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Budget 2026 not headline-grabbing but fiscally prudent and growth-oriented
The Union Budget 2026-27 delivers fiscal prudence without sacrificing growth, keeping deficit consolidation on track while sustaining strong capex. Markets reacted cautiously to the STT hike, but measures on buybacks, PIS liberalisation, bond market development and support for sunrise sectors signal a steady, reform-oriented roadmap focused on long-term competitiveness.
Budget 2026 introduces a New Income Tax Act effective April 1, 2026, with staggered ITR filing deadlines and reduced TCS on overseas tour packages. A new Foreign Asset Disclosure Scheme offers regularization options for small taxpayers, while immunity from prosecution is extended for certain foreign non-immovable asset disclosures.
NRI professionals visiting India to get 5-year tax exemption on overseas income: Budget 2026
Union Budget 2026 introduces a significant tax benefit for overseas professionals visiting India. Non-residents will receive a five-year exemption on income earned outside India. This applies to those visiting under government-notified schemes. The tax-exempt status begins from their first visit for service rendering. This move aims to attract global talent by offering clear tax certainty.
Invested in overseas property? Know the tax rules after Budget 2026 will impact you
All foreign assets must be disclosed in Indian tax returns in the prescribed manner. Non-disclosure of foreign assets can trigger implications under the Black Money Act, 2015, including substantial fines and prosecution. Rental income, whether earned in India or overseas, is taxable in India for tax residents.
HRA vs housing loan; which one saves you more income tax after Budget 2026?
Let us understand which out of HRA and home loan can save you more tax after Budget 2026. House Rent Allowance (HRA) is a tax break which salaried taxpayers usually receive, and its one of the few exemptions without a maximum limit.
11 equity mutual funds turn Rs 10,000 monthly SIP to over Rs 1.50 crore in 20 years. Do you own any?
Around 11 equity mutual funds have transformed a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into over Rs 1.50 crore in the last two decades. ICICI Prudential Value Fund led the pack, growing a Rs 10,000 SIP to Rs 1.83 crore. Many mid-cap and small-cap funds also delivered substantial returns.
Machine brewed coffee in office canteen or cafe may get costlier after Budget 2026
The Budget has withdrawn existing duty concessions on imported coffee roasting, brewing and vending machines. Industry executives said the change in customs duty comes amid pressure from currency movements.
The Budget document proposes a specific exemption for disability pension paid to members of the armed forces, including paramilitary forces, covering both the service and disability components, provided the individual has been invalided out of service due to a bodily disability attributable to, or aggravated by, military, naval or air force service.
SBI Life Share Price Live Updates: SBI Life experiences a decline in returns
SBI Share Price Live Updates: SBI's One-Month Return
Divis Labs Share Price Live Updates: Divis Labs Trading Update
Tata Consumer Share Price Live Updates: Tata Consumer's stock rises amid market fluctuations
Titan Company Share Price Live Updates: Titan Company sees negative returns in the last month
Cipla Share Price Live Updates: Cipla's returns take a hit
HCL Tech Share Price Live Updates: HCL Tech's monthly return reflects investor confidence
HDFC Bank Share Price Live Updates: HDFC Bank reports a significant drop in monthly returns
Bajaj Auto Share Price Live Updates: ICICI Securities Sets New Target for Bajaj Auto
A taxpayer has won a significant victory in the Bombay High Court. The court allowed the set-off of short-term capital loss against long-term capital gains. The tax department's addition of Rs 5.43 crore as unexplained cash credit and undisclosed long-term capital gains was deleted. The High Court emphasized consistency, noting similar relief granted to the taxpayer's father and brother.
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Mumbai has ruled in favour of a taxpayer. The tribunal stated that the tax department must provide TDS credit shown in Form 26AS. This decision came after a taxpayer missed claiming Rs 73 lakh TDS due to seller's non-disclosure. The tribunal highlighted the department's statutory and constitutional duty to grant credit, even with procedural errors.
What is the fee for filing revised ITR by March 31 as announced in Budget 2026?
New rules allow taxpayers to file revised income tax returns until March 31 for a fee. This extension, effective from April 1, 2026, benefits individuals with international tax obligations. A fee of Rs 5,000 or Rs 1,000 applies based on taxable income. This change provides more time to correct errors in filed returns, addressing a long-standing taxpayer demand.
Union Budget 2026 introduces a new Income Tax Act from April 1, 2026, with simplified rules. Key changes include reduced TCS rates on overseas tour packages and LRS remittances for education/medical. The deadline for revised ITR filing is extended, and PAN-based TDS for NRI property sales is implemented. Share buybacks will now be taxed as capital gains for all shareholders.
