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CA Insights

Tax & compliance,
demystified.

Statute-cited guides to Indian income tax, GST, company law, FEMA, and more — every answer cites the section you can verify.

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Statute-cited
AIF & Fund Management Services

9 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 15HB of the SEBI Act, 1992

AIF QAR for September 2026 Quarter: Deadline Is October 15

SEBI-registered Category I, II and III AIFs must file the Quarterly Activity Report for July–September 2026 by October 15, under the two-tier QAR/AAR reporting framework introduced by SEBI's March 2026 circular. Missing it exposes the fund to enforcement action under the SEBI Act and the AIF Regulations.

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22 Sept 2026§ 19D(1)

SEBI Angel Fund Accreditation Deadline Extended to March 2027

SEBI has pushed the accredited-investor transition deadline for legacy angel funds from 8 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, but the ban on fresh contributions from non-accredited investors still kicks in on 8 September 2026. Here is what angel fund managers need to do now.

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22 Sept 2026§ 23

SEBI's Semi-Annual Valuation Mandate for Category II AIFs

SEBI's Master Circular for Alternative Investment Funds, dated June 3, 2026, moves Category II AIFs from annual to semi-annual independent valuation of unlisted portfolio investments. Here is what fund managers, investors, and valuers need to check in their PPMs, valuer appointments, and reporting cycles.

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22 Sept 2026§ 115UB

SEBI's Accredited Investor Overhaul: What It Means for HNIs, NRIs

SEBI's August 2026 consultation paper proposes a new securities market assets route to Accredited Investor status and deemed AI status for NRIs and OCIs, which would lower the minimum ticket size for Category I and II AIFs. Here is what changes, what stays the same until the final circular, and what AIF investors need for their ITR.

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Audit & Assurance

13 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 132(4)

NFRA's New Criminal Powers Under the 2026 Amendment Bill: What CAs Must Know

The Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026 proposes criminal penalties, mandatory auditor registration, and binding directions for NFRA — on top of intensifying inspections under current Section 132(4). Here's what audit partners and audit committees need to track before the provisions become law.

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6 Sept 2026

"A net worth certificate is just a CA signature": what the law actually requires

Most people treat a net worth certificate as a one-page letter that a CA signs for a fee, with the figure being whatever the client declares. That belief costs money. A net worth certificate is an attestation engagement under the ICAI Guidance Note on Reports or Certificates for Special Purposes read with SAE 3000 (Revised), it requires a UDIN, and the certified figure must trace to Schedule III captions and verifiable records. Section 2(57) of the Companies Act 2013 defines net worth and expressly excludes revaluation reserves - a point that trips up companies that revalued property years ago. This article sets out where the definition comes from, what lenders and tender committees actually read the certificate for, how net worth triggers CSR under Section 135, internal audit under Section 138 and the 400 percent ODI cap under FEMA, and gives an eight-step process for producing a certificate that survives scrutiny. It also covers the ITA 2025 corroborating trail - the return of income, Schedule AL, and Form 26AS (now Form 168) - plus the Form 145 and Form 146 overlap for NRI remittances.

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4 Sept 2026

"A forensic audit is just a deeper statutory audit": what Indian law actually says

Most business owners believe a forensic audit is simply a statutory audit done more carefully, over a longer period, by someone more suspicious. That belief is wrong on every count. The trigger is different, the standard of proof is different, the output is different, and the liability the Chartered Accountant carries is different. A statutory auditor forms an opinion on whether financial statements give a true and fair view; a forensic auditor builds a case file intended to survive cross-examination. This piece sets out the four separate legal regimes that actually mandate forensic audits in India — Sections 210, 212, 213 and 143(12) of the Companies Act 2013, the RBI Red Flagged Account framework, SEBI LODR disclosure obligations, and transaction audits under IBC 2016 — and then explains the part practitioners most often get wrong: what makes forensic evidence admissible. Since 1 July 2024 the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 governs electronic records, and Section 63 certification is not optional. Includes a nine-step engagement checklist and the three distinct heads of personal liability a signing CA carries.

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3 Sept 2026

"Only listed companies need a secretarial audit": what Section 204 actually says

Ask most promoters of an unlisted public company whether secretarial audit applies and you will hear a confident no — the reasoning is always that secretarial audit is a SEBI matter for listed companies. That belief has cost boards a flat Rs.2,00,000 penalty under Section 204(4) of the Companies Act 2013, and more often a qualified MR-3 report discovered days before an AGM. Section 204 does not turn on listing status alone. Rule 9 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules 2014 sets four independent triggers, and three of them have nothing to do with the stock exchange — including one that catches private limited companies. This article sets out exactly who is covered, how the paid-up capital, turnover and Rs.100 crore borrowing tests are measured, what a company secretary in practice actually examines in Form MR-3, the appointment and tenure rules that changed for listed entities from FY 2025-26, and the working calendar to follow so the audit is not compressed into six weeks.

