In a historic move, the Government of India has formally notified The Income Tax Act 2025, a landmark legislation that received the assent of the President on August 21, 2025. This new law, which will replace the over six-decade-old Income-tax Act, 1961, is set to come into effect from April 1, 2026. The new Act aims to usher in a simpler, more transparent, and compliance-friendly direct tax regime for the country.
Key Features and Structural Changes
The new Income-Tax Act, 2025, represents a comprehensive overhaul of India’s tax laws, with a strong focus on modernization and ease of use. Key changes include:
- Simplification of Legislation: The new law has significantly reduced the number of sections from 819 to 536 and chapters from 47 to 23. The word count has been slashed, and for the first time, the Act introduces 39 new tables and 40 new formulas to replace dense legal text and enhance clarity for taxpayers.
- Introduction of “Tax Year”: The new Act eliminates the confusing concepts of “previous year” and “assessment year” and introduces a single, unified term: “tax year.” This will align directly with the financial year, making it easier for taxpayers to understand and comply with tax filing requirements.
- Focus on Digital and Faceless Administration: The legislation is designed to support a digital-first approach to tax administration, promoting e-filing and faceless assessments. This is expected to improve efficiency and reduce the scope for human-to-human interaction, thereby minimizing corruption and litigation.
- No Change in Tax Rates: The Act does not introduce any new tax rates. Instead, it focuses on simplifying the language and structure of the law. The new tax slab rates, introduced earlier in the Budget 2025, will continue to apply under the default new tax regime.
- New Tax Regime for NPOs: The new Act introduces a comprehensive framework for the taxation of non-profit organizations (NPOs), replacing the existing provisions applicable to trusts. This move aims to streamline and bring greater clarity to the tax treatment of these entities.
Impact on Taxpayers
While the new Act is a major legislative change, it is important for taxpayers to note that the core principles of the tax system, such as residency rules, heads of income, and assessment procedures, remain largely consistent with the previous law. The primary objective is to make compliance more straightforward and the overall system more transparent.
The new law also incorporates recent amendments from the Finance Bill 2025, including:
- Enhanced Rebate under Section 87A: The rebate for taxpayers filing under the new tax regime has been increased, making income up to a certain limit tax-free.
- Updated Tax Return (ITR-U): The deadline for filing an updated tax return has been extended, giving taxpayers a longer window to correct any errors or report previously undisclosed income.
- Changes to TDS/TCS Provisions: The new Act streamlines the provisions for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) and removes some outdated sections to reduce compliance burden.
The official notification of The Income Tax Act 2025 marks a new chapter in India’s fiscal policy. As the law takes effect from April 1, 2026, it is expected to create a more efficient and taxpayer-friendly environment, contributing to better tax compliance and a stronger economy.
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