What are government securities & how do they work?
If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 88th part of this series, Riju Mehta explains how these debt instruments function.
Which asset class gave most returns in 10 years?
Welcome to TrendMap, your guide to the performance of different investment segments. In this edition, we present a 10-year performance tracker of various asset classes. By Sameer Bhardwaj.
Intrinsic value: Are you paying too much for stocks?
Understanding a stock's true worth beyond its market price is crucial for investors. Valuation helps identify undervalued opportunities, manage risk with a margin of safety, and allocate capital effectively. While short-term prices fluctuate, long-term trends show convergence with intrinsic value. Both absolute and relative valuation methods offer insights, but require careful analysis.
Dont get trapped by mis-sold insurance
Financial year-end targets fuel aggressive sales tactics in insurance. Customers are being sold policies they do not need, often through cold calls or bank relationships. This mis-selling is a growing concern, with many victims unaware of their rights or how to seek redressal. Regulators face challenges in curbing this pervasive practice.
Hidden risks of high-yield bonds
Defaults at GripInvest and other bond platforms expose how curated and secured labels are masking credit risks in high-yield bonds and loan pools being marketed to retail investors.
Weve realigned our equity strategy; SBI PF Head
SBI Pension Funds is launching the Swasthya Pension Scheme to build medical expenditure funds. Pranay Dwivedi highlights its flexibility and tax benefits. He also addresses the fund's equity performance, noting a strategic shift towards growth. Dwivedi emphasizes safety and consistency for subscribers. The NPS aims to increase adoption through digital channels and improved clarity.
How the new health-linked NPS account works
The National Pension System is piloting NPS Swasthya, a scheme to cover medical expenses. Subscribers can contribute to a dedicated account, with partial withdrawals available for medical needs. This initiative aims to provide a financial buffer for healthcare costs, complementing existing health insurance.
Privacy tokens: What delisting means for investors
India's crypto exchanges are delisting privacy tokens like Zcash and Dash following new AML/CFT rules. This forces investors to rebalance portfolios or face automatic liquidation into stablecoins. The move aims for safer markets and higher compliance, impacting taxation and investor exit strategies.
Why switching your home loan now pays off
The full benefit of RBIs 125 basis points rate cut last year is yet to flow evenly to non-bank borrowers or those with older benchmark-linked loans. Changing lenders or part prepayment may ease their woes.
Budget 2026 to have marginal impact on bond markets
As the transition to a debt-to-GDP regime starts, the figure is 56.1 per cent for the current fiscal and is expected to go down further to 55.6% in FY27
Union Budget 2026: Several hits, few misses in budget for Gulf NRI businesses
Indian businesses in the UAE and Gulf region largely welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27, commending initiatives like India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the SME Growth Fund. While some praised the focus on manufacturing and digital transformation, others called for greater emphasis on welfare schemes. The budget signals India's commitment to becoming a stable, policy-forward digital economy.
Not reporting crypto transaction will lead to daily penalty of 200
The proposed amendment seeks to rationalise the penal consequences under these provisions
Viksit Bharat banking reforms: Committee to suggest consolidation, regulations
The committee will examine reforms, consolidation, regulatory changes, and ownership patterns to strengthen banks and NBFCs for the next growth phase
Budget proposes penalties for crypto reporting lapses from April 2026
While compliance and surveillance have tightened, true growth requires economic rationalization to keep Web3 innovation and talent within India
The move to incentivise issuance of municipal bonds of higher value by large cities comes in the wake of Reserve Bank of Indias own effort to breathe new life into these bonds
The Finance Bill 2026 introduces retrospective amendments to the Income-tax Act, 1961, addressing key court rulings. These changes clarify time limits for transfer pricing assessments, validate the jurisdiction of Jurisdictional Assessing Officers for reassessment notices, and protect assessment orders from invalidity due to DIN quoting errors, effective from 2009 and 2021 respectively.
Any mistake in the Income tax order will not nullify provided it contains DIN, says Budget 2026
Budget 2026 clarifies that assessment orders under the Income Tax Act will not be invalidated due to mistakes or omissions if a Document Identification Number (DIN) is lawfully generated and quoted.
The Union Budget proposes to restrict capital gains tax exemption on Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) to individuals who subscribe at original issue and hold until maturity. This change, impacting secondary market buyers, aims to align tax benefits with the initial investment scheme and incentivize long-term participation.
Marginal relief offers a tax benefit for resident individuals in the new regime with income just over Rs 12 lakh. This provision ensures their tax payable doesn't exceed the income earned above the Rs 12 lakh threshold, effectively capping their tax liability. For instance, an income of Rs 12.10 lakh results in a tax of only Rs 10,000.