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Business & Transaction Advisory

7 articles

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Featured15 Aug 2026§ DPIIT Press Note No. 3 (2026 Series), dated 23 July 2026

FDI in E-Commerce Export: DPIIT Press Note 3 (2026) Allows Inventory Model

India's FDI policy for e-commerce has shifted. DPIIT Press Note 3 (2026), issued July 23, now permits foreign-invested entities to operate inventory-based models — but exclusively for exporting goods manufactured in India. Domestic B2C sales remain prohibited. Understand the scope, conditions, and FEMA compliance obligations.

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15 Aug 2026§ 10(4)

FCNR(B) Deposits: Lock in Elevated Rates Before August 31, 2026

The RBI's USD-INR Forex Swap Facility closes its FCNR(B) channel on August 31, 2026. NRIs who lock in current elevated rates before this deadline will retain them for the full deposit tenure. Understand the deadline, tax treatment, and home-country implications.

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15 Aug 2026§ RBI Trade Receivables Discounting System Directions, 2026, dated 24 June 2026

RBI TReDS Directions 2026: MSME Invoice Discounting Reforms Explained

The RBI's new TReDS Directions 2026, notified June 24, 2026, remove MSME seller due diligence requirements, introduce NCGTC credit guarantees for financiers, and mandate CERSAI registration of invoice assignments. This article explains the five major reforms and their impact on MSME working capital.

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15 Aug 2026§ Ministry of Finance Cabinet Approval, ECLGS 5.0, dated 6 May 2026

ECLGS 5.0: 100% Guaranteed Working Capital for MSMEs Until March 2027

ECLGS 5.0, approved 6 May 2026, offers ₹2.55 lakh crore in 100% government-guaranteed working capital loans to qualifying MSMEs with existing bank or NBFC accounts. Borrowers can access up to 20% of peak Q4 FY26 utilisation (max ₹100 crore) with a 2-year principal moratorium. Applications close 31 March 2027.

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Business Finance & Credit

9 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 15A

TReDS Invoice Discounting 2026: RBI's ₹250 Crore Buyer Mandate

RBI's new TReDS Master Directions, 2026 lower the mandatory buyer registration threshold from ₹500 crore to ₹250 crore turnover and simplify MSME seller onboarding. Here is what changed, who must register, and what it means for your receivables.

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22 Sept 2026§ 45

Unregistered Type I NBFC: PRAVAAH Deadline Is September 30, 2026

RBI's 2026 Scale Based Regulation amendment creates a new 'Unregistered Type I NBFC' category for group holding companies and treasury vehicles that meet NBFC criteria but have no public funds or customer interface. Existing entities in this position must apply for recognition through the PRAVAAH portal by September 30, 2026.

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22 Sept 2026

ECLGS 5.0: 100% Guarantee on MSME Working Capital Credit

ECLGS 5.0 lets eligible MSMEs draw additional working capital credit at nil guarantee fee, with the government bearing 100% of the credit risk. The scheme window closes March 31, 2027 — here's who qualifies and how the process works through your bank.

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22 Sept 2026§ 15A

MSME Development (Amendment) Act 2026: TReDS Mandatory for CPSEs

The MSME Development (Amendment) Act, 2026 got Presidential Assent on 13 August 2026, turning CPSE onboarding to TReDS from an administrative directive into enforceable law under new Section 15A. Here's what every MSME supplier to a CPSE needs to know about payment routing, dispute timelines, and penalties.

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Capital Markets & Investment Banking

15 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 80

Startup India FoF 2.0: AIF Eligibility & Tax Rules for Managers

Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 puts ₹10,000 crore behind SEBI-registered Category I and Category II AIFs, not startups directly. Here is the daughter fund eligibility criteria, DPIIT prerequisites, and the Section 115UB tax framework AIF managers and founders need to check before applying.

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15 Aug 2026§ SEBI Circular SEBI/HO/IMD/DF6/CIR/P/2021/655

SEBI Proposes ₹5 Crore Securities Route for Accredited Investors: What HNIs Need to Know About AIF Access in 2026

SEBI's August 2026 consultation paper proposes adding securities market assets (₹5 crore for individuals) as a standalone Accredited Investor eligibility criterion — a change that could open AIF and SIF access to 4x more HNIs who hold portfolios but do not meet the income or net-worth thresholds.

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15 Aug 2026§ 24

SEBI's MF-PMS Framework: ₹25L Minimum, 2.5% Fee Cap Explained

SEBI's July 2026 consultation paper proposes a new MF-PMS registration category with a ₹25 lakh minimum investment (down from ₹50 lakh), a 2.5% management fee cap, and mandatory separation between MFD and advisory operations. Here's what changes if finalised.

