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Tax Reforms
The government has notified the Finance Act 2026, paving way for effecting changes in tax provisions. This Act gives effect to financial proposals of the central government for 2026-27, a gazette notification dated March 30 issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice said. "The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on March 30, 2026 and is hereby published for general information," it said. Last week, Parliament approved the Finance Bill 2026 with the Rajya Sabha returning it to the Lok Sabha with a voice vote, completing the budgetary exercise for the next fiscal year starting April 1. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on March 25, along with 32 amendments. The Rajya Sabha returned the bill after a brief discussion, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied to queries raised by members. The Union Budget 2026-27 envisages a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore, an increase of 7.7 per cent over the current fiscal year ending March 31. The total
The Income Tax department has notified all income tax return forms for the assessment year (AY) 2026-27. While ITR forms 1-4, filed by small and medium taxpayers, were notified on March 30, ITR forms 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, as well as ITR-U (for filing updated returns), were notified on Tuesday. With the ITR (income tax return) notification, individuals, businesses and other entities can start filing I-T returns for the income earned in the financial year 2025-26. The last date for filing ITR for individuals and those who do not have to get their accounts audited is July 31. ITR Form 1 (Sahaj) and ITR Form 4 (Sugam) are simpler forms that cater to a large number of small and medium taxpayers. Sahaj can be filed by a resident individual having annual income up to Rs 50 lakh and who receives income from salary, one house property, other sources (interest) and agricultural income up to Rs 5,000 a year. Sugam can be filed by individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and firms (other tha
India overhauled its tax regime in 2025 with sharp cuts in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and a higher income tax exemption limit, with the spotlight now turning to customs duty rationalisation and procedural simplification in the coming Budget. Next year will see the new simplified Income Tax Act, 2025, to come into effect from April 1, replacing the over six-decade-old current Income Tax Act, 1961. Also, two new laws -- one to levy additional excise duty on cigarettes and another to levy cess on pan masala over and above GST rates -- will be implemented on a date decided by the government. The tax reforms rolled out by the government in 2025 were aimed at stimulating demand amid a challenging global economic environment. With tariff uncertainties casting a shadow over economic decision-making, India's tax reform measures focused on boosting domestic demand to drive consumption and support growth. A key highlight was the reduction of GST rates on about 375 goods and services .
Dr Reddy's Laboratories on Tuesday expressed hope that the new GST structure will take care of existing challenges and aid in ushering a rationalised, industry-friendly tax framework for the pharmaceutical industry. For an extended period, the pharmaceutical sector has faced structural challenges, including higher GST rates and an inverted duty structure, which have impacted the cost efficiency of domestic manufacturing and the affordability of medicines, Dr Reddy's Laboratories Chairman Satish Reddy said in a statement. "We are optimistic that the forthcoming reforms will address these critical concerns and introduce a rationalised, industry-friendly tax framework," he noted. Such measures will significantly improve the affordability and accessibility of essential medicines for every citizen, while also enhancing the global competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Indian pharmaceutical industry, Reddy said. The industry remains fully committed to working in close partnership
Lack of infrastructure status, rationalisation of tax rates, easier visa processes and more incentives by state governments to promote investments are some of the key issues that need to be addressed for India's hospitality sector to realise its full potential, Hotel Association of India President K B Kachru said ahead of the Budget. In an interview to PTI, Kachru, emphasised upon the need for India to be marketed in a better fashion, and noted that countries like Japan, South Korea and Thailand have been able to grow their GDP by giving importance to the tourism sector. He emphasised upon the need for India to identify and promote MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destinations with high potential, and work towards building the required infrastructure to draw tourists globally. "We need investment. Investment can't be done by the government alone. Private sector has to come in and invest. What would motivate them to invest in the country is they must have a .