Stock traders' alert: When income tax audit becomes mandatory for AY 2026-27

Stock market traders, especially those involved in intraday and F&O trading without a registered business, need to understand tax audit rules. Income from these activities is typically classified as speculative business income. Turnover calculation, based on the aggregate of positive and negative differences, determines audit applicability, generally requiring an audit if it exceeds Rs 10 crore for banking channel transactions.

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ITR filing season AY 2026-27: Received Section 143(2) notice for AY 2025-26? What it means and how to respond

As Section 143(2) scrutiny notices for AY 2025-26 reach taxpayers during the ITR filing season for AY 2026-27, this article explains why taxpayers receive scrutiny notices, how they should respond, the consequences of non-compliance and under-reporting of income, the relief available under Section 270AA, and the key compliance lessons for filing current-year returns.

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Working abroad? You may pay zero tax on selling Indian shares if you meet this condition

Indians working abroad can now potentially avoid paying tax on selling Indian shares. The key is to have purchased these shares using convertible foreign exchange. This provision, under Section 215 of the Income Tax Act, 2025, allows for tax exemption if the sale proceeds are reinvested in specified Indian assets within six months. However, a three-year lock-in period applies to the reinvested assets.

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Income tax deadlines in July 2026: From July 31 ITR filing to TDS due dates; key forms you can't afford to miss

July 2026 presents crucial income tax deadlines for Indian taxpayers. The most significant deadline is July 31, marking the final day for salaried individuals and pensioners to file their Income Tax Returns (ITR-1 and ITR-2).

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ITR filing guide: Know when tax return filing is mandatory, who needs to file and who is exempt

Individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) are required to file income tax returns (ITR) if their total taxable income before the applicable exemptions and deductions exceeds the basic exemption limit. Even if you’re exempt, file a return if you have a refund due, or you need to apply for a loan, passport or visa.

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Didn’t report FD interest in your ITR? Here’s how you can still correct the mistake

Missed reporting your Fixed Deposit interest in your Income Tax Return? Don't worry, you can still fix it. The Income Tax Department receives FD interest details, so omissions can be flagged. Filing an Updated Return (ITR-U) within four years allows you to declare missed income and rectify errors, though additional tax and penalties may apply. This voluntary step helps avoid future disputes and keeps your tax records accurate.

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Husband has to pay income tax on wife’s earnings from FD, gold, shares under clubbing of income in these cases

ITR filing: Transferring investments to your spouse to save taxes is a common misconception. The Income Tax Department scrutinises fund sources and can club income back to the original provider. This applies to FDs, shares, and gold, where income or capital gains from gifted assets are often taxed in the transferor's hands. Proper documentation and reporting are crucial to avoid penalties and tax demands.

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GSTAT extended relaxed scrutiny guidelines for filing appeals till December 31, 2026; Know how this helps taxpayers

The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) has extended its relaxed scrutiny guidelines for filing appeals until December 31, 2026. This move aims to prevent procedural technicalities from hindering substantive justice, allowing the registry to focus on significant defects rather than minor form-related issues. Taxpayers benefit from this taxpayer-friendly measure, ensuring smoother navigation of the digital appellate system while still needing to adhere to appeal filing deadlines.

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Taking a second loan for home loan repayment? Claim tax deduction on both under old tax regime for Tax Year 2026-2027

Homeowners can now potentially claim tax deductions on interest paid for both their original home loan and a subsequent loan taken to repay it, under the old tax regime. This benefit, supported by a 1969 CBDT circular and expected to continue under the Income-tax Act, 2025, allows for dual deductions up to Rs 2 lakh for self-occupied properties.

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Senior citizen mistakenly paid tax on tax-free VRS compensation; wins complete relief from ITAT Chennai on this ground

A senior citizen wrongly paid tax on Rs 24 lakh retrenchment compensation received under a BSNL Voluntary Retirement Scheme. Despite a significant delay, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in Chennai granted him full tax exemption, recognizing the compensation as tax-free under Section 10(10B). This ruling offers relief and highlights the possibility of rectifying tax errors.

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Rs 15 lakh, Rs 20 lakh or Rs 25 lakh CTC? Check your exact TDS under new vs old tax regime for FY 2026-27

Understanding Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on your salary is crucial. Employers calculate your annual tax liability based on declared income and deductions, then divide it to deduct tax monthly. This ensures smooth tax collection throughout the year. The article details TDS calculations for CTCs of Rs 15, 20, and 25 lakh under both old and new tax regimes, offering insights for salaried individuals.