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11 Jul 2026§ SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations

SEBI Clarifies Intraday Borrowing by Mutual Funds: What It Means

SEBI has issued a clarification on the intraday borrowing facility available to mutual funds, addressing the operational framework for managing liquidity mismatches within the trading day. This update matters to fund houses, asset managers, and investors tracking mutual fund risk management.

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Company Law & MCA Compliance

17 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 454

CCFS-2026 Closed: Restoration, Adjudication and Next Steps

CCFS-2026 lapsed on 15 September 2026, ending the 90% fee waiver on overdue ROC filings. Here is what Active companies, struck-off companies, and disqualified directors need to do now under Sections 248, 252, 454 and 164(2)(a) of the Companies Act 2013.

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22 Sept 2026§ 129

MCA's Ind AS Amendment Rules 2026: ESG Loans, SPPI Test and Hedge Accounting Explained

MCA has notified the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Amendment Rules, 2026, amending five Ind AS standards for periods beginning 1 April 2026. Here is what changes for ESG-linked loans, financial instrument classification, and renewable energy power purchase agreements — and what management and auditors should review before FY 2026-27 close.

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22 Sept 2026§ 135

Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026: What Changes for India Inc

The JPC has endorsed the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing changes to CSR thresholds, fast-track mergers, decriminalisation of procedural defaults, and NFRA's powers. None of it is law yet — here is what to track and what to leave untouched until Presidential Assent.

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22 Sept 2026§ 129

One audit a year isn't enough: Section 129 vs bank MIS

Section 129 of the Companies Act, 2013 requires one audited financial statement a year. Banks monitoring cash credit and term loans require monthly stock statements and quarterly MIS on top of that — and treating the annual audit as sufficient can stall your credit limit review.

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Business Compliance & Labour Law

61 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 85B

ESIC Amnesty Scheme 2025: Deadline 30 September 2026 for ESI Dues

ESIC's Amnesty Scheme 2025 lets employers settle outstanding ESI contributions, interest and litigation while getting Section 85B damages waived. The window closes 30 September 2026 — here's who qualifies and how to apply.

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22 Sept 2026§ 2(i) of the DPDP Act, 2023

DPDP Phase 2 Is Live: Your Compliance Checklist for 2027

The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 have entered Phase 2, with the Data Protection Board moving from awareness-building to active oversight between August and November 2026. Every business that collects a customer's name, phone number, email, Aadhaar, or PAN is a Data Fiduciary and needs a consent, grievance, and retention framework in place well before the May 13, 2027 full-compliance deadline.

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22 Sept 2026§ 7Q of the EPF & MP Act, 1952

EPFO VISHWAS 2026: Settle PF Default Notices Before Dec 28

EPFO's VISHWAS 2026 one-time settlement scheme lets employers close pending PF damage and penalty disputes for defaults before 14 June 2024 at sharply reduced rates. The window under Paragraph 23 of the EPF Scheme, 2026 closes on 28 December 2026, and eligibility depends on clearing Section 7Q interest in full first.

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11 Sept 2026

"Bonus must be 20% of my salary": what the Payment of Bonus Act and the 2026 Code on Wages rules actually say

Every October the same claim circulates: statutory bonus is 20% of your salary. It is not. Statutory bonus in India is a floor of 8.33% and a ceiling of 20%, and it is calculated not on your actual pay but on a capped wage figure of Rs 7,000 per month, or the notified minimum wage for your scheduled employment if that is higher. Eligibility itself stops at Rs 21,000 of monthly basic plus dearness allowance. On 25 August 2026 the Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the bonus eligibility and calculation rules under the Code on Wages, 2019, carrying both figures forward from the 2016 amendment to the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965. This article sets out the operative sections under both statutes, works through four real salary scenarios, explains the five-year infancy exemption under Section 16, the set-on and set-off mechanism, the Section 43B timing trap for employers, and the 30 November 2026 payment deadline for the accounting year ended 31 March 2026.

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Cost Audit & CMA Services

6 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 148

CRA-2 and CRA-4 Deadlines for FY 2025-26: September 27 & October 27, 2026

Companies covered under the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 must file Form CRA-2 by September 27, 2026 and Form CRA-4 by approximately October 27, 2026 for FY 2025-26. Here is who is covered, the turnover thresholds under Table A and Table B, and the penalties for missing either deadline.

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15 Aug 2026§ Section 148, Companies Act 2013

Cost Audit Compliance 2026: CFOs and Directors Now Face Personal Penalties Under the Corporate Laws Amendment Bill

The Corporate Laws Amendment Bill 2026 proposes direct personal liability for CFOs and MDs at companies required to maintain cost records under Section 148 of the Companies Act 2013. With the CRA-2 cost auditor appointment deadline approaching in September 2026, regulated-industry companies need to act now. The Bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee and has not yet received Presidential assent.

