Sanjay Patel

Returning to India after years abroad triggers a tax transition most NRIs underestimate. The RNOR window shields foreign income for 2–3 years, but only if your day-count, account redesignation, and Schedule FA timing line up. A returning-NRI checklist for 2026-27.

India's Income-tax Act, 2025 continues the three-tier residency framework — Resident, RNOR, and Non-Resident — with the 182-day test at its core. This guide explains which test applies to you, when RNOR status helps, and why Indian citizens earning abroad face different rules.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman urged Income Tax officers to treat taxpayers as partners, not adversaries, under the new law effective 1 April 2026. She emphasized empathy, fairness, and a fresh mindset to build a trust-based, taxpayer-friendly administration.

ITR filing is not only based on income. High-value transactions like foreign travel, large deposits, or foreign assets can make filing mandatory even below ₹2.5 lakh. Check your obligations to stay compliant and avoid notices.

The Income-tax Rules, 2026 raise the tax-free meal voucher ceiling from Rs 50 to Rs 200 per meal, expected under both old and new regimes from 1 April 2026. Two meals over 22 working days is roughly Rs 1.05 lakh a year, with conditions, payroll restructuring, and common errors.

Per CBDT's 9 March 2026 release, the IT Department analysed 1.77 lakh restaurants, surveyed 62 across 46 cities on 8 March 2026, and is sending SAKSHAM NUDGE advisories to 63,000 restaurants asking them to file Section 139(8A) updated returns before 31 March 2026.

The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 65-year-old IT Act, 1961 from 1st April 2026. Key changes: 536 sections (down from 819), unified Tax Year replacing PY/AY, TDS consolidated into Sections 392-393, 190 simplified forms, and Section 536 transition provisions.

Union Budget 2026 brings TDS/TCS rationalization, a special disclosure window for foreign assets, reduced MAT rates, and extended ITR deadlines. Complete analysis inside.

Understand when Form 15CA and 15CB are needed for foreign remittances, the four parts of 15CA, and exemptions under Rule 37BB.

Draft Rule 15 of the Income-tax Rules, 2026 raises the monthly car perquisite from Rs 1,800 to Rs 5,000 (up to 1.6 litre) and Rs 2,400 to Rs 7,000 (above 1.6 litre), with the driver component going from Rs 900 to Rs 3,000. Practitioner view of the math, EV uncertainty, and April payroll actions.