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Income tax dept identifies up to 20,000 cases of individuals who used the ‘swapped provisions’ trick to reduce net tax liability; Know what to do now to fix this

The Income Tax Department has flagged 15,000-20,000 cases of individuals using a 'swapped provisions' trick to unfairly reduce their tax liability. This involves manipulating claims like House Rent Allowance (HRA) for undue benefits. Taxpayers who engaged in this practice are advised to voluntarily pay the correct tax and interest, or seek condonation from the department to avoid penalties and potential legal action.

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Will the ITR filing deadline for AY 2026-27 be extended? Here's what taxpayers need to know

Taxpayers can breathe easy as the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for AY 2026-27 is unlikely to be extended. Unlike last year's technical glitches and delayed form releases, this year's process has been smooth, with utilities available on time. Experts advise against banking on an extension and urge prompt filing within the stipulated dates. Various deadlines exist for different taxpayer categories.

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No Form 16? Here's how salaried taxpayers can file ITR using AIS and Form 26AS for FY 2025-26

Salaried individuals awaiting Form 16 for ITR filing can still proceed without it. Employers must issue this TDS certificate by June 15th. If delayed, taxpayers can use salary slips, bank statements, and crucial documents like AIS and Form 26AS to verify income and tax details. These online statements, accessible via the Income Tax portal, are vital for accurate filing and ensuring TDS credit.

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On ESOP value over US$ 60,000 US estate tax up to 40% can be levied after death of even a non-US resident; Here’s how to manage its impact on legal heirs

Indian professionals holding US ESOPs and RSUs face a significant risk of up to 40% US estate tax on assets exceeding $60,000 after their death. This applies even if they are non-residents. Experts suggest strategies like routing shares through GIFT City, investing in UCITS ETFs, or lifetime gifting to mitigate this substantial tax burden for legal heirs.

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Filing ITR? Don’t ignore the ‘nature of employment’ field; it can affect NPS & retirement tax benefits

The "Nature of Employment" field in the ITR is more than a routine disclosure. An incorrect selection can affect certain tax benefits, including exemptions on gratuity, commuted pension and leave encashment, as well as deductions for employer contributions to NPS, potentially leading to incorrect tax computation and compliance issues.

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Rs 17.25 lakh income of an employee was added as taxable salary despite working in UK; ITAT Delhi gives him relief under India-UK DTAA

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Delhi has ruled that even if a non-resident salaried individual has received any ‘per-diem’ payments from his Indian employer due to his overseas work, then this payment is not taxable under Article 16 of India-UK Double Tax Avoidance Treaty (DTAA).

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Husband trades through wife’s demat account, incurs Rs 1.95 crore loss; tax dept sends notice over clubbing of income, ITAT Lucknow grants him relief

A husband's attempt to offset substantial stock market losses against his income was initially rejected by tax authorities. Despite trading using his wife's demat account and gifting her Rs 1.15 crore, the tax department argued the Rs 1.95 crore loss, including Rs 80 lakh from her own funds, was hers alone.

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ITR filing for FY 2025-26: Key changes in due dates, ITR forms, and F&O disclosure rules taxpayers must know

The deadline for filing income tax returns for FY2025-26 has arrived, with new rules and forms in effect. Notably, ITR 3 and ITR 4 filings now have a staggered deadline of August 31st, offering some relief. Significant changes include updated disclosure requirements for Futures & Options trading and revised capital gains tax reporting, signaling a move towards more data-driven scrutiny by the tax department.

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Tenant wins tax relief on Rs 38.62 lakh sale of landlord’s property, received for surrendering tenancy rights; know why ITAT Mumbai ruled in his favour

A Mumbai tenant received tax relief after selling a property he obtained for surrendering his tenancy rights. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ruled that the fair market value of the surrendered tenancy rights should be considered the cost of acquisition, not nil. This decision significantly reduced the tenant's capital gains tax liability on the Rs 38.62 lakh sale, recognizing the economic value of his original rights.

