Sections 512 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Sections 512 to 514 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 deal with three separate matters. Section 512 allows the Central Government to publish the names of assessees and particulars of proceedings or prosecutions in the public interest. Sections 513 and 514 let an assessee attend valuation matters through a registered valuer and set up the register of valuers.
This explanation is as per the Income-tax Act, 2025 (30 of 2025) as amended by the Finance Act, 2026. Under section 1(3) the Act came into force on the 1st April, 2026, save as otherwise provided. Later amendments, rules and notifications should be checked.
The Central Government may publish names and particulars of proceedings or prosecutions if it thinks it necessary or expedient in the public interest, but not for a penalty until the appeal period has expired with no appeal, or the appeal is disposed of. An assessee may attend valuation matters through a registered valuer, except where personal attendance on oath is required. Valuers register with a Principal Chief Commissioner, Chief Commissioner, Principal Director General or Director General after giving a four-point declaration. For queries on valuation and representation, see our legal consultation support.
Section 512: publication of information respecting assessees
Sub-section (1): the power
If the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the public interest to publish the names of any assessees and any other particulars relating to proceedings or prosecutions under the Act in respect of those assessees, it may publish them in such manner as it thinks fit.
Sub-section (2): the safeguard for penalties
No publication shall be made for any penalty imposed under the Act until the time for filing an appeal under section 356 or 357 has expired and no appeal has been filed, or, if an appeal has been filed, it has been disposed of. The sub-section speaks only of penalty; for other proceedings or prosecutions it sets no such waiting period.
Sub-section (3): partners, directors and others
The names of the partners of a firm, directors, managing agents, secretaries and treasurers, or managers of a company, or members of an association, as the case may be, may also be published under sub-section (1) if, in the opinion of the Central Government, the circumstances of the case justify it.
Section 513: appearance by a registered valuer
- Sub-section (1). An assessee entitled or required to attend before any income-tax authority or the Appellate Tribunal in matters relating to the valuation of any asset may attend through a registered valuer.
- Sub-section (2). This does not apply where the assessee is required to attend personally for examination on oath or affirmation under section 246. Section 246 is explained in our note on summons powers.
- Sub-section (3). "Registered valuer" means a person registered as a valuer under section 514.
Section 514: registration of valuers
Sub-section (1): the register
The Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner, or the Principal Director General or Director General, shall maintain a register of valuers in which the names and addresses of persons registered under sub-section (2) are entered.
Sub-section (2): application and declaration
Any person possessing such qualification for valuing such class of assets as may be prescribed may apply to those authorities for registration as a valuer, in such form, verified in such manner and accompanied by such fee, as may be prescribed. The application is accompanied by a declaration that the applicant will:
- (a) conduct an impartial and true valuation of any asset required to be valued;
- (b) furnish a valuation report in the prescribed form;
- (c) charge fees not exceeding the prescribed rate or rates; and
- (d) refrain from undertaking the valuation of any asset in which he has a direct or indirect interest.
The qualification, form, verification, fee and rate of fees are left to the Income-tax Rules, 2026 and are not in the text consulted.
Sub-section (3): valuation report
The valuation report prepared by a registered valuer for any asset shall be in such form and verified in such manner as may be prescribed.
| Section | Provision | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 512(1) | Publication of names and particulars | Central Government's opinion on public interest |
| 512(2) | Penalty cases | Wait until appeal time under section 356 or 357 expires with no appeal, or the appeal is disposed of |
| 512(3) | Partners, directors, managers, members | May also be named if circumstances justify |
| 513(1), (2) | Attendance through registered valuer | Not where personal examination on oath is required under section 246 |
| 514(1) | Register of valuers | Kept by the Principal Chief Commissioner, Chief Commissioner, Principal Director General or Director General |
| 514(2) | Application | Prescribed qualification, form, verification and fee, plus a four-point declaration |
| 514(3) | Valuation report | Prescribed form and verification |
A worked example (names assumed)
Mr. Arjun owns a commercial building whose value is being examined in a proceeding before an income-tax authority. (All names and facts are assumed.)
- Under section 513(1) he may attend through a registered valuer, Ms. Leela, who is entered in the register kept under section 514(1).
- When she applied she gave the declaration in section 514(2): impartial and true valuation, report in the prescribed form, fees not above the prescribed rate, and no valuation of any asset in which she has an interest. She therefore cannot value the building if she has a direct or indirect interest in it.
- If the authority requires Mr. Arjun to attend personally for examination on oath under section 246, section 513(2) means he cannot send the valuer in his place for that examination.
- Separately, if a penalty is imposed on Mr. Arjun in another matter, the Central Government may not publish his name for that penalty until the appeal time under section 356 or 357 has run out with no appeal, or the appeal has been disposed of.
Need help with valuation or representation?
If a valuation question has come up in your assessment or an appeal, or you are unsure who may appear for you, our legal consultation team can go through the position with you, using the sections above as the starting point.
Key takeaways
- The Central Government may publish names and particulars of proceedings or prosecutions in the public interest (section 512(1)).
- For penalties, publication waits until the appeal period under section 356 or 357 ends with no appeal, or any appeal is disposed of (section 512(2)).
- Partners, directors, managers and members may also be named in suitable cases (section 512(3)).
- An assessee may attend valuation matters through a registered valuer, except for examination on oath under section 246 (section 513).
- Valuers register under section 514 with a prescribed application and a four-point declaration; report form and fees are prescribed.
Read next
- Section 511: report in respect of an international group
- Section 515: appearance by authorised representative
- Section 246: summons powers
- Chapter XXIII guide: miscellaneous provisions
Disclaimer: Based on the Income-tax Act, 2025 (30 of 2025) as amended by the Finance Act, 2026, as consulted on 2 October 2026. It explains the words of the Act only; the Income-tax Rules, 2026, notifications, circulars, later amendments and the way the tax authorities and courts apply these provisions should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.