Income tax budget 2026 highlights: From tax relief to tax reforms - how individuals will be impacted
The Budget adopts a measured approach to personal taxation, prioritising structural improvements over immediate tax relief. Through legislative overhaul, procedural simplification and enforcement rationalisation, the Budget lays the groundwork for a more predictable and citizen-friendly tax framework for individuals.
Budget 2026: Now save TDS by submitting single form 15G/H for these securities
Investors can now submit Form 15G/H directly to depositories to avoid excess TDS on dividend, interest from securities, and mutual fund income. This simplification, effective April 1, 2027, aims to reduce compliance burdens for eligible individuals and HUFs. The new rule allows a single submission for securities held in dematerialized form.
The Budget 2026 hike in Securities Transaction Tax is expected to reduce arbitrage fund returns by about 0.5% next year, according to Capitalminds Deepak Shenoy. While retail investors may see limited impact, arbitrage funds and foreign portfolio investors could face higher costs in futures trading.
Union Budget 2026: How experts decode this for mutual fund investors
The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget 2026 speech, announced to raise the STT on Futures to 0.05% from the present 0.02%. STT on options premium and exercise of options are both proposed to be raised to 0.15% from the present rate of 0.1% and 0.125%, respectively.
Senior Citizens and Budget 2026: How key proposals from Finance Minister can impact them
Budget 2026 introduces some reforms for senior citizens, including streamlined online customs declarations and duty exemptions on 17 cancer drugs and medicines for rare diseases. While no major new tax relief is announced, existing benefits like higher exemption limits and TDS thresholds remain. The Biopharma Shakti initiative aims to reduce long-term healthcare costs.
7 ways income tax filing will be impacted after Budget 2026
Budget 2026 introduces significant changes to income tax filing from April 1, 2026. Revised ITR forms will simplify compliance. The deadline for revised ITR filing moves to March 31. Share buybacks will be treated as capital gains for most shareholders. Updated returns for losses will be permitted. A new automated process for nil deduction certificates is coming.
Latest capital gains tax rate for equity, gold, mutual funds for FY2026-2027 after Budget 2026
While it was hoped that Budget 2026 clarifies the tax position for debt mutual funds by taxing them at a special rate instead of slab rate, this did not happen. So the capital gains tax rate as applicable last year is now applicable the same for FY 2026-27.
Section 440 of the new Income Tax Act, 2025, is being amended to extend immunity from penalties and prosecution to cases involving income misreporting. This change, effective April 1, 2026, requires taxpayers to pay an additional income-tax of 100% or 120% in lieu of penalties, aiming to reduce litigation and compliance burdens.
Budget 2026 introduces penalties for crypto exchanges failing to accurately report transactions. A Rs. 200 per day penalty will be levied for non-furnishing statements, while Rs. 50,000 will be charged for inaccurate information or failure to correct it. These provisions aim to ensure compliance and deter non-reporting, taking effect from April 1, 2026.
14 personal finance highlights impacting middle-class taxpayers in FY26-27 from Budget 2026
Budget 2026 introduces significant relief for salaried and middle-class taxpayers, including a new simplified Income Tax Act and automated NIL deduction certificates. Key changes also encompass tax exemptions on motor accident claims, rationalized TCS rates, and an extended deadline for revised ITR filings, aiming to ease compliance and financial burdens.
Budget 2026 brings key changes for taxpayers. The income tax return correction window extends to March 31. TDS and TCS rules are simplified, easing compliance and cash flow. Litigation and penalties are softened with reduced pre-deposits. Corporate tax sees MAT reduction and STT increases. A foreign asset disclosure window offers a compliance route for small taxpayers.
Taxpayers can now assess the break-even points for the old and new tax regimes. The Union Budget 2026 has confirmed both systems will continue. This analysis helps individuals decide which tax structure offers greater savings based on available deductions. Understanding these points is crucial for optimizing tax liability for Assessment Year 2027-28.
Income tax slabs unchanged in Budget 2026; no extra relief for taxpayers
Union Budget 2026:Standard Deduction Raised to Rs 75,000, Basic Exemption Limit Remains the Same
Most anticipated change in Budget 2026 was change in Section 87A tax rebate. Currently Section 87A tax rebate depends on the chosen tax regime. The new income tax regime offers Section 87A tax rebate of up to Rs 60,000 which makes zero tax for income up to Rs 12 lakh. Similary under old tax regime offers 87A tax rebate up to Rs 5 lakh income. This rebate is exclusively for resident individuals, excluding HUFs, NRIs, companies, and super senior citizens. Certain capital gains and incomes taxed at special rates are ineligible for this rebate.
