22. Assessment on failure to deposit tax

(1) Where a dealer has failed to deposit tax in accordance with the provisions of section 20 within the notified period, the assessing authority or the officer authorised by the Commissioner shall, without prejudice to the penal provisions in this Act, after making such enquiry as it may consider necessary and after giving the dealer a reasonable opportunity of being heard, assess tax for that period to the best of his judgment.

(2) The tax assessed under sub–section (1), after adjustment of input tax credit and the amount deposited in advance in this behalf, if any, shall be payable by the dealer within thirty days from the date of service of notice of demand. However, the assessing authority or the officer authorised by the Commissioner, after recording reasons in writing, may reduce such period.

(3) The tax deposited under sub–section (2) shall be adjusted in the assessment for the relevant period.