(1) If, at any stage of the proceedings before him, the Prescribed Authority, having regard to the nature and complexity of the accounts of the dealer and the interest of the revenue, is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do, he may, with the previous approval of the Commissioner, direct the dealer to get the accounts audited by an accountant, as defined in the Explanation below sub-section (3) of section 62 and nominated by the Commissioner in this behalf and to furnish a report of such audit in the prescribed form duly signed and verified by such accountant and setting forth such particulars as may be prescribed and such other particulars as the Prescribed Authority may require.

(2) The provision of sub-section (1) shall have effect notwithstanding that the accounts of the dealer have been audited under any other law for the time being in force or other-wise.

(3) Every report under sub-section (1) shall be furnished by the dealer to the Prescribed Authority within such period as may be specified by the Prescribed Authority:

Provided that the Prescribed Authority may, on an application made in this behalf by the dealer and for any good and sufficient reason, extend the said period by such further period or periods as he thinks fit; so, however, that the aggregate of the period originally fixed and the period or periods so extended shall not, in any case, exceed one hundred and eighty days from the date on which the direction under sub-section (1) is received by the, dealer.

(4) The expenses of, and incidental to, any audit under sub-section (1) induding the remuneration of the accountant shall be determined by the Commissioner and paid by the dealer and in default of such payment shall be recoverable from the assessee in the manner provided in section 43 of this Act for recovery of arrears of tax.

(5) The dealer shall be given an opportunity of being heard in respect of any material gathered on the basis of any audit under sub-section (1) and proposed to be utilized for the purpose of assessment.