The Act: Complete Reference
INCOME TAX ACT 2025 — ACT NO. 30 OF 2025 — 659 PAGES — EFFECTIVE 1 APRIL 2026
The Act — Complete Reference
Chapter-wise index of the entire Income Tax Act 2025 — all 23 chapters, section ranges, key provisions, and links to detailed wiki pages where available. Use this as your starting point to navigate the Act.
23
Chapters
538
Sections
16
Schedules
659
Pages
How to use this page: Each row below represents a chapter or major part of the Act. Sections shown are the primary operative sections — not every sub-section. Where a detailed wiki page exists, click the link in the last column for full commentary, examples, and practical Q&A. Chapters without a dedicated page show key provisions in the notes column.
Part A — Charge, Scope & Computation of Income (Chapters I–VI)
| Chapter | Title | Sections | Key Provisions | Wiki Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter I | Preliminary | 1–2 | Short title · Extent · Commencement (1 April 2026) · Definitions (Sec 2) — 100+ defined terms including assessee, person, tax year, income | — |
| Chapter II | Basis of Charge | 3–10 | Tax year (Sec 3) · Charge of income-tax (Sec 4) · Residential status (Sec 6) · Deemed receipts (Sec 7) · Accrual / deemed accrual in India (Sec 9) · POEM (Sec 220) | — |
| Chapter III | Incomes Not Included in Total Income | 11–13 | Sec 11: exemptions via Schedules II–VIII (agricultural income, LIC receipts, PF, NPS, Sukanya, gratuity, HRA, LTA etc.) · Sec 12: political parties · Sec 13: expenditure against exempt income disallowed | Schedules → |
| Chapter IV | Computation of Total Income Parts A–F: all heads of income |
14–100 |
Part A — General (Sec 14): No deduction for expenditure against exempt income Part B — Salaries (Sec 15–19): Chargeability, perquisites, HRA, LTA, gratuity, standard deduction Part C — House Property (Sec 20–25): Annual value, 30% standard deduction, home loan interest Part D — Business & Profession (Sec 26–60): PGBP, deductions, depreciation, presumptive taxation Part E — Capital Gains (Sec 61–91): Transfer, computation, STCG 20%, LTCG 12.5%, exemptions Part F — Other Sources (Sec 92–95): Dividends, interest, online game winnings, family pension, gifts |
Salary → House Prop → Business → Cap Gains → |
| Chapter V | Income of Other Persons Included in Total Income | 96–100 | Clubbing of income — transfer without assets (Sec 96) · revocable transfer (Sec 97) · spouse, minor child, son's wife, HUF conversion (Sec 99) · liability of clubbed person (Sec 100) | Clubbing → |
| Chapter VI | Aggregation of Income & Set-off of Losses | 101–121 | Inter-head set-off · intra-head set-off · carry forward (8 years for business losses, 4 years for HP) · losses in amalgamation / demerger · 51% continuity rule for companies · speculation losses | Set-off → |
Part B — Deductions, Relief & Special Provisions (Chapters VII–XII)
| Chapter | Title | Sections | Key Provisions | Wiki Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter VII | Deductions in Computing Total Income | 122–154 |
Part A: Sec 122 (gross total income) · Sec 123 (80C equivalent — LIC, PF, ELSS, ₹1.5L) · Sec 124 (NPS — employee 10%, employer 14%) · Sec 126 (health insurance) · Sec 127 (disabled dependent) · Sec 128 (specified disease) · Sec 129 (education loan) · Sec 130 (EV loan) Part B: Sec 133 (donations to specified funds — 50%/100%) · Sec 135 (scientific research) Part C: Sec 138 (infrastructure) · Sec 140 (profit-linked — Section 80-IC, 80-IE equivalent) · Sec 144 (SEZ units) · Sec 145 (startups — 3-of-7 years) Part D: Sec 146 (employment of new employees) · Sec 147 (IFSC) Part E: Sec 150–154 (persons with disability) |
Overview → Part B → Part C → |
| Chapter VIII | Rebates and Relief | 155–158 | Sec 156 (rebate — 87A equivalent: ₹60,000 rebate for income ≤₹12L under new regime; ₹12,500 old regime ≤₹5L) · Sec 157 (relief for salary/pension arrears — spreading computation) · Sec 158 (retirement benefit account in notified country) | Tax Rates → |
| Chapter IX | Double Taxation Relief | 159–160 | Sec 159 (DTAA — bilateral tax treaties with foreign countries and specified territories; MAP; exchange of information) · Sec 160 (unilateral relief — credit for foreign tax paid in non-treaty countries) | — |
| Chapter X | Transfer Pricing & International Tax | 161–177 | ALP (Sec 161) · Associated enterprise ≥26% (Sec 162) · International transaction (Sec 163) · SDT >₹20Cr (Sec 164) · ALP methods CUP/RPM/CPM/PSM/TNMM (Sec 165) · TPO (Sec 166) · Safe harbour (Sec 167) · APA 5yr + 4yr rollback (Sec 168) · Secondary adjustment ₹1Cr (Sec 170) · BEPS interest cap 30% EBITDA (Sec 177) | Transfer Pricing → |