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Has Form 168 replaced Form 26AS for FY 25-26? Here's what taxpayers need to know for ITR filing

Form 168: The Income Tax Department has unveiled Form 168, a comprehensive upgrade to the Annual Information Statement, effectively superseding the traditional Form 26AS. This new form consolidates all tax-related and financial transaction data linked to your PAN, offering a holistic view of your tax compliance. It's automatically generated, so taxpayers don't need to file it.

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NRE vs NRO income tax rules: How these NRIs, OCIs can save up to Rs 20,500 on $10,000 FD investment

NRIs can significantly reduce tax on NRE deposits in India, as this income is tax-exempt. While NRO account interest is taxable in India, NRIs can leverage Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) to potentially lower their tax burden or claim credits in their country of residence, avoiding double taxation.

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Retired employee claims tax exemption on Rs 19 lakh leave encashment; I-T dept issues notice and caps it at Rs 3 lakh; ITAT Chennai grants him full relief

When Mr Balasubramanian Venkatachalaperumal from Jagadamal Street retired from ONGC in FY 2019-20, he got Rs 19.05 lakh as leave encashment and thus he filed his income tax return (ITR) on October 29, 2021. In his ITR he declared a total income of Rs 31.62 lakh after claiming tax exemption for the entire amount of leave encashment under Section 10(10AA)(ii).

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Tax-free income in India: 8 types of income you don’t need to pay any tax on

Tax-free income: Unlock tax savings with these eight income sources exempt from income tax in India. From agricultural earnings and provident fund withdrawals to gifts from relatives and insurance payouts, understand how to keep more of your money.

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TDS Challan correction for Income Tax Act, 2025 needs to be done using the old TRACES portal; Here’s how to do it

Taxpayers must correct TDS challans for Tax Year 2026-27 on the old TRACES portal. This is crucial if the challan was mistakenly filed under FY 2025-26. Failure to correct will prevent TDS credit for Tax Year 2026-27, increasing tax liability. The new TRACES portal does not yet support this correction. Timely correction ensures proper tax credit and avoids disputes.

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Income Tax department labels her stock market trader, denies investor status; she fights and wins Rs 54 crore capital loss claim at ITAT

Dolly Khanna successfully challenged the tax department's classification of her Rs 54 crore short-term capital loss as a business loss. The ITAT Chennai ruled she is an investor, not a trader, allowing the loss to be treated as a capital loss. This decision was supported by a 2016 CBDT circular and her consistent investment history.

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ITR filing due dates for AY 2026-27: July 31 is not the deadline for every taxpayer; check 5 other tax filing due dates

The Income Tax Department has set July 31, 2026, as the deadline for most individual taxpayers, including the salaried class, to file their Income Tax Returns (ITR) for AY 2026-27. However, different due dates apply based on income sources and audit requirements, with some non-audit businesses and professionals now having until August 31, 2026.

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New tax regime: 7 ways for salaried employees to reduce their tax liability while filing ITR for FY 2025-26

Salaried individuals can still reduce their tax liability under the new tax regime for FY 2025-26. Key deductions include employer contributions to NPS and EPF, a standard deduction of Rs 75,000, and interest on home loans for let-out properties. Exempt perquisites and certain official allowances also offer tax benefits.

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Do you need to file ITR if you only incurred losses from equities or mutual funds? Check the details

Even if you only incurred losses from equity or mutual funds and your total income is below the basic exemption limit, filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) is generally not mandatory unless you wish to carry forward these losses. However, long-term capital gains from listed equities, even if below Rs 1.

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Income tax alert: These taxpayers could receive scrutiny notices by June 30, 2026 under Section 143(2)

Income tax scrutiny notices under Section 143(2) for FY 2025-26 could be issued by June 30, 2026. New CBDT guidelines set internal deadlines for tax officers to select cases for scrutiny. Taxpayers with errors can file updated returns. If a notice is received, review it carefully and provide supporting documents promptly.

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Online gaming money tax dispute: GST to be charged on full value of the deposit, rules Supreme Court, know how it impacts the players

The Supreme Court has settled India's online gaming tax dispute. GST will now be charged on the full value of player deposits, not just the operator's commission. This ruling impacts online rummy, fantasy sports, and casinos. The court confirmed the tax is on the entire stake, regardless of skill. This decision brings clarity to the industry after years of litigation.

