As we move into October 2025, the compliance season is in full swing — with multiple due dates for MCA filings, GST returns, TDS statements, and Tax Audits, all overlapping with the Diwali festive season. At the same time, several representations and court orders have led to extensions or expected relaxations for various filings. Let’s go through all updates and due dates one by one

Income Tax, TDS, TCS Changes From 1st April 2025

The Budget 2025 introduced major amendments to the Income Tax Act, 1961, aimed at simplifying India’s tax structure. These changes take effect from 1st April 2025 and will be applicable for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27).

1. Income Tax Slabs for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)

The Budget 2025 introduced revised tax slabs under Section 115BAC (New Tax Regime) to enhance savings and boost spending capacity. These new slab rates apply to income earned in FY 2025-26 onwards.

Note: Old Tax Regime (Optional) slab rates remain unchanged.

2. Increased Rebate Under Section 87A

The rebate under Section 87A has been increased to ₹60,000 from the previous limit of ₹25,000. This means taxpayers with income up to ₹12 lakh will have zero tax liability under the New Tax Regime.

3. Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) Changes

Effective April 2025, the TDS threshold limits for various sections have been increased as follows:

The following changes in TDS Rates will apply from 1st April 2025:

Note: Other TDS provisions remain unchanged.

4. Omission of TCS on Sale:

Existing Provision (Section 206C(1H))

 TCS at 0.1% is collected on the sale of goods (except exports and certain specified goods).
 Applicable if the sale value exceeds ₹50 lakh in a financial year.

Issue with Existing Provision

 TDS under Section 194Q also applies at 0.1% on the same transaction.
 Uncertainty for sellers, as they are often unaware if the buyer has deducted TDS, leading to double compliance(both TDS & TCS).

Key Change:

 TCS on the sale of goods (Section 206C(1H)) is removed from 01.04.2025.
 TDS under Section 194Q will continue.

4. Benefits to Taxpayers

 No double compliance (TCS & TDS confusion removed).
 Reduced compliance burden for sellers.
 Avoids unnecessary liquidity blockage.

5. Effective Date

 From 01.04.2025, sellers are NOT required to collect TCS on the sale of goods.

5. Tax Collected At Source (TCS) Changes

The following TCS changes will be effective from April 2025:

Definition of “Forest Produce” Rationalized

Q1. What are the major provisions of Section 206C(1) (TCS on Sale of Specified Goods)?
 Section 206C(1) mandates TCS collection on the sale of specific goods like alcohol, timber, tendu leaves, and other forest produce.

Q2. What changes were made in Finance Bill 2025?
Three major amendments:

1. “Forest produce” has been formally defined.
2. Scope clarification: Now, only “forest produce under a forest lease” is liable for TCS.
3. TCS Rate Reduction:
   • TCS on timber and other forest produce (excluding tendu leaves) under a forest lease is reduced from 2.5% to 2%.

Q3. How has “forest produce” been defined?
 It follows the meaning provided under State Forest Acts or the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Q4. What are the key changes in TCS applicability on forest produce?
 Earlier: TCS was applicable to all forest produce sales.
 Now: Only forest produce obtained under a forest lease is liable for TCS.

Q5. What is the new TCS rate for forest produce (excluding timber and tendu leaves) under a forest lease?
 The TCS rate is reduced from 2.5% to 2%.

Exemption from Prosecution for Delayed Payment of TCS (Section 276BB)

Q1. What is Section 276BB of the Income-tax Act, 1961?
 Section 276BB provides for prosecution in case of failure to pay the tax collected at source (TCS) to the credit of the Central Government.

Q2. What amendment has been made in Section 276BB in Finance Bill 2025?
 The amendment states that prosecution shall not be instituted if the person has paid TCS to the credit of the Central Government on or before the prescribed time for filing the TCS statement under proviso to Section 206C(3).

Q3. What happens if the person does not pay TCS even after the due date?
 The present provisions of Section 276BB shall continue to apply, meaning prosecution can be initiated.

