Summary
The new Income-tax Act, 2025 starts from 1 April 2026. The Act is slimmer, with 536 sections versus 819 earlier. “Tax Year” replaces the older “Previous Year” language. Existing PAN and TAN remain valid, but fresh PAN forms change. Salary, audit, and remittance forms also change from April 2026. Epsilon offers income tax filing support for individuals and companies in Thane and Mumbai.
Introduction
According to the Income Tax Department, the new Act has 536 sections and 16 schedules, down from 819 sections and 14 schedules in the old law. That is a major simplification.
That kind of change creates confusion fast. Many taxpayers worry about what still applies, what changes, and which forms now matter. Salaried people, freelancers, and businesses all face the same risk.
This guide breaks the April 2026 changes into plain English. You will learn the key updates, filing impact, local Thane use cases, and how income tax return filing services in Thane can help you avoid mistakes.
What changed in Income Tax Rules 2026 from April?
The Income-tax Rules, 2026 were notified on 20 March 2026 and came into force on 1 April 2026. The new rules operationalise the Income-tax Act, 2025.
The practical goal is simple. The government wants a cleaner tax system, fewer duplicate references, and simpler compliance language. The department says the new law consolidates, renumbers, and streamlines the old structure.
| Key change | What it means | Why it matters |
| New Act starts | Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from 1 April 2026 | Fresh filings now follow the new framework |
| Smaller law | 536 sections, not 819 | Easier reading and fewer moving parts |
| New wording | Tax Year replaces Previous Year | Filing language becomes more consistent |
| New forms | PAN, salary, audit, remittance forms changed | Software and processes need updating |
For taxpayers in Thane, Mumbai, and nearby business centres, this means one thing. Your tax workflow should be updated before filing season begins. That includes payroll, TDS, PAN records, and return preparation.
How does the new tax year affect filing, residency, and old cases?
The shift from “Previous Year” to “Tax Year” is one of the most visible changes. The department says a tax year beginning on or after 1 April 2026 falls under the Income-tax Act, 2025. Years before that continue under the old law.
That means there is no overlap. Income earned in FY 2025-26 stays under the Income-tax Act, 1961. Income earned from FY 2026-27 onward follows the new Act.
Old law vs new law: what continues and what changes?
| Situation | Governing law | Practical result |
| FY 2025-26 income | Income-tax Act, 1961 | Old rules still apply |
| FY 2026-27 income | Income-tax Act, 2025 | New rules apply from April 2026 |
| Pending proceedings before 1 April 2026 | Old law continues | Old case law does not vanish overnight |
| Residential status for old years | Old law | Determined under section 6 of the 1961 Act |
This matters for notices, appeals, and reassessments too. The department says pending proceedings continue as if the new Act had not been enacted, where the tax year began before 1 April 2026.
For residents and NRIs in Thane who travel often, residency rules now split cleanly by tax year. That is useful, but it also means your records must match the correct year.
Which forms changed for PAN, salary, audit, and remittances?
The form changes are where many mistakes happen. They affect both individuals and businesses. The good news is that existing PAN and TAN numbers remain valid. Only fresh applications use the new forms.
| Area | Old form/framework | New form/framework | What to do now |
| PAN applications | Form 49A / 49AA | Forms 93, 94, 95, 96 | Use the new form set for fresh applications after 1 April 2026 |
| Salary TDS certificate | Older certificate structure | Form No. 130 | Employers should update payroll output and employee communication |
| Tax audit | Forms 3CA, 3CB, 3CD | Form No. 26 from tax year 2026-27 | Audit software and checklists need revision |
| Foreign remittance | Earlier Form 15CA/15CB flow | Forms 145 and 146 | Update remittance compliance workflows |
Form No. 130 is not just a renamed slip. It certifies salary TDS and also applies to specified senior citizens’ interest income. The department says it has three parts, which improves structured reporting.
Form No. 26 is equally important for businesses. The department says Forms 3CA, 3CB, and 3CD continue only up to assessment years relevant to 2026-27. From tax year 2026-27, tax audit must be furnished in Form No. 26.
For foreign remittances, the new framework also reduces duplication. The FAQs say Form 145 with an AO certificate can remove the need for Form 146 in some cases. That cuts cost and compliance load.
How do these changes affect taxpayers in Thane?
Thane has a dense mix of salaried employees, MSMEs, consultants, traders, and growing startups. That makes tax filing more than a year-end task. It becomes an ongoing compliance job. Epsilon Accounts Anusthan Fintech LLP positions itself as a Thane-based firm serving individuals and companies across Thane and Mumbai.
