Relief
32stories
September 2026
-
FEMA & RBIRBI drops two reports on Rupee accounts of non-resident banks: yearly branch list and overdrawal reporting dispensed with — A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 20
Two FEMA reports droppedReliefBy A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 20 dated 2 September 2026, RBI has dispensed with two reporting requirements on Rupee accounts of non-resident banks that dated from April 2003: the annual list of branches maintaining such accounts, and the report of temporary overdrawals not adjusted within five days. The change applies with immediate effect.
-
LabourPF Trusts without a formal exemption order can regularise under the EPF Scheme 2026 amnesty till 28 December 2026
PF Trust amnestyReliefThe one-time amnesty is for PF Trusts recognised under the Income-tax Act that have no exemption order under section 17 of the EPF & MP Act or section 143 of the Code on Social Security.
-
Foreign TradeDGFT starts automatic issue of Free Sale and Commerce Certificates for eligible applications
Auto-issuedReliefEligible applications on the DGFT portal will be issued without manual scrutiny by the Regional Authority. Others continue on the manual route, and auto-approved cases can be flagged for review.
August 2026
-
Foreign TradeWheat, atta, maida and suji can be exported again: DGFT moves them from “Prohibited” to “Free”
Prohibited → FreeReliefTwo notifications of 24 August 2026 revise the export policy of wheat under HS codes 10011900 and 10019910, and of wheat flour and related products under HS code 11010000, to “Free” with immediate effect.
-
LabourEPFO Employees’ Enrolment Campaign, 2026 open till 31 October 2026: one-time window to enrol employees left out of EPF between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2026
EEC 2026 closes 31 October 2026ReliefEPFO has urged establishments to use the Employees’ Enrolment Campaign, 2026, notified with effect from 29 June 2026 and open up to 31 October 2026. Employers can declare and enrol eligible employees who stayed outside EPF coverage between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2026. The Campaign includes waiver of the employee’s share where it was not deducted earlier, subject to its conditions.
-
Foreign TradeOne Star Export House status on two years’ performance out of three; Diamond Imprest para drops Compensation Cess reference — DGFT Notifications 33/2026-27 and 32/2026-27
Two out of three yearsReliefTwo amendments to the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 dated 21 August 2026. Para 1.25(d) now lets an applicant (other than Gems & Jewellery) get One Star Export House status with export performance in any two of the three preceding financial years. Para 4.63 on Diamond Imprest Authorisation no longer refers to Compensation Cess, which stands discontinued from 1 February 2026.
-
FEMA & RBI29 FDI investments worth ₹4,895.65 crore reported under the revised land-border-country rule
₹4,895.65 croreReliefSince Press Note 2 of 2026, investors with non-controlling land-bordering-country ownership of up to 10% can use the automatic route after reporting to the Government.
-
CustomsStrait of Hormuz closure: bulk cargo bound for foreign ports may be stored and transhipped at Indian ports till 31 October 2026
Till 31 October 2026ReliefCircular 36/2026-Customs continues the facilitation for international transhipment through Indian ports and lets Commissioners permit, case by case, temporary unloading and storage of liquid, break and dry bulk cargo diverted to India.
-
SEBIOnline Bond Platform Providers may now offer 54EC / section 85 capital-gains bonds and IFSCA-regulated products; compliance officer rule changed
54EC bonds on bond platformsReliefSEBI has widened what Online Bond Platform Providers can offer. From 14 August 2026 they may offer bonds issued under section 54EC of the Income Tax Act, 1961 or section 85 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, and products regulated by IFSCA, each with labelling and disclaimer conditions. The compliance officer is now to be appointed as per the Stock Brokers Regulations, 2026 in place of a Company Secretary.
-
SEBIMunicipal bonds: SEBI sets face value at ₹1 lakh or ₹10,000 for private placements, adds a two-step escrow for pooled finance vehicles and gives more time for financial results
Face value ₹1 lakh or ₹10,000ReliefFollowing the July 2026 amendment to the municipal debt securities regulations, SEBI has specified operational norms by a circular of 11 August 2026. Privately placed municipal debt securities are to have a face value of ₹1 lakh or ₹10,000; pooled finance vehicles get a two-step escrow mechanism and a list of credit enhancement options; municipalities get 60 days for half-yearly and 90 days for annual results.
-
Startup & MSMEECLGS 5.0: MSMEs can get additional credit up to 20% of peak working capital, with 100% guarantee cover
₹2.55 lakh croreReliefIn a Rajya Sabha reply the Government set out the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0, introduced in May 2026, and SIDBI’s direct-credit growth.
June 2026
-
Company LawDPT-3 for FY 2025-26: MCA allowed filing without additional fees till 31 July 2026 after data centre fire
No extra fee till 31 JulyReliefBy General Circular No. 02/2026 of 19 June 2026, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs allowed companies to file Form DPT-3 (return of deposits) for the financial year 2025-26 without additional fees up to 31 July 2026, because of restoration work at its data centre after a fire on 5 June 2026.
The morning brief
One email each working morning with the day’s tax, GST and company-law news. It is starting soon; leave your address and it comes to you from day one.