Q4. How does this amendment benefit taxpayers?
 Taxpayers who miss the TCS payment deadline but pay before filing the TCS statement will now be exempt from prosecution, reducing litigation risks.

6. Removal of Higher TDS/TCS for Non-Filers of Income Tax Return

Q1. What are Sections 206AB and 206CCA of the Act?
 Section 206AB mandates higher TDS rates for non-filers of income tax returns.
 Section 206CCA mandates higher TCS rates for non-filers of income tax returns.

Q2. What changes were made in Finance Bill 2025?
 Both sections are proposed to be omitted from 01.04.2025 onwards.

Q3. How does this benefit taxpayers?
 Deductors and collectors no longer need to verify whether the deductee/collectee has filed an income tax return, reducing compliance burdens.
 However, higher TDS/TCS rates for invalid PAN or no-PAN cases will continue to apply.

Q4. From when will these sections be omitted?
 From 1st April 2025, these provisions will no longer be applicable.

7. Updated Tax Return (ITR-U) Deadline Extended

The deadline for filing an Updated Tax Return (ITR-U) has been extended from 12 months to 48 months (4 years). Additional tax liability depends on when the ITR-U is filed:

8. Benefits for IFSC Units

• Sunset date extended: IFSC units can now commence operations until 31st March 2030 to claim tax benefits.
• Life insurance policies issued by IFSC offices to non-residents are fully exempt under Section 10(10D), with no limit on premium amount.

9. Tax Exemptions for Start-ups

Start-ups incorporated before 1st April 2030 can avail 100% tax exemption on profits for three consecutive years out of ten years under Section 80-IAC, subject to conditions.

10. Tax Deduction for NPS Vatsalya

1. What is NPS Vatsalya?

• A pension scheme launched on 18.09.2024, allowing parents/guardians to maintain an NPS account for minor children.

2. Existing 80CCD Provisions

• Deduction available for contributions to NPS by employees, employers, or any assessee.
• Withdrawals are taxable, subject to certain conditions.

3. Key Amendments in Finance Bill 2025

 Tax Deduction Extended: Parents/guardians can now claim deduction for contributions to NPS Vatsalya (for up to 2 minor children) under the old tax regime.
 Allowed under Section 80CCD(1B) with an overall cap of ₹50,000 (including self & children’s contributions).
 Partial withdrawal (up to 25%) is tax-exempt under Section 10(12BA).
 Final withdrawal is taxable if a deduction was claimed earlier.

4. Effective Date

 Applicable from AY 2026-27 (PY 2025-26).

11. Tax Exemption for Withdrawals from National Savings Scheme (NSS):

1. Previous NSS Provisions

• Section 80CCA allowed deduction for deposits in National Savings Scheme (NSS).
• Withdrawals (with interest) were taxable if a deduction was claimed earlier.
• No deduction was allowed under Section 80CCA since AY 1992-93.
• No tax on withdrawals after the depositor’s demise.

2. Key Change in NSS (DEA Notification – 29.08.2024)

 No interest will be credited to NSS accounts from 01.10.2024.

3. Benefits under Finance Bill 2025

 Tax exemption granted on withdrawals made on or after 29.08.2024.
 Exemption applies only to deposits for which deduction under Section 80CCA was claimed earlier.
 Allows depositors to withdraw funds without tax liability.

4. Effective Date

 Applicable for withdrawals made on or after 29.08.2024.

12. Deduction on Remuneration Paid to Partners

The maximum deduction available for partners’ remuneration will be:

13. Clarity in Taxation of Income on Redemption of Unit Linked Insurance Policy (ULIP)

Q1. What are the provisions relating to amounts received under a life insurance policy?

Ans. Section 10(10D) provides income-tax exemption on the sum received under a life insurance policy, including any bonus, subject to certain conditions.

Q2. What conditions must be fulfilled to claim exemption under Section 10(10D)?

