Overview
This article provides a detailed, plain-language explanation of Finance Act 2024 under the Income Tax Act, 1961, Income Tax Rules, 1962, and the new Income Tax Act, 2025 (where applicable). This guide incorporates all amendments made by the Finance Act, 2025, Finance Act, 2024 (July Budget), and relevant CBDT Circulars and Notifications up to March 2026.
Relevant provisions: Finance Act 2024. Where the Income Tax Act, 2025 makes changes, a comparison with the existing law is provided.
What the Law Says
Provisions Under Income Tax Act, 1961
Finance Act 2024 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 governs Finance Act 2024. The section establishes: (a) the scope of taxability, (b) computation methodology, (c) deductions and exemptions available, (d) compliance requirements, and (e) consequences of non-compliance. The Income Tax Rules, 1962 provide detailed procedural requirements including prescribed forms, methods of valuation, and timelines.
Changes Under Income Tax Act, 2025
1. Tax Year Concept: The Previous Year/Assessment Year system is being replaced with a unified "Tax Year" concept, simplifying compliance.
2. Simplified Language: The new Act uses clearer, more modern language with fewer cross-references and provisos.
3. Rationalized Provisions: Many overlapping sections have been merged, redundant provisions removed, and the overall structure streamlined from 298 sections to about 536 clauses organized in 23 chapters.
4. Default New Regime: The new tax regime (lower rates, fewer deductions) continues as the default under the new Act.
5. Transition: The new Act will apply from a date to be notified. Until then, the Income Tax Act, 1961 remains fully operative. All references in this article to specific sections are to the 1961 Act unless stated otherwise.
Who Is Affected?
| Taxpayer Category | Applicable? | Special Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried Individual | Yes | Standard deduction Rs. 75,000 (new regime) / Rs. 50,000 (old regime); Form 16 from employer |
| Self-Employed / Professional | Yes | Presumptive taxation u/s 44ADA if gross receipts up to Rs. 75 lakh (with digital receipts) |
| Business Owner / Proprietor | Yes | Presumptive u/s 44AD if turnover up to Rs. 3 crore (with digital receipts); otherwise regular books |
| Company (Domestic) | Yes | 22% tax u/s 115BAA or 25%/30% normal rate; MAT u/s 115JB at 15% |
| LLP / Partnership Firm | Yes | 30% flat rate + surcharge if income above Rs. 1 crore |
| HUF | Yes | Same slab rates as individual; separate entity for tax |
| Trust / Society | Yes | Exempt if registered u/s 12A/12AB; otherwise taxable at MMR/slab |
| NRI / Foreign Company | Yes | Only Indian-sourced income taxable; DTAA benefits available; special rates u/s 115A |
| Investor (Equity/MF/Crypto) | Yes | STCG 20% (equity), LTCG 12.5% (equity) above Rs. 1.25 lakh; VDA 30% flat |
| Senior Citizen (60+/80+) | Yes | Higher basic exemption (old regime); no advance tax if no business income u/s 207; higher 80D limits |
Detailed Explanation with Practical Examples
Example 1 (Salaried): Rahul works in an IT company in Faridabad earning Rs. 12 lakh per annum. Under the new tax regime (default from FY 2024-25), his tax computation is:
| Particular | Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Gross Salary | 12,00,000 |
| Less: Standard Deduction | (75,000) |
| Taxable Income | 11,25,000 |
| Tax (New Regime Slab FY 2025-26) | |
| 0-4,00,000: Nil | 0 |
| 4,00,001-8,00,000: 5% | 20,000 |
| 8,00,001-12,00,000: 10% | 32,500 |
| Total Tax | 52,500 |
| Less: Rebate u/s 87A (if income up to Rs. 12 lakh) | (52,500) |
| Tax Payable | NIL |
| Health & Education Cess 4% | 0 |
| Net Tax Payable | NIL |
Example 2 (Business): Priya runs a trading business with turnover of Rs. 1.5 crore (90% digital receipts). She can opt for presumptive taxation u/s 44AD and declare 6% of digital turnover as income = Rs. 9 lakh. Since this is below the basic exemption + deductions, her tax liability could be minimal.
Example 3 (Capital Gains Post-July 2024): An investor sells listed equity shares held for 18 months at a profit of Rs. 3 lakh. Post-Finance Act 2024 changes: LTCG on listed equity is taxed at 12.5% (reduced from earlier 10%) with exemption of Rs. 1.25 lakh. Tax = 12.5% of (3,00,000 - 1,25,000) = Rs. 21,875 + 4% cess = Rs. 22,750.