Income tax filing, planning and notices — ITR forms, deductions, regimes and refunds explained.
If you have applied for a new PAN or a correction, or simply want to confirm that the PAN you hold is valid, there are official ways to check the status online in 2026. This guide explains how to track a PAN application using an acknowledgement number, name and date of birth on Protean (formerly…
Deducting tax at source is one of the most compliance-heavy routines in Indian taxation. Every quarter, deductors must prepare accurate returns, validate them, map challans, download certificates, and file corrections when the department flags a mismatch. Doing this by hand across dozens of clients is slow and error-prone, which is why most Chartered Accountants and…
Paying income tax in India is now almost entirely online. Whether you are a salaried employee clearing a small balance, a freelancer paying advance tax, or a business responding to a demand notice, the Income Tax Department’s e-Pay Tax facility on the official portal (incometax.gov.in) lets you generate a challan and pay directly from your…
Section 194J of the Income Tax Act, 1961 governs the deduction of tax at source (TDS) on payments made towards professional and technical services. For businesses, professionals, and organisations operating in India during FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), understanding this provision is essential to stay compliant and avoid interest, penalties, and disallowance of expenses. This guide…
Section 194H of the Income-tax Act, 1961 governs the deduction of tax at source (TDS) on payments in the nature of commission or brokerage made to residents. Businesses that engage agents, distributors, dealers or intermediaries need to understand when this deduction applies, at what rate, and by when the tax must be deposited. This article…
Renting commercial premises brings with it a tax deduction at source (TDS) obligation that many businesses overlook until a notice arrives. Section 194-I of the Income-tax Act governs TDS on rent paid for land, buildings, plant and machinery, while Section 194-IB covers certain individuals and HUFs who fall outside the audit net. This article explains…
Corporate tax is the income tax levied on the profits of companies operating in India, and it forms one of the largest components of the country’s direct tax collection. For the assessment year 2026-27 (financial year 2025-26), companies must navigate a base rate structure, two optional concessional regimes, Minimum Alternate Tax, and layers of surcharge…
Advance tax is the “pay as you earn” mechanism under the Income-tax law, requiring you to discharge your tax liability in instalments during the year rather than in a single payment after the year ends. It applies to salaried individuals with other income, freelancers, professionals, business owners and companies alike, wherever the tax due is…
Section 192 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 requires every employer paying taxable salary to deduct income tax at source before releasing pay to the employee. Unlike most TDS provisions that apply a flat rate, Section 192 obliges the employer to estimate each employee’s annual tax liability and spread it across the financial year. This article…
Choosing income tax filing software is a practical decision that affects accuracy, turnaround time and compliance risk for any tax professional or business in India. This guide sets out what to look for, the broad categories of tools available in 2026, and the considerations that matter when comparing them. It is deliberately advisory and vendor-neutral,…