, certification or representation requires a particular qualification or registration, verify it through the relevant professional or regulator source. Do not rely on an unverified badge or a promise of a favourable outcome.
Questions to ask on the first call
Which facts are disputed, what evidence is missing and who approves the reply?
Scope drafting, electronic submission, follow-up hearings and representation separately.
Checklist
- Who prepares the work, who reviews it and who communicates with me?
- What evidence is missing and what assumptions are being made?
- What is included, what is excluded and how is extra work authorised?
- What will I receive and who retains control of the records?
Agree how the work will be delivered across MMR
For Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Panvel businesses, location matters when original documents, a premises visit or physical verification are needed. Ask which steps can be remote and whether travel or site work is included. Serving an area is not proof that a provider has an office there.
Preserve the notice, assessment-year details, filed return, computation and records addressing the specific discrepancy.
Warning signs in a proposal
Replying with unrelated documents or missing the stated response date can worsen the dispute.
Be cautious about guaranteed approvals, undisclosed fees, pressure to share one-time codes and proposals that omit client responsibilities. Ask for realistic dependencies and a defined complaint or escalation channel.
Protect continuity if you change providers
Keep the submitted response, upload acknowledgement and a log of subsequent communications.
Require an accessible export or copy of your records and final work. Agree how access is revoked and pending matters are transferred. A service relationship should not leave your business unable to obtain its own filing history or accounts.
How to use this resource


