Explore

The new tax regime has quietly killed the old PPF+NPS+ELSS tax-saving triangle — but not in the way most articles tell you. A SEBI-RIA's honest take on what each of these instruments is actually worth under FY 2026-27 rules, why employer NPS via Section 80CCD(2) is the one real tax break left, and why ELSS may no longer deserve automatic space in a new-regime portfolio.

Section 70(1A) of the CGST Act allows appearance by an authorised representative, but the discretion lies with the officer. A detailed look at when a CA can appear in GST summons proceedings, when personal attendance is effectively unavoidable, the CA vs advocate privilege distinction.

CBDT has notified the Income-tax Rules, 2026 under the Income-tax Act, 2025, effective from 1 April 2026. The Rules consolidate 500-plus rules of the 1962 framework into 333, refresh perquisite valuations, widen the 50% HRA city list, restate stock exchange and dividend compliance conditions, and — together with the CBDT transition FAQ — establish a "no missing year, no overlap" handover, with FY 2025-26 compliance (returns, audits, appeals, revisions) continuing under the 1961 Act.

Per the CBDT press release of 9 March 2026, the Income Tax Department analysed transactional data of about 1.77 lakh F&B sector restaurants, surveyed 62 establishments across 46 cities in 22 States on 8 March 2026, and is sending phase-1 advisory communications to around 63,000 restaurants under the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign asking them to file updated returns under Section 139(8A) before 31 March 2026. A practitioner's view of the aggregator/UPI/GST data triangulation, the Section 9(5) CGST treatment of restaurant services through ECOs, the legal machinery under Sections 148/148A/270A/271AAC, and what restaurant owners should do before a formal notice lands.

TDS under Section 194C applies at 1% or 2% on contractor payments exceeding Rs 30,000 per transaction or Rs 1 lakh per year.

MCA allows DIR-3 KYC filing once every 3 years from 2026, reducing compliance burden for directors.

MCA amends DIR-3 KYC via G.S.R. 943(E) dated 31.12.2025, effective 31.03.2026. Annual filing replaced with once-in-three-years cycle. Two forms merged into single DIR-3 KYC Web (OTP-based). 30-day update rule for changes. Next deadline: 30th June 2028.