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Income-tax Act, 2025 — Full Study Guide Hub

The complete Income-tax Act, 2025 series: all 23 chapters and the Schedules — bare provisions first, then a plain-language decode, worked examples, exceptions and professional/exam-oriented cases for every section, reviewed for Tax Year 2026-27 (the first year the new Act applies from 1 April 2026).

Chapters I–XXIII (Sections, decoded section by section)

Chapter I - Preliminary, Definitions & Rules

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter I explained: sections 1-3, all 112 definitions, Rules 1-7, Finance Act 2026 change…
Chapter II — Basis of Charge

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter II explained: sections 4-10, residence, scope, deemed accrual, SEP, indirect trans…
Chapter III - Exempt Income

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter III explained: Sections 11-12, Schedules II-VIII, Rules 277-289, old Act mapping, …
Chapter IV - Computation of Total Income

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter IV explained: Sections 13-95, Schedules IX-XIV, related Rules, old Act mapping, ex…
Chapter V - Clubbing of Income

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter V explained: Sections 96-100, clubbing of spouse and minor income, revocable trans…
Chapter VI - Aggregation of Income

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter VI explained: Sections 101-107, unexplained credits, investments, assets, expendit…
Chapter VII - Set Off and Carry Forward of Losses

Full Chapter VII bare text, Rule 60, Form 29, simple explanations, examples, old Act comparison, case studies …
Chapter VIII - Deductions from Gross Total Income

Full Chapter VIII bare text, Schedule XV, Rules 61-72, simple explanations, examples, old Act comparison, case…
Chapter IX - Rebates and Reliefs

Chapter IX of the Income-tax Act, 2025: sections 155 to 160, Rules 73 to 76, Forms 39 to 45, rebate, salary ar…
Chapter X - Special Provisions Relating to Avoidance of Tax

Chapter X of the Income-tax Act, 2025: sections 161 to 177 and connected Rules 77 to 126, transfer pricing, AP…
Chapter XI - General Anti-Avoidance Rule

Chapter XI of the Income-tax Act, 2025: sections 178 to 184, Rules 127 to 132, Forms 62 to 64 and connected se…
Chapter XII - Mode of Payment in Certain Cases

Chapter XII of the Income-tax Act, 2025: sections 185 to 189, Rules 48 and 133, penalties, tax-audit controls …
Chapter XIII - Determination of Tax in Special Cases

Income-tax Act, 2025 study guide: Chapter XIII - Determination of Tax in Special Cases — bare provisions, curr…
Chapter XIV - Tax Administration

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter XIV, sections 236-261, connected Rules, Forms, examples, Q&A and checklists.
Chapter XV - Return of Income

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter XV, sections 262-267, connected Rules, Forms, examples, Q&A and checklists.
Chapter XVI - Procedure for Assessment

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter XVI, sections 268-301, connected Rules, Forms, examples, Q&A and checklists.
Chapter XVII - Special Provisions Relating to Certain Persons

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter XVII, sections 302-355, connected Rules, Forms, examples, Q&A and checklists.
Chapter XVIII - Appeals, Revisions and Alternate Dispute Resolutions

Income-tax Act 2025 Chapter XVIII, sections 356-389, connected Rules, Forms, examples, Q&A and checklists.
Chapter XIX - Collection and Recovery of Tax

Income-tax Act, 2025 study guide: Chapter XIX - Collection and Recovery of Tax — bare provisions, current rule…
Chapter XX - Refunds

Income-tax Act, 2025 study guide: Chapter XX - Refunds — bare provisions, current rules, plain-language decode…
Chapter XXI - Penalties

Income-tax Act, 2025 study guide: Chapter XXI - Penalties — bare provisions, current rules, plain-language dec…
Chapter XXII - Offences and Prosecution

Income-tax Act, 2025 study guide: Chapter XXII - Offences and Prosecution — bare provisions, current rules, pl…
Chapter XXIII - Miscellaneous

Income-tax Act, 2025 study guide: Chapter XXIII - Miscellaneous — bare provisions, current rules, plain-langua…

Schedules

Schedules I-XVI

Income-tax Act, 2025 study guide: Schedules I-XVI — bare provisions, current rules, plain-language decode, exa…

How to Use This Series

  • Start with the chapter covering your question, then check whether a connected Rule or Schedule changes the computation or compliance step
  • Where a section maps to an old Income-tax Act, 1961 provision, cross-check the practical "what changed" articles on this site before relying on the new section number alone
  • Always confirm the applicable Tax Year — most of this Act applies from Tax Year 2026-27 (FY 2026-27), but transition and pending-case provisions can still reference 1961 Act timelines
  • Use the Schedules for rate, format and threshold tables rather than re-deriving them from the chapter text alone
  • Treat this as an educational and professional reference — the notified text, CBDT rules and entity facts control the final legal/tax conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Income-tax Act, 2025 already in force? ▼
Yes, it has received assent and most provisions take effect for Tax Year 2026-27 (financial year 2026-27, assessment year 2027-28) onward, replacing the Income-tax Act, 1961. Always check the specific commencement/effective date for a provision before relying on it for an earlier period.
Is this the bare Act or a summary? ▼
Both. Each guide places the operative section text first, then a simple-language decode and a practical example, so you can verify against the bare provision and still get the plain-English meaning in the same place.
Who is this series for? ▼
Chartered accountants, tax consultants, finance and compliance teams, and taxpayers who need section-by-section depth rather than a short practical checklist.

New Act 2025 — Rates, Rules & Transition

Agricultural Income Rate Integration Under Income-tax Act 2025: Rules, Limits and Worked Examples

How agricultural income integrates with non-agricultural income for rate purposes under the Income-tax Act 202
Corporate Tax Rate Options Under Income-tax Act 2025: Notice Triggers, Response Strategy and Penalties

Complete guide to corporate tax rate options under Income-tax Act 2025 — 22% concessional rate (Section 115BAA
Employer Payroll Declaration Forms Under New Act: Complete Guide for 2026

Complete guide for employers on payroll declaration forms under the Income-tax Act 2025 — Form 124 (old Form 1
Income-tax Act 1961 vs 2025 Survival Clauses Explained: FAQ for Founders, CFOs and Individuals

The Income-tax Act 1961 was replaced by the Income-tax Act 2025 from 1 April 2026. Which law governs your old

Income-tax Rules 2026 for Practitioners and Finance Teams: Documents, Forms and Filing Workflow

Income-tax Rules 2026 replace the old 1962 Rules from 1 April 2026. New rule numbers, form names, revised time

Related: Practical "What Changed" Guides

For practical, persona-specific guides (salaried employees, freelancers, landlords, NRIs, startups) on what actually changes under the new Act, see the Income Tax & Salary Hub.

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Disclaimer: This series is for educational and professional-reference purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Income-tax Act provisions, rules and notifications change periodically — always verify the current notified text with a qualified Chartered Accountant before relying on it for a filing, return or tax position.