- The [Assessing Officer] [ Substituted by Act 4 of 1988, Section 2, for " Income-tax Officer" (w.e.f. 1.4.1988).][, the Deputy Commissioner (Appeals)] [ Substituted by Act 4 of 1988, Section 2, for " Appellate Assistant Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1.4.1988).], [the ] [Substituted by Act 29 of 1977, Section 39 and Schedule V, for certain words (w.e.f. 10.7.1978).][Joint Commissioner] [ Substituted by Act 21 of 1998, Section 3, for " Deputy Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1.10.1998).][or the Commissioner (Appeals)] [Substituted by Act 29 of 1977, Section 39 and Schedule V, for certain words (w.e.f. 10.7.1978).] may, for the purposes of this Act,-(1)require any firm to furnish him with a return of the names and addresses of the partners of the firm and their respective shares;(2)require any Hindu undivided family to furnish him with a return of the names and addresses of the manager and the members of the family;(3)require any person whom he has reason to believe to be a trustee, guardian or agent, to furnish him with a return of the names of the persons for or of whom he is trustee, guardian or agent, and of their addresses;(4)require any assessee to furnish a statement of the names and addresses of all persons to whom he has paid in any previous year rent, interest, commission, royalty or brokerage, or any annuity, not being any annuity taxable under the head "Salaries" amounting to more than [one thousand rupees, or such higher amount as may be prescribed] [ Substituted by Act 4 of 1988, Section 39, for " four hundred rupees" (w.e.f. 1.4.1989).] together with particulars of all such payments made;(5)require any dealer, broker or agent or any person concerned in the management of a stock or commodity exchange to furnish a statement of the names and addresses of all persons to whom he or the exchange has paid any sum in connection with the transfer, whether by way of sale, exchange or otherwise, of assets, or on whose behalf or from whom he or the exchange has received any such sum, together with particulars of all such payments and receipts;(6)require any person, including a banking company or any officer thereof, to furnish information in relation to such points or matters, or to furnish statements of accounts and affairs verified in the manner specified by the [Assessing Officer] [ Substituted by Act 4 of 1988, Section 2, for " Income-tax Officer" (w.e.f. 1.4.1988).], the [Deputy Commissioner (Appeals)] [ Substituted by Act 4 of 1988, Section 2, for " Appellate Assistant Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1.4.1988).], [the ] [ Substituted by Act 29 of 1977, Section 39 and Schedule V, for certain words (w.e.f. 10.7.1978).][Joint Commissioner] [Substituted by Act 21 of 1998, Section 3, for " Deputy Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1.10.1998).][or the Commissioner (Appeals)] [ Substituted by Act 29 of 1977, Section 39 and Schedule V, for certain words (w.e.f. 10.7.1978).], giving information in relation to such points or matters as, in the opinion of the [Assessing Officer] [ Substituted by Act 4 of 1988, Section 2, for " Income-tax Officer" (w.e.f. 1.4.1988).], the [Deputy Commissioner (Appeals)] [ Substituted by Act 4 of 1988, Section 2, for " Appellate Assistant Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1.4.1988).], [the ] [Substituted by Act 29 of 1977, Section 39 and Schedule V, for certain words (w.e.f. 10.7.1978).][Joint Commissioner] [ Substituted by Act 21 of 1998, Section 3, for " Deputy Commissioner" (w.e.f. 1.10.1998).][or the Commissioner (Appeals)] [Substituted by Act 29 of 1977, Section 39 and Schedule V, for certain words (w.e.f. 10.7.1978).], will be useful for, or relevant to, any [inquiry or] [ Inserted by Act 22 of 1995, Section 27 (w.e.f. 1.7.1995).] proceeding under this Act:[Provided that the powers referred to in clause (6), may also be exercised by the Director-General, the Chief Commissioner, the Director and the Commissioner:] [ Inserted by Act 4 of 1988, Section 39 (w.e.f. 1.4.1989).][Provided further that the power in respect of an inquiry, in a case where no proceeding is pending, shall not be exercised by any income-tax authority below the rank of Director or Commissioner without the prior approval of the Director or, as the case may be, the Commissioner.] [Inserted by Act 22 of 1995, Section 27 (w.e.f. 1.7.1995).]