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5 Jun 2026§ 92C of the Income Tax Act, 1961

Standard Costing for Manufacturers: Bridging Product Costs and Transfer Pricing Under Section 92C

Manufacturers face a twin challenge: keeping product costs accurate via standard costing while simultaneously defending transfer prices to tax authorities. Section 92C demands robust documentation. Form 3CEB requires certified cost accounting records. This post shows how to make standard costing serve both objectives.

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4 Jun 2026§ 3

DPCO Compliance for Pharma: Cost Statement Format, Ceiling Price Reporting & NPPA Rules

The Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 mandates strict cost accounting and price declaration for pharma companies. We break down cost statement format, NPPA ceiling price calculations, and critical compliance deadlines.

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Customs Duty & Trade Policy

6 articles

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Featured19 Jun 2026§ Customs Act, 1962

EOU and IGCR Compliance: Duty-Free Imports Under Customs Rules 2017

Export Oriented Units (EOUs) are permitted to import capital goods, raw materials, and consumables without customs duty under the Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate) Rules 2017. This concession is subject to strict compliance conditions and end-use verification by Customs authorities.

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10 Jun 2026§ 12 of the Customs Act, 1962

Customs Duty in India: BCD, IGST on Imports & the ITS Explained

Customs duty is not just a single levy--it's a layered system of Basic Customs Duty, additional duties, and IGST. Understanding the Integrated Tariff Schedule and how these duties interact is critical for importers, manufacturers, and NRIs bringing goods into India.

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23 Apr 2026§ 73(3) of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975

Anti-Dumping Duty in India: DGTR Investigation, Provisional vs Final Duty, and High Court Challenge

Anti-dumping duty protects Indian industry from cheap imports. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) conducts investigations that can result in provisional and final duties. Importers have legal grounds to challenge these findings at the High Court.

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14 Apr 2026§ 14 of the Customs Act, 1962

HSN Classification Disputes at Customs: SVB, Related-Party Pricing, CAAR Advance Ruling & CESTAT Appeal

HSN classification disputes can paralyze your imports. This post explains how the Standing Valuation Board (SVB) determines related-party pricing, the CAAR advance ruling procedure to prevent disputes, and your appeal rights to CESTAT if Customs rejects your valuation.

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Direct Tax Services

105 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 234C

Missed 15 September 2026 Advance Tax? Section 234C Interest Explained

The second advance tax instalment for FY 2025-26 was due on 15 September 2026, requiring 45% of your estimated annual tax paid cumulatively. If you fell short, Section 234C interest applies — here is how it is calculated and what to do now.

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22 Sept 2026§ 202

ITA 2025 HUF Tax Regime: New Default Rules from 2026-27

The Income-tax Act, 2025 makes the New Tax Regime the default for Hindu Undivided Families from Tax Year 2026-27 under Section 202 — and unlike individuals, HUFs get no rebate under the new regime. Here is what changes and how to opt out if the old regime suits your HUF better.

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22 Sept 2026§ 44AB

Tax Audit Section 44AB AY 2026-27: Who Must File by Sep 30

The tax audit report under Section 44AB for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is due on September 30, 2026. Here's who is covered — businesses over ₹1 crore, professionals over ₹50 lakh, and presumptive-scheme opt-out cases — and what happens if you miss it.

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22 Sept 2026§ 54

ITAT: CGAS Deposit Not Mandatory Under Section 54 If Invested

ITAT Hyderabad has held that a Capital Gains Account Scheme deposit is not compulsory under Section 54 if the taxpayer actually invested the capital gains in a new residential house within the prescribed time. Here is what the ruling covers, what it does not change, and where the exemption still commonly fails.

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Emerging & Next-Gen Compliance

15 articles

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Featured8 Aug 2026§ Section 115BBH, Income-tax Act 1961

Can You Set Off Crypto Losses Against Salary or Stocks? Section 115BBH Rules

Zero. VDA losses cannot be set off against salary, stock gains, or business income, and cannot be carried forward under s.115BBH ITA 1961 — the harshest loss restriction in the Act. Only set-off against VDA gains in the same year is possible, and even that is contested.

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8 Aug 2026§ Section 2(47A), Income-tax Act 1961

Section 2(47A) Virtual Digital Asset Definition: NFTs, Stablecoins and CBDC Edge Cases

s.2(47A) ITA 1961 defines a VDA as any cryptographically generated token of value — expressly including NFTs — but not Indian/foreign currency, not RBI's e-Rupee, and not notified exclusions like gift cards. Stablecoins are likely VDAs, with no express CBDT exclusion.

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8 Aug 2026§ Section 115BBH, Income-tax Act 1961

P2P Crypto Trades and Foreign Exchanges: INR Conversion, RBI Rate and ITR Disclosure

31.2% applies to every P2P and foreign-exchange VDA sale — converted to INR at the trade-date RBI reference rate in Schedule VDA, with foreign-held VDAs disclosed in Schedule FA, and a FEMA angle on holding abroad that needs specialist review.

