Section 27. Failure to furnish returns of chargeable receipts.

If a person wilfully fails to furnish in due time the return of chargeable receipts which he is required to furnish under sub-section (1) of section 8 or by notice given under sub-section (2) of section 8 or section 13, he shall be punishable,-- (i) in a case where the amount of tax, which would have been evaded if the failure had not been discovered, exceeds one hundred thousand rupees, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to seven years and with fine; (ii) in any other case, with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to three years and with fine: Provided that a person shall not be proceeded against under this section for failure to furnish in due time the return of chargeable receipts under sub-section (1) of section 8, if-- (a) the return is furnished by him before the expiry of the assessment year; or (b) the tax payable by him on the chargeable receipts determined on assessment as reduced by the tax paid in advance under section 14, if any, does not exceed three thousand rupees.