Have capital gains tax exemption rules for debt mutual funds changed in Budget 2026?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2026 speech brought no changes to debt mutual fund taxation, maintaining taxation at slab rates. Recent amendments, particularly from Budget 2024, reduced the holding period for long-term capital gains from 36 months to 24 months for specified debt funds, impacting tax outgo for higher tax brackets.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2026 proposes a 50% reduction in import tariff rates for personal goods, from 20% to 10%. This change aims to rationalize customs duties, potentially saving consumers significant amounts on imported items. An example calculation shows a substantial decrease in total duties and taxes for an imported air conditioner.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2026 maintained existing taxation rules for gold and silver investments, with no changes announced for capital gains. The budget confirmed that GST and capital gains tax structures for physical, digital, ETFs, and mutual funds remain as previously established.
Did NPS subscriber get tax deduction on additional 20% contribution (from 60% to 80%)?
NPS subscribers hoping for an 80% tax-free lump sum withdrawal will have to wait. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2026 speech on February 1, 2026, did not announce an increase from the current 60% limit for non-government subscribers. This means 20% of the NPS corpus may still be taxable upon withdrawal.
Union Budget 2026: Share buybacks to be taxed as capital gains for all investors
Union Budget 2026: New tax rule changes how investors earn from buybacks.
Has government provided NPS tax benefit on self-contribution in new tax regime?
NPS subscribers hoping for more tax benefits from Budget 2026 were disappointed. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech on February 1, 2026, offered no new tax advantages. The new tax regime only allows tax benefits on employer contributions to NPS. Individual and self-contributions receive no tax relief under this regime.
Union Budget 2026 will allow Non-Resident Indians to invest in Indian equities via the Portfolio Investment Scheme, increasing individual limits to 10% and overall PROI limits to 24%. This move is expected to significantly impact equity markets, while AIFs and REITs are unlikely to be affected due to their existing tax advantages.
Union Budget 2026: Has government made any changes to the Ayushman Bharat scheme? Check details here
All senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive continue to receive health coverage up to Rs 5 lakh annually. This benefit is available irrespective of income. Aadhaar is mandatory for enrollment. Eligible individuals can apply online or via the Ayushman App.
Budget 2026 maintains the PM Kisan beneficiary amount at Rs 6,000 annually. This financial aid is disbursed in three Rs 2,000 installments. Farmers can check their status online and complete mandatory eKYC. Several reasons can lead to rejection, including duplicate names and incomplete KYC. Certain categories like income tax payers are ineligible.
The Black Money Act, 2015, imposes penalties and prosecution for wilful non-disclosure of foreign income and assets. Amendments are proposed to sections 49 and 50 to exempt minor and inadvertent non-disclosures from prosecution, aligning them with the existing penalty framework.
UPI transactions hit record high of 28.33 lakh crore in January
On a month-on-month basis, the growth was 21% in value terms
Has Standard Deduction for FY 2026-27 for salaried employees changed in Budget 2026?
The Finance Minister maintained the standard deduction at Rs 75,000 for salaried individuals and pensioners under the new tax regime in Budget 2026. This deduction, available without proof, reduces taxable income, making individuals earning up to Rs 12.75 lakh tax-free due to the Section 87A rebate.
Union Budget 2026 proposes to tax buy-back for all types of shareholders as capital gains. However, to disincentivize this use of tax arbitrage, promoters will pay an additional buyback tax. As a result, this will make the effective tax 22% for corporate promoters. For non-corporate promoters, the effective tax will be 30%.
Union Budget 2026 highlights the new tax regime's advantage for salaried individuals. Lower tax rates under the new system offer significant savings compared to the old regime. While the old tax regime remains for specific cases like housing loan interest, the new regime is becoming the mainstream. This shift focuses on simplicity and reduced tax liability for most taxpayers.
Income Tax Slabs FY 2026-27 New Regime vs Old: The Finance Minister unveiled the Union Budget 2026. However, salaried and middle class looked for any relief in the income tax slabs for the upcoming financial year 2026-27. Currently, the highest tax rate of 30% is applicable if the taxable income exceeds Rs 24 lakh and income is exempted up to Rs 4 lakh in financial year in the new tax regime.
Prepayment quantum is reduced to 10% on core tax demand to curb litigation. Taxpayers can now update returns even after reassessment begins, with an additional 10% tax. Assessing officers will solely use these updated returns, building on existing immunity frameworks for underreporting.