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8 Aug 2026§ Section 115BBH, Income-tax Act 1961

Schedule VDA in ITR-2: How to Report Bitcoin, Ethereum and Exchange P&L

30% plus 4% cess is the rate on every VDA gain reported in Schedule VDA of ITR-2 or ITR-3 — with type of VDA, acquisition date, transfer date, consideration, and cost in INR, not in Schedule OS or CG. The AIS shows gross sale consideration, so transaction-level disclosure is what reconciles.

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Exporters — Tax, GST & FEMA

7 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026

RoDTEP Scheme Expiry: What Exporters Must Do Before 30 Sep 2026

RoDTEP benefits run out on 30 September 2026 under DGFT Notification No. 74/2025-26, with no extension notified as of 17 September. Here is what exporters must check, claim, and price for before the deadline.

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22 Jun 2026§ 13

FEMA Export Realisation: The 9-Month Rule, Write-Off, and Section 13 Penalties Explained

Exporters must realise export proceeds within 9 months under FEMA Notification 23(R). Failure invites penalties under Section 13 of FEMA. This post covers the realisation rule, write-off eligibility, penalty mechanics, and compliance steps.

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13 Jun 2026§ 13

Advance Authorisation under Foreign Trade Policy: Routes, SION Norms, and Closing Export Obligation

Advance Authorisation lets you import raw materials and components duty-free to manufacture and export finished goods. This guide covers the pre-import and post-import routes, SION norms, and the critical compliance rules for closing your export obligation.

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10 Jun 2026§ 10AA

Software Exports and SOFTEX Filing: STPI, FEMA 23(R), and the Non-Negotiable CA Certificate for Section 10AA

If you export software through an STPI unit, you cannot claim Section 10AA exemption without a Chartered Accountant certificate. This post explains SOFTEX filing, FEMA 23(R) compliance, and why the CA sign-off is legally mandatory, not optional.

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FEMA & Cross-Border Transactions

11 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026

FEM(NDI) Third Amendment Rules 2026: Who Can Now Invest in India

The FEM(NDI) Third Amendment Rules, 2026 open Schedule III of the FEM(NDI) Rules, 2019 to all non-resident individuals, not just NRIs and OCIs, letting them buy Indian listed shares through an Authorised Dealer bank instead of registering as a Foreign Portfolio Investor. Thresholds, the border-country safeguard, and what listed Indian companies must now track are explained below.

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22 Sept 2026§ 47

FEMA Export-Import Rules 2026: What Changes for Exporters on 1 October

RBI's new FEMA (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 take effect on 1 October 2026, extending realisation periods, mandating EDF for services, and replacing 167 legacy circulars. Here is what exporters and importers must check before the deadline.

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22 Sept 2026§ 6(6)

RNOR Tax Break: What Returning NRIs Must Do Before 30 Sept

Returning NRIs get 2-3 years of RNOR status under Section 6(6), during which most foreign income stays outside Indian tax. A June 2026 RBI circular has also opened an elevated FCNR(B) rate window that closes on 30 September 2026 — and FEMA account conversion rules that trip up even careful planners.

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22 Sept 2026§ 10(4)(ii) of the Income-tax Act, 1961

RBI Draft KYC Amendment Directions 2026: NRI Action Points

RBI's draft KYC Amendment Directions 2026, open for public comment since 11 September 2026, propose mandatory Video KYC for NRIs, any-branch updation, and extended renewal timelines for low-risk accounts. Here is what NRE, NRO, and FCNR(B) holders should do while the draft is under review.

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Indirect Tax Services

23 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 73(1)

DRC-01 Is Not an SCN: GSTAT 2026 Ruling on FY 2022-23 GST Demands

A September 2026 GSTAT ruling holds that Form DRC-01 is only a summary of a show cause notice under Section 73(1) of the CGST Act and cannot substitute it. With the deadline to issue valid FY 2022-23 SCNs falling on September 30, 2026, taxpayers should check whether their demand notices meet the statutory test.

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22 Sept 2026§ 73

Section 73 GST Demand Notice FY 2022-23: Deadline 30 Sep 2026

GST officers must issue Show-Cause Notices for FY 2022-23 non-fraud demands under Section 73 CGST Act by 30 September 2026. Here is who is affected, what a valid notice must contain, and what to do before the window closes.

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22 Sept 2026§ 16(4)

ITC Claim Deadline for FY 2025-26: November 30, 2026, Not September GSTR-3B

The Input Tax Credit cut-off for FY 2025-26 is November 30, 2026 — not the September GSTR-3B due date of October 20 — under Section 16(4) of the CGST Act as amended by Finance Act 2022. Businesses still working off the pre-2022 rule risk losing eligible credit, and an early GSTR-9 filing can pull that deadline in even further.