Ans. To claim the exemption, the following conditions must be met:

• The annual premium for any year during the policy term should not exceed 10% of the actual sum assured (for policies issued on or after 01.04.2012).
• For policies issued after 01.02.2021, the total premium must not exceed ₹2,50,000 (for ULIPs) or ₹5,00,000 (for other life insurance policies) to qualify for exemption.

Q3. What happens if the conditions under Section 10(10D) are not fulfilled?

Ans. If the above conditions are not met, then:

• For ULIP policies, the amount received will be taxed as capital gains under Section 45(1B).
• For other life insurance policies, the income will be taxed under “Income from Other Sources”.

Q4. What changes have been introduced through the Finance Bill 2025?

Ans.

• Previously, even if the ULIP premium exceeded 10% of the sum assured, the redemption amount was not explicitly taxed under “Capital Gains.” This led to ambiguity regarding its tax treatment.
• Finance Bill 2025 clarifies that any sum received from a non-exempt ULIP policy will be taxed as capital gains.
• This ensures uniform tax treatment for all ULIP policies, eliminating any confusion.

Thus, if the exemption under Section 10(10D) does not apply, the income received will be taxed as:

• Capital Gains (for ULIP policies)
• Income from Other Sources (for non-ULIP life insurance policies)

14. Changes for Charitable Trusts & Institutions

1. Extended Registration Validity

• Trusts with income below ₹5 crores now get 10-year registration validity instead of 5 years.

2. Flexibility for Incomplete Applications

• Incomplete registration applications will no longer lead to automatic cancellation. Trusts can now rectify mistakes before rejection.

3. Changes in ‘Specified Persons’ Definition

• Higher contribution threshold:
  • A person is considered a “specified person” if they contribute ₹1 lakh in a financial year (earlier ₹50,000) OR ₹10 lakh in total (earlier no such limit).
• ‘Relatives’ and ‘concerns’ of specified persons are excluded from the definition.
• Founders, trustees, and managers remain fully covered under existing restrictions.

15.Obligation to Furnish Information on Crypto Assets

1. Definition of Crypto Asset

• Crypto assets are defined under Section 2(47A) as part of the Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) definition in the Income Tax Act.

2. Key Amendments in Finance Act 2025

 Reporting entities must furnish prescribed information on crypto transactions.
 Information must be reported within the prescribed time and manner to the Income Tax Authority.

3. Reporting Obligations

• Who must report? A prescribed reporting entity under Section 285BAA (to be defined in Income Tax Rules).
• What information? Details of crypto transactions (as specified in Income Tax Rules).
• To whom? The Income Tax Authority (as prescribed).

4. Why is this Reporting Necessary?

 India is among 52 jurisdictions adopting the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF).
 CARF mandates Automatic Exchange of Tax-Relevant Information (AEOI) on crypto assets.
 The G20 Leaders’ New Delhi Declaration called for swift CARF implementation.

5. Implementation Date

 Reporting entities must start providing information from the prescribed date (to be notified in rules).

16. Annual Value of Self-Occupied Property : Deemed Let out property

 The taxation of self-occupied property has been simplified.
 Relaxation in conditions under Section 23(2) for determining annual value as nil.

Previous Conditions

• The annual value of a self-occupied house was considered nil if:
   The owner resided in it.
   The owner could not reside due to business, profession, or employment reasons.

New Relaxations in Finance Act 2025

 Now, the annual value will be nil if the property is self-occupied, regardless of the reason for not residing in it.
 No longer necessary to prove that the owner couldn’t reside due to work-related reasons.

4. How Many Properties Can Be Considered as Nil?

 Up to two self-occupied properties, at the owner’s option, can have nil annual value (if no rent or benefit is derived).

5. Example Scenario

• House 1 (Bangalore) – Mother resides.
• House 2 (Mumbai) – Owner resides.
• House 3 (Delhi) – Vacant.

 The owner can choose two houses to be treated as self-occupied with nil annual value for tax purposes.

6. Effective Date

 Applies from Previous Year 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26 onwards).