| Chapter XI | General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) | 178–183 | Sec 178 (impermissible avoidance arrangement — declared by tax authority) · Sec 179 (lack of commercial substance) · Sec 180 (consequences — deny treaty benefits, recharacterise, disregard arrangement) · Sec 183 (application threshold — tax benefit >₹3Cr) | — |
| Chapter XII | Special Provisions — Cash Transactions | 184–189 | Sec 186 (no cash receipt ≥₹2L — 100% penalty) · Sec 187 (mandatory electronic payment acceptance for businesses) · Sec 188 (no cash repayment of loans ≥₹20,000) · Sec 189 (definitions) | — |
Part C — Tax Rates, Administration & Assessment (Chapters XIII–XVII)
| Chapter | Title | Sections | Key Provisions | Wiki Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter XIII | Tax Computation | 190–235 | Sec 192 (undisclosed income — 60%) · Sec 194 (winnings, royalty, online games — special rates) · Sec 195 (undisclosed income tax) · Sec 196 (STCG on equity — 20%) · Sec 197 (LTCG — 12.5%) · Sec 198 (LTCG on equity — ₹1.25L exempt then 12.5%) · Sec 199–201 (corporate tax — 15%/22%/25%) · Sec 202 (new regime individuals/HUF) · Sec 203 (co-operative society 22%) · Sec 206 (MAT 15%) · Sec 212–218 (non-resident Indians special scheme) · Sec 224–234 (tonnage tax) | Tax Rates → |
| Chapter XIV | Tax Administration | 236–261 | Sec 237 (appointment of IT authorities) · Sec 239 (CBDT — Board powers, instructions, directions) · Sec 241 (jurisdiction) · Sec 246 (powers of survey, inquiry) · Sec 247 (search and seizure) · Sec 252 (examination of persons) · Sec 253 (survey) · Sec 260 (information from foreign governments) | — |
| Chapter XV | Return of Income | 262–267 | Sec 263 (who must file; due dates 31 Jul/31 Oct; belated — 9 months; revised — 9 months; updated ITR-U — 48 months with 25%–70% extra tax) · Sec 265 (verification) · Sec 266 (self-assessment) · Sec 267 (tax on updated return) | Assessment → |
| Chapter XVI | Procedure for Assessment | 268–296 | Sec 268 (inquiry before assessment) · Sec 270 (processing, intimation, scrutiny) · Sec 271 (best judgment) · Sec 272 (JC directions) · Sec 273 (faceless assessment) · Sec 275 (DRP) · Sec 279 (income escaping assessment) · Sec 280–281 (reassessment notice — mandatory SCN) · Sec 282 (time limits: 4 yr / 6 yr for ≥₹50L) | Assessment → |
| Chapter XVII | Special Provisions — Certain Persons | 297–355 | Sec 297–303 (firms — assessment, partner taxation) · Sec 304–312 (non-residents — representative assessee, agent, shipping / aircraft income) · Sec 316–326 (trusts, charitable institutions, NPOs — registration, accumulation, violations) · Sec 327–340 (political parties) · Sec 341 (electoral trusts) · Sec 342–355 (POEM, foreign companies deemed resident) | — |
Part D — Appeals, Collection, Penalties & Miscellaneous (Chapters XVIII–XXIII)
| Chapter | Title | Sections | Key Provisions | Wiki Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter XVIII | Appeals, Revisions & Dispute Resolution | 356–392 | Sec 356 (JC(A) appeals) · Sec 357 (CIT(A) — 30 days, fees ₹250–₹1,000) · Sec 360 (powers: confirm/reduce/enhance/annul) · Sec 362 (ITAT — 2 months, ₹500–1% income) · Sec 363 (stay — 180 days/365 days max, 20% deposit) · Sec 365 (HC — substantial question of law, 120 days) · Sec 367 (SC) · Sec 377 (revision — prejudicial to revenue, 2 years) · Sec 378 (revision — assessee application) · Sec 379 (DRC — ≤₹10L variation, ≤₹50L income) · Sec 381–389 (Board for Advance Rulings — 6 months, appeal to HC within 60 days) | Appeals → |
| Chapter XIX | Collection & Recovery of Tax Parts A–F: TDS, TCS, advance tax, interest, fee |
390–432 |
Part B — TDS/TCS (Sec 391–399): TDS on salary (Sec 392), all payments (Sec 393), TCS (Sec 394), lower deduction certificate (Sec 395), TDS compliance (Sec 397–399) Part C — Advance Tax (Sec 403–410): Liability (≥₹10,000), instalments (15 Jun/Sep/Dec/Mar), senior citizen exemption, presumptive single instalment Part E — Interest (Sec 423–426): Late return (1%/month), advance tax default (1%/month), deferment (3%/1%), excess refund (0.5%/month) Part F — Fee (Sec 427–432): Late filing fee, TDS statement fee |
TDS/TCS → Advance Tax → |