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22 Sept 2026§ 16(2)(c)

Supreme Court GST Ruling: No ITC If Supplier Doesn't Pay Tax

The Supreme Court has upheld Section 16(2)(c) of the CGST Act, confirming that a buyer loses Input Tax Credit if the supplier never deposits the collected GST — even if the buyer acted in good faith. With FY 2022-23 demand notices due by 30 September 2026, businesses need to check their vendor compliance now.

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NGO, Trust & Not-for-Profit

17 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 12AB(1)

Section 12AB: 10-Year Validity for Small Trusts & CS 04 Scrutiny Risk

Finance Act 2025 extends Section 12AB registration to 10 years for trusts with total income under ₹5 crore, but Section 80G stays on a 5-year cycle. CBDT's CS 04 guideline now flags registration defects for compulsory scrutiny in AY 2026-27.

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22 Sept 2026§ 12AB

RNPO Under Income Tax Act 2025: What 12A/12AB Holders Must Know

Charitable trusts, NGOs, and Section 8 companies registered under Section 12A/12AB now fall under the Registered Non-Profit Organisation (RNPO) framework in Chapter XVII of the Income-tax Act, 2025. Existing certificates stay valid and exemption continues uninterrupted, but audit report forms and filing deadlines differ between AY 2026-27 and Tax Year 2026-27.

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22 Sept 2026§ 12

FCRA Registration Expires 30 Sep 2026: What NGOs Must Do Now

MHA's extension for FCRA registrations with pending FC-3C renewals ends 30 September 2026. This guide explains who is covered, what happens on 1 October, and the new FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026 requirements NGOs must track.

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22 Sept 2026§ 119(2)(b)

CBDT Condones Form 10AB Delay for 80G Approval: Act Before 31 Dec 2026

CBDT Circular No. 06/2026 condones delay in electronic filing of Form 10AB for Section 80G(5) approval where the application was filed between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026. Jurisdictional CIT(Exemptions) must dispose of these applications on merits by 31 December 2026 — here is what eligible trusts and NGOs must do before that deadline.

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NRI Services

61 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 54F

Section 54F Capital Gains Exemption 2026: 3 ITAT Rulings for NRIs

Three 2026 ITAT Hyderabad rulings on Section 54F show that beneficial ownership documentation can save a ₹2.80 crore exemption, while a rushed pre-sale gift can cost ₹2.63 crore. Here is what NRIs and HNIs need to document before claiming Section 54F on a property purchase.

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22 Sept 2026§ 195

NRI Selling Property in India 2026: 12.5% LTCG, No Indexation

NRIs selling property in India after July 23, 2024 pay long-term capital gains at a flat 12.5% with no indexation benefit. This guide covers TDS under Section 195, exemptions under Sections 54, 54EC and 54F, and the Form 15CB/15CA route for repatriating sale proceeds under FEMA.

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16 Sept 2026§ Section 195, Income-tax Act 1961; FEMA (Remittance of Assets) Regulations 2016 (FEMA 13(R)/2016-RB)

NRI Sold Property Below ₹50 Lakh Without TDS: What Happens Next?

When an NRI sells property in India, the ₹50 lakh TDS exemption under Section 194-IA does not apply — Section 195 has zero threshold. Here is what the buyer and seller each owe, and how to fix it.

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13 Aug 2026§ Section 195, Income-tax Act 1961

"Every foreign remittance needs a CA certificate": What ITA 2025 actually says

Walk into almost any bank branch in India with a request to remit money abroad and you will hear the same sentence: "Sir, you need 15CA and 15CB from a CA." It is stated as though it were a universal rule. It is not. A large share of outward remittances, including some of the most common ones NRIs make, require no CA certificate at all, and a meaningful number require nothing beyond a simple self-declaration. Since 1 April 2026 the forms have been renumbered: Form 15CA is now Form 145 and Form 15CB is now Form 146 under the Income-tax Act, 2025. This guide sets out the four-part structure of Form 145, the exact circumstances in which a CA certificate in Form 146 is genuinely mandatory, the specified purposes and LRS carve-out where no filing is needed at all, the aggregate Rs.5,00,000 tax-year threshold that catches people making several mid-sized remittances, and the penalty exposure under Section 201 when withholding goes wrong.

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Operations & CFO Services

7 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 145

Cash to Accrual Accounting: Triggers, Tax Rules and the Audit Test

Indian law doesn't leave the cash-vs-accrual choice open-ended forever — incorporation, audit thresholds, Ind AS adoption and bank credit each trigger a mandatory switch to accrual accounting. This piece maps every trigger under Section 145 ITA 1961, Section 128 Companies Act 2013 and ICDS I, and lays out the eight-step process to make the transition audit-proof.

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22 Sept 2026§ 2(40) of the Companies Act

Management accounts vs statutory accounts: what banks actually check

Statutory accounts and bank MIS (management accounts) are not interchangeable documents — one is an annual filing under the Companies Act 2013, the other is a monthly submission that drives your working capital Drawing Power. Confusing the two is a common reason cash credit limits get frozen or cut.