Big change for NRIs in Budget 2026: Simplification in property sale transactions
Tax Deducted At Source (TDS) process is being simplified for NRI property sellers.
Revised ITR deadline extended with a penalty in Budget 2026
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed extending the deadline for revising income tax returns from December 31 to March 31, allowing for a nominal fee. This change aims to address issues faced by taxpayers, particularly those with foreign income, by better aligning Indian tax timelines with global practices and reducing disputes.
Nil deduction certificate for small taxpayers, announced in Budget 2026
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a new scheme for small taxpayers. This initiative will allow them to get lower or nil tax deduction certificates through an automated process. The Income Tax Department will manage this rule-based system. This aims to ease the process for taxpayers holding securities in multiple companies.
Union Budget 2026 has proposed that any interest awarded by the Motor Accident ClaimsTribunal to a natural person will be exempt from income tax for the financial year 2026-2027.
One time undisclosed foreign income disclosure scheme announced in Budget 2026 for these taxpayers
A new scheme will allow small taxpayers to declare undeclared foreign assets. This one-time offer covers income or assets up to one crore rupees. Those eligible will pay 30% of the fair market value or undisclosed income. This payment includes tax and penalty. Participants will gain immunity from prosecution.
Lower TCS on overseas tour package, education and medical purposes
Significant tax relief is on the horizon for overseas travel, education, and medical expenses. The government plans to slash the TCS rate on tour packages to a flat 2%, removing existing thresholds. Furthermore, remittances for education and medical needs under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme will also see a reduction to 2%.
Has Budget 2026 done anything to move taxpayers to new income tax regime?
Middle-class taxpayers hoping for tax relief in Budget 2026 were left wanting, as no new concessions were announced. Existing benefits under the new tax regime, including a Rs 75,000 standard deduction and employer NPS contributions, remain. Key expectations like increased standard deduction and higher home loan interest deductions were unmet, leaving many disappointed.
DA, DR hike for employees and pensioners: Central government employees and pensioners are set to receive a 2% Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) hike each in January 2026, bringing the total to 60%. This adjustment is based on the December 2025 All India Consumer Price Index-Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) data. The government may announce this hike in March 2026.
A man who sold agricultural land for Rs 5 crore and reinvested the gains into a new plot in his wife's name was denied capital gains tax exemption under Section 54B. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Delhi upheld this denial, citing a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling that disallows deductions when the new land isn't purchased in the assessee's own name.
A man who sold agricultural land for Rs 5 crore and reinvested the gains into a new plot in his wife's name was denied capital gains tax exemption under Section 54B. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Delhi upheld this denial, citing a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling that disallows deductions when the new land isn't purchased in the assessee's own name.
Indias largest Bank has placed capital requirements for the eight identified sunrise sectors at about 100 lakh crore over the next five years
Level playing field needed between bank deposits and other financial instruments, says SBI Chief
As on January 26, 2026, the y-o-y deposit growth of all scheduled banks at 10.61% was 237 basis points lower than credit growth of 12.98%
ESAF Small Finance Bank posts 7 crore net profit in Q3 FY26
The total business stood at 44,686 crore as of December 31, 2025, registering a year-on-year growth of 10%
From Digital to Intelligent: Indias Tax Confidence Takes the AI Leap
While Budget 2026 may further accelerate Indias AI journey, Tax leaders can stay ahead to turn Tax complexity into insights, clarity and control
DA for central government employees is likely to rise to 60 per cent from January 2026, while attention now shifts to Union Budget signals on the 8th Pay Commission rollout. Over 1.1 crore employees and pensioners await clarity on future salary and pension revisions.
Gold & Silver ETFs fall sharply as dollar rises: What should investors do?
Gold and silver ETFs experienced a sharp decline following a significant selloff in precious metals, with spot gold falling 5.4% and silver dropping 10.7%. This correction was attributed to a strengthening US dollar and profit-booking after a strong January rally. Experts advise caution due to near-term volatility but maintain a bullish long-term outlook.
Top 5 smallcap mutual funds offer up to 27% annualised return in 3 years
Top smallcap mutual funds delivered strong three-year returns of up to 27%, led by Bandhan Small Cap Fund. Passive small cap index funds and actively managed schemes dominated the top performers, while several established funds lagged with negative returns, highlighting wide divergence in small cap fund performance.
Mutual fund NFOs: 5 new funds will open for subscription this week. Check key details
Five new mutual fund NFOs are opening for subscription this week across ETFs, index funds, sectoral funds, and funds of funds. Offerings include defence, consumption, services, and multi-asset strategies from Mirae Asset, HDFC, Kotak, and DSP, giving investors fresh options across themes and risk profiles.