| Chapter XX | Refunds | 433–440 | Sec 437 (refund claim — 1 year from last day of assessment year) · Sec 438 (interest on refund — 0.5%/month from 1 April or date of payment) · Sec 439 (withholding of refund pending proceedings) · Sec 440 (set-off of refund against demand) | — |
| Chapter XXI | Penalties | 428–432 & 441–442 | Sec 428 (late filing fee — ₹5,000 / ₹1,000 if income ≤₹5L) · Sec 429 (TDS statement late fee — ₹200/day) · Sec 431 (TP report failure — 2% of transaction value) · Sec 434 (CbCR non-filing — ₹5,000/day) · Sec 441 (under-reporting of income — 50% of tax) · Sec 442 (misreporting — 200% of tax) · Sec 443 (search cases — 10%–300%) | — |
| Chapter XXII | Offences & Prosecution | 451–472 | Sec 451 (wilful attempt to evade tax — 6 months to 7 years imprisonment) · Sec 454 (failure to pay TDS — 3 months to 7 years) · Sec 456 (false statement — 6 months to 7 years) · Sec 458 (abetment) · Sec 468 (compounding of offences) · Sec 469 (offences by companies — liability of directors) | — |
| Chapter XXIII | Miscellaneous | 473–538 | Sec 493 (agreement with foreign institutions for data sharing) · Sec 501 (CBDT power to issue guidelines) · Sec 505 (faceless scheme — any proceedings can be made faceless by Board) · Sec 511 (Country-by-Country Report — CbCR) · Sec 515 (authorised representatives — who can represent before IT authorities) · Sec 529 (rectification of mistakes) · Sec 531 (rule-making power) · Sec 534 (notification and laying before Parliament) · Sec 536 (repeal of Income Tax Act 1961) · Sec 538 (savings) | — |
Schedules (I–XVI) — Pages 617–659
| Schedule | Section | Subject Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule I | Sec 9(12) | Conditions for eligible investment fund — no business connection in India |
| Schedule II | Sec 11 | Incomes not included in total income (general) — agricultural income, LIC proceeds, PF balance, NPS closure, Sukanya Samriddhi, approved superannuation |
| Schedule III | Sec 11 | Incomes not included for eligible persons — HUF member share, partner share, disaster compensation, NPS partial withdrawal, LTA (Sl. 8), HRA (Sl. 11), ₹1,500 minor child deduction (Sl. 17), gallantry award pension (Sl. 14–16) |
| Schedule IV | Sec 11 | Income not included for eligible non-residents — NRE account interest, diplomatic income, Offshore Banking Unit interest |
| Schedule V | Sec 11 | Income not included for investment funds, business trusts (REITs/InvITs) and unit holders |
| Schedule VI | Sec 11 | Income not included for persons in / from International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) |
| Schedule VII | Sec 11 | Persons fully exempt from income tax — President of India, Governors, UNO, foreign diplomats, mutual funds (registered), charitable institutions, SEBI, RBI, specified statutory bodies |
| Schedule VIII | Sec 12 | Income not included for political parties and electoral trusts |
| Schedule IX | Sec 48 | Depreciation rates for tangible assets (buildings, plant & machinery, furniture, ships, aircraft) and intangible assets |
| Schedule X | Sec 49 | Deduction for site restoration fund for petroleum and natural gas industry — lower of deposit or 20% of profits |
| Schedule XI | Sec 2(91) | Rules for recognised provident funds — contribution limits, interest caps (₹2.5L / ₹5L), withdrawal conditions, accumulated balance |
| Schedule XII | Sec 51 | List of minerals eligible for special deduction (aluminium, apatite, beryl, chrome, copper, gold, iron ore etc.) |
| Schedule XIII | Sec 45(2) | Articles / things attracting special depreciation rate — beer, wine, spirits, tobacco, cosmetics, toothpaste, soap |
| Schedule XIV | Sec 55 | Rates of tax for patents (royalty from resident — 10%) |
| Schedule XV | Sec 123 | Sums qualifying as deductions under Chapter VII Part A — LIC premia, PF contributions, ELSS, home loan principal, tuition fees, NSC, PPF, ULIP, pension plans (the 80C basket) |
| Schedule XVI | Sec 350 | Permitted modes of investment for registered non-profit organisations — government securities, bank deposits, post office savings, UTI units, approved debentures |
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Source: Income Tax Act 2025, Act No. 30 of 2025, published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated 21st August 2025. Effective 1st April 2026. Section numbers and page references based on the official notified text. This index is for navigation and reference only — always refer to the official Gazette for authoritative text. Assisted by Vijayarajan & Associates, Chartered Accountants, Kochi.