As the new Income Tax (I-T) Act, 2025 moves towards implementation from April 1, 2026, the finance ministry is reviewing and simplifying the compliance forms used by charitable institutions. Debjyoti Das, principal chief commissioner of income tax (exemption), said the new Act has already reorganised exemption provisions into a clearer and more coherent structure, and the accompanying procedures and forms are now being examined.
This Budget positions India's taxation ideology as not merely a revenue source but as a strategic catalyst for growth, inclusion and long-term confidence.
Ask rediffGURU and tax expert Mihir Tanna your income tax-related questions.
The Enforcement Directorate has issued a fresh summons to Veena T, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, for questioning on June 17 in a money laundering case involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL). The probe focuses on alleged payments of Rs 2.78 crore from CMRL to Veena's IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, without services rendered, and loans from an associated company.
rediffGURU T S Khurana answers readers' personal income tax queries
Veena T, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in Kochi for questioning regarding a money laundering case involving her defunct IT firm, Exalogic Solutions Private Ltd, and mining company CMRL. The probe focuses on alleged payments made without services and loans extended despite repayment failures, leading to accusations of generating "proceeds of crime."
Indian companies are increasingly turning to share buybacks as a preferred payout strategy, driven by recent tax framework changes that make them more tax-efficient for non-promoter shareholders and a fall in stock prices.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and others on a plea challenging the validity of a provision of the Income Tax Act that allows political parties to receive "anonymous" cash donations below Rs 2,000.
rediffGURU Vipul Bhavsar answers readers' personal income tax queries.
'We want to clear these pending refunds so that no issues arise once the new I-T Act takes effect.'
'If a charitable or religious trust sells a capital asset -- such as land, buildings, shares -- and makes a capital gain, it can avoid paying tax on that gain if it reinvests the proceeds in another capital asset for its charitable purposes.'
CPI(M) workers clashed with security personnel outside former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's residence in Kerala during Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches related to the alleged CMRL monthly payment case involving his daughter.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the residences of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family members as part of a money laundering probe linked to the CMRL case involving his daughter, Veena Vijayan.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the residences of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family members as part of its money laundering probe linked to the CMRL case involving his daughter.
rediffGURU T S Khurana answers readers' personal income tax queries.
The income tax department has notified all seven income tax return forms for assessment year 2025-26. While ITR forms 1 and 4, which are filed by small and medium taxpayers, were notified on April 29; ITR-7, filed by trusts and charitable institutions, was notified on May 11.
ICICI Bank is seeking recoveries of at least 100 crore from fintech firms, alleging merchant misclassification of their business, a practice that has eroded the bank's interchange income. The dispute, lodged with global card network Visa, highlights growing discomfort among banks and intensified scrutiny from the Reserve Bank of India.
rediffGURU Vipul Bhavsar answers readers' personal income tax queries.
The government will introduce a new Income Tax bill next week to take forward the "trust first, scrutinise later" concept, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. In another major reform move, the minister announced that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector will be increased to 100 per cent from 74 per cent.
The Delhi High Court has upheld a trial court's order declaring UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari a 'fugitive economic offender' in a money laundering case, allowing the Enforcement Directorate to proceed with confiscating his assets.
'...so cases that arose under the existing Act will be adjudicated under the old provisions.' 'Care has been taken to ensure that the new I-T Act does not give rise to interpretational issues.'
Budget 2026 sticks to fiscal discipline, shuns populist measures despite five key state elections coming up, but ends up rattling stock markets with a higher transaction tax on derivatives trading.
Net direct tax collection grew 13.13 per cent to over Rs 21.26 lakh crore so far this fiscal aided by by higher advance tax mop up, government data showed on Monday. During the year, the government collected Rs 10.44 lakh crore from four instalments of advance tax as against Rs 9.11 lakh crore in the previous fiscal, registering a growth of 14.62 per cent.
Ask rediffGURU and tax expert Mihir Tanna your income tax-related questions.
Passenger vehicle sales in India reached a record high of 4.7 million units in FY26, boosted by strong performances from major automakers and the implementation of GST 2.0.
'The new Bill introduces no policy or rate changes, leaving financial planning strategies largely unaffected.'
'The considerations for choosing between the old and new tax regimes remain essentially unchanged.'
Under the TMC, Bengal has seen expansion of welfare, but not big-ticket private investment.
'There is no retrospective changing of the law, only its simplification.'
Reliance Industries Ltd reported a 12.5 per cent fall in its March quarter net profit, primarily impacted by the global energy crisis affecting its oil and chemicals business, while its consumer-facing Jio Platforms unit saw a 13 per cent increase in profit after tax.
Filing a belated return is far better than not filing at all.
India is growing fast, but to keep growing strong, the government must make more things at home, create jobs, and spend money wisely, suggests Rajiv Memani, regional managing partner, Africa-India Region, EY.
Until now, salaried individuals having income under the head LTCG were required to file Form ITR-2.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said she is likely to introduce the new income tax bill, which will replace the six-decade-old I-T Act, in the Lok Sabha in the coming week.
The country's primary capital markets delivered a robust performance in FY26, emerging as a global leader in initial public offerings (IPOs) despite an uncertain environment, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.
NPS Vatsalya offers a disciplined investment avenue that parents can use to create intergenerational wealth by contributing even small sums.
Kerala's voters are sophisticated, educated, and unforgiving. They have once again made it clear that no government is entitled to remain in power. The Congress would do well to remember this, points out Ramesh Menon.
As per the Budget memorandum, the government has proposed amendment to Sub-Section 2 of Section 23 of Income Tax Act, which relates to determination of annual value of house properties.
Chaitanya Baghel, son of Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, was released from jail after being granted bail in cases related to the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh. The release was met with celebration by Congress supporters.
The tax department conducts about 100-150 "full blown" searches and surveys in a financial year, and this enforcement action is not aimed towards the common taxpaying individual or entity.
A nationwide strike called by central trade unions saw a mixed response across India, impacting various sectors and states differently, with some areas experiencing disruptions while others remained largely unaffected.
