- Applies to
- Businesses that deduct TDS (tax deducted at source), collect TCS (tax collected at source) or need a tax audit
- Effective from
- 1 April 2026
- Published
- 27 September 2026
The Income-tax Act, 2025 and the Income-tax Rules, 2026 came into force on 1 April 2026. The first tax year under them is 2026-27. Returns and tax audit reports for FY 2025-26, which is assessment year (AY) 2026-27, continue on the forms notified under the 1961 Act.
| Purpose | Old form | New form |
|---|---|---|
| Annual information statement | Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement (AIS) | Form 168 |
| TDS certificate for salary | Form 16 | Form 130 |
| TDS certificate for other payments | Form 16A | Form 131 |
| TCS certificate | Form 27D | Form 133 |
| Quarterly TDS statement: salary | Form 24Q | Form 138 |
| Quarterly TDS statement: other payments to residents | Form 26Q | Form 140 |
| Quarterly TDS statement: payments to non-residents | Form 27Q | Form 144 |
| Quarterly TCS statement | Form 27EQ | Form 143 |
| Tax audit report | Forms 3CA, 3CB and 3CD | Form 26 |
Quarterly TDS statements, and TCS statements in Form 143, are due under the new rules by the dates below (Rule 219).
| Quarter | Due by |
|---|---|
| April to June | 31 July |
| July to September | 31 October |
| October to December | 31 January |
| January to March | 31 May |
Each of the new forms has an entry in our glossary.
Sources
- CBDT press release: Income-tax Act, 2025 comes into force
- Guide to forms under the Income-tax Act, 2025, Income Tax Department
- Form 138 (TDS statement for salary) FAQs, Income Tax Department
- Form 26 (tax audit report) FAQs, Income Tax Department
This update is for general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional before acting on it.