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Can you sell household items worth more than Rs 2 lakh in cash?Check the tax rules

A woman successfully challenged the Income Tax Department's addition of Rs 10.80 lakh as unexplained cash. The ITAT Chennai ruled in her favor, accepting her explanation for cash deposits from a property sale and sale of household items. The tribunal noted individual transactions for household items were below the Rs 2 lakh threshold.

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ITR filing 2026: 9 key checks every taxpayer must make for AY 2026–27

India's income tax administration has become increasingly data-driven, with information from TDS/TCS reporting, SFT filings and other sources being integrated into the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and used to cross-check taxpayer disclosures. In this environment, filing an accurate and complete ITR is essential to avoid refund delays, tax demands, penalties, compliance alerts and notices.

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Paying rent above Rs 50,000? Failure to deduct TDS can make you an assessee in default; know what to do

Tenants paying over Rs 50,000 monthly rent must deduct TDS. This applies to individuals and HUFs not requiring tax audits. The TDS rate is 2% on gross rent. Tax is deducted in the last month of tenancy or financial year. Tenants deposit TDS via Form 26QC and issue Form 16C to landlords. Failure to comply incurs interest and penalties.

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Income Tax Department issues ITR scrutiny guidelines: These ITR filers may face compulsory scrutiny in FY 26-27

The CBDT has released new guidelines for compulsory income tax return scrutiny in FY 2026-27, impacting returns filed in FY 2025-26. Specific risk parameters will mandate detailed examination by the I-T Department. A June 30, 2026 deadline is set for issuing scrutiny notices under Section 143(2).

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Man sold unlisted shares, bought Rs 5.65 cr house, faced income tax scrutiny; he fought back and won in ITAT Delhi despite low income declaration

A Delhi man sold unlisted shares for Rs 7.88 crore and bought a house for Rs 5.65 crore. He declared low income but claimed capital gains tax exemption. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Delhi ruled in his favour. The tribunal clarified rules on using sale proceeds and owning residential property. This judgement offers relief to taxpayers.

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Hong Kong-based son gets tax notice after father buys insurance policy in his name with cash; he fights back and wins case in ITAT Mumbai

An NRI in Hong Kong faced an income tax dispute after withdrawing cash from his NRE account to give to his father. The father used this money to buy an insurance policy in his son's name, leading to an 'unexplained cash credit' notice. ITAT Mumbai ultimately ruled in favor of the NRI, finding his explanation of the funds' origin satisfactory.

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Waiting for Form 16? Here’s when employers may issue it for AY 2026-27 ITR filing

Salaried employees await Form 16 for Assessment Year 2026-2027. Employers must issue this crucial tax document by June 15, 2026. This form simplifies Income Tax Return filing. Those without Form 16 can still file using salary slips, Form 26AS, and bank statements. The deadline for filing ITR for this period is July 31, 2026.

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Why should these taxpayers avoid filing ITR before June 15th for AY 2026-2027

Taxpayers are advised to delay filing their Income Tax Returns for AY 2026-2027 until after June 15th. This allows for the accurate updation of the Annual Information Statement with data from companies and banks. Salaried individuals should also wait for their Form 16. Filing without complete information can lead to discrepancies and potential tax notices.

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Maximum 39% marginal rate of income tax applicable for these individuals in Tax Year 2026-2027

Individuals and certain entities will face a maximum 39% income tax rate under the new tax regime for Tax Year 2026-2027. This Maximum Marginal Rate applies to specific income categories to prevent tax avoidance. The new regime streamlines surcharges, capping them at 25%. However, exceptions exist, potentially leading to higher rates in specific AOP or BOI scenarios.

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ITR filing 2026: 5 benefits of filing income tax return besides paying taxes

Filing your Income Tax Return is more than just a tax duty. It acts as a vital financial record. It helps in getting loans approved. You can claim tax refunds if you paid extra. Your ITR proves your income, especially for freelancers. It allows carrying forward losses to reduce future taxes. Many countries require it for visa applications.

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Worked in the US, UK or Canada? Form 40 can help Indians defer income tax liability on foreign pension accounts

Indian residents with foreign pension accounts like 401(k) from working in the US, UK, or Canada can now defer India tax liability. By filing Form 40 electronically before the income tax return deadline, taxation shifts from accrual to withdrawal basis. This option, once exercised, is generally irrevocable but becomes void if the individual becomes a Non-Resident.

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