Big Changes from April 2026 – Are You Ready?

Compliance Due Date Table (April 2026)

Due DateCompliance                 Particulars
10 April 2026         GSTGSTR-7 & GSTR-8 (TDS/TCS Return)
11 April 2026          GSTGSTR-1 (Monthly – March 2026)
13 April 2026           GSTGSTR-1 (QRMP), GSTR-5, GSTR-5A,     GSTR-6
20 April 2026GSTGSTR-3B (Monthly) + Tax Payment
22 April 2026GSTGSTR-3B (QRMP – Group A States)
24 April 2026GSTGSTR-3B (QRMP – Group B States)
25 April 2026GSTPMT-06 (QRMP Payment)
30 April 2026Income TaxTDS Payment (March 2026)
30 April 2026MCA / MSMEMSME-1 (Oct–Mar Half-Yearly Return)

Key Tax, Regulatory & Compliance Changes – Effective 2026

CategoryOld RulesNew Rules (Effective 2026)
The RulebookIncome Tax Act, 1961Income Tax Act, 2025 replaces old law with simplified provisions
Securities Transaction Tax (STT)• Options (premium): 0.1%
• Options (intrinsic): 0.125%
• Futures: 0.02%
• Options (premium): 0.15%
• Options (intrinsic): 0.15%
• Futures: 0.05%
ITR Filing Deadline31st July• ITR-1 & 2: 31st July
• ITR-3 & 4: 31st August
Taxation Year TerminologyFY & AY systemReplaced with “Tax Year”
Stock BuybacksTaxed as deemed dividend at slab rates• Taxed as Capital Gains
• Promoters (Individual): 30%
• Promoters (Company): 22%
• Others: STCG/LTCG basis
TCS on Foreign Tours• 5% up to ₹10L
• 20% above ₹10L
Flat 2% on total amount
TCS – Education & Medical5% above ₹10 lakhReduced to 2% above ₹10 lakh
Revised ReturnAllowed up to 9 months (31 Dec)Extended to 12 months (31 March) with additional fee after Dec
SEBI – IPO & Rights Issue ReliefNormal approval validity• Validity extended till 30 Sept 2026
• ~40 companies get relief
• MPS compliance relaxed (no penalty till Sept)
• Updated documents + merchant banker confirmation required
RBI – Collateral-Free Loan (MSEs)₹10 lakh limitIncreased to ₹20 lakh
• Applicable for loans after 1 April 2026
• Covers Banks, NBFCs, MFIs
• No collateral required (optional allowed)
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB)Tax-free on maturity (general understanding)• Tax-free only if subscribed via RBI & held till maturity
• Exchange purchase (BSE/NSE): Taxable
• LTCG: 12.5% (>12 months)
• STCG: As per slab
• 2.5% interest taxable
CCFS-2026 (MCA Amnesty Scheme)No such scheme• Valid: 15 Apr – 15 July 2026
• 90% waiver on late fees (pay only 10%)
• Covers AOC-4, MGT-7 filings
• Immunity from penalties & prosecution
• Helps inactive companies regularize/strike-off
HRA Exemption Update40% for non-metro cities• 50% exemption extended to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune
• Now total 8 metro-equivalent cities
HRA ConditionsStandard rules• Must opt old tax regime
• Must receive HRA
• Must pay rent
HRA Calculation RuleStandard formulaExemption = Lowest of:
• Actual HRA received
• Rent – 10% of salary
• 50% (metro cities) / 40% (others)
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