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15 Jun 2026§ 179

Working Capital Management: Cash Conversion Cycle, Credit Terms & TReDS Invoice Discounting

Working capital management isn't about juggling; it's about moving cash intelligently. Learn to decode your cash conversion cycle, negotiate supplier and customer terms that don't strangle your business, and use TReDS platform effectively for invoice discounting under RBI framework.

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26 May 2026§ 179

Financial Projections for Fundraising: 3-Statement Model, Ind AS 115 Revenue Recognition & Board Approval Under Section 179

Fundraising demands credible 3-statement projections: P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow. Investors scrutinize revenue recognition under Ind AS 115, debt capacity, and working capital. Board approval under Section 179 is mandatory, not optional.

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Resident Welfare Associations

5 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 143(1)(a)

RWA Maintenance Surplus & Income Tax: Mutuality Principle in 2026

A 2026 ITAT ruling has reaffirmed that surplus from member maintenance charges is not taxable income under the doctrine of mutuality. Here's what RWAs and housing societies should do if the CPC has raised a Section 143(1) adjustment on member receipts.

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28 Jun 2026§ 44AB of the Income Tax Act

RWA Audit & Accounting: Receipts & Payments, Sinking Fund, and Statutory Requirements

Residential Welfare Associations must file statutory audits and maintain compliant accounts under the Societies Registration Act. This guide covers receipts and payments preparation, sinking fund accounting, and audit requirements that RWA secretaries and treasurers must follow.

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25 Jun 2026§ 2(24)

Income Tax for Resident Welfare Associations: Mutuality, Exemptions, and ITR-5 Filing

Resident Welfare Associations operate under the mutuality principle under Section 2(24) of the Income Tax Act. Learn which RWA income is exempt, exemption limits, and when ITR-5 filing becomes mandatory.

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20 Jun 2026§ 194C

TDS Obligations for RWAs: Section 194C & 194J, and Monthly Form 26Q Filing

Residential Welfare Associations often overlook their TDS filing duties. This post covers Section 194C on maintenance contractor payments, Section 194J on professional fees, and the critical monthly Form 26Q deadline--with compliance checklists for RWA treasurers and accountants.

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Trademark & IP Services

7 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 21

Nice Classification 13th Edition: New Trademark Filing Rules from 1 Jan 2026

The Nice Classification 13th Edition took effect on 1 January 2026, and India's Trade Marks Office now validates new filings against it under Rule 21. Contact lenses move from Class 9 to Class 10, AI and SaaS descriptions need more precision, and applications using 12th Edition wording risk a Rule 22 examination report and 3–6 month delay.

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22 Sept 2026§ 25

"Trademarks never expire": what Section 25 actually says about renewal

Indian trademark registrations do not last forever — they run for ten years from the application date under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act 1999 and must be renewed on time. Miss the deadline and a six-month grace window, then a discretionary one-year restoration window, are all that stand between the brand owner and losing the mark to a fresh applicant.

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25 Jun 2026§ 6(1)(d) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999

Trademark Registration in India: The 4-Step Process Under Trade Marks Act 1999, Class 35 for Service Businesses, and Why a CA Should Handle the IP Audit

Trademark registration in India follows a four-step statutory process under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Service businesses use International Classification Class 35. A CA's IP audit protects your intangible assets and ensures tax compliance.

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16 Jun 2026§ 44

Copyright Registration Under Section 44 of the Copyright Act 1957: Why Software Companies Need It

Copyright registration under Section 44 of the Copyright Act 1957 provides statutory evidence of ownership and is essential for software companies enforcing IP rights. We explain what qualifies for registration, the procedure, and why it matters for your business.

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Wealth & Treasury Management

24 articles

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Featured22 Sept 2026§ 164

Discretionary Trust in Your Will: Why It May Escape the Highest Tax Rate

An ITAT ruling holds that a discretionary trust created under a deceased person's Will may not be taxed at the Maximum Marginal Rate under Section 164 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, if it names a defined class of beneficiaries. This matters for business families using Will-based trusts for succession planning.

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22 Sept 2026§ 54EC

Section 54EC Capital Gains Bonds 2026: The 6-Month Window for Property Sellers

Sold land or a building in 2026? Section 54EC lets you exempt long-term capital gains by investing in notified bonds within six months of transfer — but the ₹50 lakh cap, five-year lock-in, and issuer eligibility rules trip up sellers every year. Here is what the section actually requires.

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22 Sept 2026§ 171

HUF Partition in India: Tax Rules Under Section 171 Explained

A total HUF partition, once recognised by the Assessing Officer under Section 171 of the Income-tax Act 1961, triggers no capital gains tax on asset distribution — but a partial partition is not recognised at all. Here is what Section 171 actually requires.