Their service pages specifically mention income tax filing for individuals and companies, corporate tax filing in Mumbai, TDS return filing in Thane, audit support, refund claims, and post-filing assistance. That is directly relevant to the new tax framework.
Which filing option works best in Thane?
| Option | Best for | Cost style | Risk level | Notes |
| DIY filing | Very simple salary returns | Lowest upfront cost | Higher error risk | Works only when income is straightforward |
| Online tax platform | Basic filing support | Medium | Medium | Good for simple, repeat filings |
| Local CA support in Thane | Salaried people, freelancers, SMEs | Quote-based | Lower | Better for notices, TDS, and local compliance |
If you live in Thane, Wagle Estate, or nearby Mumbai suburbs, local support helps with faster document exchange and better follow-up. Epsilon’s office is in Wagle Estate, Thane – 400604, and the firm highlights local expertise and end-to-end tax support.
This is especially useful for people handling salary income, rental income, capital gains, or business receipts. The new forms and new language are easier to manage when someone reviews them properly.
What should you do before filing your 2026 return?
Start with classification. First, check whether your income belongs to FY 2025-26 or FY 2026-27. That decides whether the old Act or the new Act applies. The transition guidance makes this split very clear.
Then update your filing inputs. Make sure your PAN records, employer data, TDS details, and remittance documents match the new framework. New PAN forms apply only to fresh applications, but existing numbers remain valid.
A simple preparation checklist
- Confirm the correct tax year first.
- Check whether your case needs Form 26, Form 130, or Form 145/146.
- Verify PAN and TAN data before filing.
- Reconcile salary, TDS, and employer records.
- Review any pending case or notice under the correct law.
For businesses in Thane, this is also the right time to update software templates and internal SOPs. Small errors in mapping can create bigger correction work later.
Talk to Epsilon Accounts Anusthan Fintech LLP if you want a local review before filing. Their pages position them for income tax filing, TDS return filing, audit support, and refund assistance in Thane and Mumbai.
Why choose Epsilon Accounts for income tax return filing services in Thane?
Epsilon Accounts Anusthan Fintech LLP presents itself as a trusted chartered accountant firm in Thane with over 25 years of combined experience across audit, taxation, accounts, and finance services. Its website also emphasises strong support, local expertise, and client-focused guidance.
That matters in the new tax environment. The April 2026 changes touch filing, certificates, audits, and remittances. A firm that handles all of these in one place can reduce friction.
What you get with professional filing support
- Accurate income classification
- Cleaner TDS reconciliation
- Better handling of notices and appeals
- Faster review of deductions and refunds
- Local support for Thane and Mumbai businesses
The firm’s income tax filing service page says it helps collect documents, calculate income, claim deductions, and file ITR online or offline. It also says the process is built for timely compliance and tax benefit maximisation.
That is exactly what many taxpayers need in 2026. New rules are not hard when reviewed properly. They are hard when handled late.
Schedule an appointment with Epsilon Accounts Anusthan Fintech LLP if you want support for ITR filing, TDS, audit, or tax transition work in Thane.
FAQs
What are the key income tax changes from April 2026?
The biggest changes are the new Income-tax Act, 2025, the new Income-tax Rules, 2026, the shift to “Tax Year”, and updated forms for PAN, salary certificates, tax audit, and remittances.
Does the new tax law apply to FY 2025-26?
No. FY 2025-26 continues under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The new law applies to tax years beginning on or after 1 April 2026.
Are old PAN numbers still valid after April 2026?
Yes. Existing PAN and TAN numbers remain valid. The new PAN forms apply only to fresh applications filed on or after 1 April 2026.
What is Form No. 26 in the new tax regime?
Form No. 26 is the new tax audit form. From tax year 2026-27, tax audit reports must be furnished in this format instead of Forms 3CA, 3CB, and 3CD.
Can Epsilon help with ITR filing in Thane?
Yes. Epsilon Accounts Anusthan Fintech LLP provides income tax filing services for individuals and companies in Thane and Mumbai, including document review, filing support, TDS work, and post-filing assistance.
Conclusion
April 2026 is a major compliance reset. The new Act, new rules, and new forms change how taxpayers file, report, and document income. The biggest lesson is simple. Match every filing to the correct tax year.
For individuals, that means cleaner salary and PAN records. For businesses, it means updated TDS, audit, and remittance systems. For people in Thane, local support can make the transition much easier.
If you want reliable income tax return filing services in Thane, Epsilon Accounts Anusthan Fintech LLP is positioned to help with filing, compliance, and notices. Book a demo, schedule an appointment, or talk to an expert today.