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22 Sept 2026§ 112 of the Income Tax Act, 1961

Property Capital Gains AY 2026-27: 12.5% vs 20% Indexation Choice, CII 376, Section 54 Timing

Whether you get the 20% indexed LTCG rate or must use 12.5% flat depends entirely on when you bought the property, relative to July 23, 2024. This article walks through the two tracks, CII 376 for FY 2025-26, NRI TDS rules, and the Section 54/54EC deadlines that apply to AY 2026-27 filings.

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Advisory

2 articles

Featured15 Aug 2026§ DPIIT Press Note No. 3 (2026 Series), July 23 2026, para 5.2.15.2.5; FEM (NDI) Rules 2019; Draft FEMA (Foreign Investment) Rules 2026

FDI in India E-Commerce: DPIIT Press Note 3 (2026) Opens Inventory-Based Export Route

India''s FDI policy for e-commerce has had one inviolable rule for nearly a decade: foreign money can fund the marketplace platform, but not the inventory. On July 23, 2026, DPIIT Press Note No. 3 (2026 Series) created the first exception — foreign-invested e-commerce entities may now operate an inventory-based model, but exclusively for the export of goods manufactured or produced in India.

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Nri Tax

10 articles

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Featured17 Sept 2026

"I inherited the shares, so my cost is zero": What ITA 2025 actually says

Heirs of Indian shares routinely assume their cost of acquisition is zero and that their holding period restarts on the date of death. Both assumptions are wrong, and together they can inflate a tax bill by several lakh rupees. Section 49(1) of ITA 1961, retained under ITA 2025, deems your cost to be the previous owner's cost, and the Explanation to Section 2(42A) adds the previous owner's holding period to yours. Crucially, the 31 January 2018 grandfathering benefit under Section 55(2)(ac) travels with the inheritance. This guide works through the three-step grandfathering formula with a full NRI worked example, the Section 112A and 111A rates for Tax Year 2026-27, transmission mechanics, TDS treatment, advance tax timing, and the ITR-2 Schedule 112A entries that heirs most often get wrong.

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16 Sept 2026

"Just sell and rebuy on March 31 to reset your gains": What ITA 2025 actually says about capital gains harvesting

Every February the same message circulates in NRI investor groups: sell your equity funds on March 30, book Rs.1.25 lakh of long-term gains tax-free, buy back on March 31, and you have reset your cost base for free. The strategy is real. The way most people describe it is wrong on three separate counts. The Rs.1.25 lakh LTCG exemption under ITA 2025 is an aggregate per taxpayer per tax year, not per folio, per demat account or per sale. India genuinely has no wash-sale rule for listed securities, so the sell-and-rebuy gap is legal, but the repurchase restarts the 12-month holding clock at zero. And for NRIs specifically, a TDS layer sits between the sale proceeds and the bank account that resident investors never encounter: the AMC deducts on the computed gain without knowing your exemption headroom, so tax is collected first and refunded a year later. The entire strategy is capped at Rs.15,625 of annual benefit. This article sets out what the law says, what the TDS arithmetic does to NRI portfolios, and a nine-step process to execute it correctly before Tax Year 2026-27 closes.

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15 Sept 2026

"Book ₹1.25 lakh of gains every year and pay zero tax": What ITA 2025 actually says

Every February the same message circulates: sell shares worth ₹1.25 lakh of profit before 31 March, buy them back the next morning, and you have legally erased that tax forever. The strategy is real and legal — but the people repeating it get three things wrong that cost more than the tax saved. India has no general wash-sale rule for harvesting gains; Sections 94(7) and 94(8) target dividend and bonus stripping only, and GAAR needs a ₹3 crore benefit before it bites. The ₹1.25 lakh exemption under Section 112A is per PAN per tax year, not per demat account — three brokers does not mean ₹3.75 lakh. And for NRIs the AMC deducts TDS under Section 195 without applying the exemption at all, locking up the refund for 9 to 15 months. This piece sets out the exact arithmetic, the assets the exemption does not cover, and a nine-step execution sequence under ITA 2025.

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13 Sept 2026

"I'll just park it in NHAI bonds": What Section 54EC actually says in 2026

Almost every property seller says the same sentence: "I'll put the gain into NHAI bonds and the tax goes away." Two things are wrong with it. NHAI stopped issuing capital gains bonds years ago, so the instrument no longer exists. And the relief itself is capped, time-bound, and structured in a way that quietly disqualifies a large share of the people who assume they qualify. This article sets out what Section 54EC actually covers under the Income Tax Act 2025 — why only land and building gains qualify, why the Rs.50 lakh ceiling now spans two Tax Years rather than one, why the six-month window runs from the date of transfer and not from the date consideration is received, and why the five-year lock-in cannot be broken even by pledging the bonds. It also covers the issuers still in the market — REC, PFC and IRFC, all at 5.25% with fully taxable interest — and the specific Section 195 withholding problem that strands NRI sellers' liquidity before they can fund the investment, plus the Section 197 certificate that solves it.

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