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Case law › Income-tax Rules 2026

The Income-tax Rules, 2026

All 333 rules and both appendices — in the order the Rules run, and again grouped by the chapter of the Act each rule serves.

What changed when the Rules were remade

The Income-tax Rules, 1962 grew for sixty years by insertion, which is why they ended up with rules numbered 11UAC and 21AIA. The 2026 Rules renumber from 1 to 333 in a single clean run, with no letter suffixes at all. That is convenient and it is also a trap: a rule number quoted in an older order, circular or judgment almost never means the same rule today.

The second change is where a rule points. A 2026 rule cites a section of the Income-tax Act, 2025 and, very often, a Schedule to that Act. A great deal of what used to sit in section 10 and Chapter VI-A of the 1961 Act now lives in a Schedule, so a rule that once read as a self-contained condition now sends the reader on one more hop.

Rules by the chapter of the Act they serve

This grouping is our own. Where a rule’s heading names a section of the Income-tax Act, 2025, we place the rule in the chapter that section falls in; a rule naming sections from two chapters appears under both. 184 of the 333 rules name no section in their heading, and we have not guessed at those — they appear in the full index below.
Chapter of the ActRulesCount
IPreliminary4, 5, 1733
IIBasis of Charge274, 275, 2763
IVComputation of Total Income16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 58, 59, 66, 290, 29136
VIIIDeductions to Be Made in Computing Total Income61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 18112
IXRebates and Reliefs73, 752
XSpecial Provisions Relating to Avoidance of Tax79, 83, 84, 85, 123, 125, 1267
XIIMode of Payment in Certain Cases etc.1331
XIIIDetermination of Tax in Special Cases118, 134, 135, 140, 143, 1456
XIVTax Administration147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 154, 155, 1569
XVReturn of Income157, 159, 161, 162, 163, 165, 166, 1688
XVIProcedure for Assessment129, 169, 170, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176, 178, 179, 180, 22212
XVIISpecial Provisions Relating to Certain Persons177, 182, 184, 185, 186, 188, 189, 1908
XVIIIAppeals Revisions and Alternate Dispute Resolutions167, 191, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 200, 201, 20211
XIXCollection and Recovery of Tax205, 208, 210, 211, 212, 214, 215, 217, 218, 219, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 22918
XXRefunds2301
XXIPenalties2311
XXIIIMiscellaneous121, 124, 192, 232, 235, 242, 243, 244, 246, 247, 248, 26912

Every rule, in order

Rule number and the rule’s own heading. A heading is not the rule: it tells you what the rule is about, not what it requires.
RuleWhat it deals with
1Short title and commencement
2Definitions
3Arrangements for declaration and payment of dividends within India
4Conditions that a stock exchange is required to fulfil to be notified as a recognised stock exchange under section 2(92)
5Procedure for notification of a recognised stock exchange for the purposes of section 2(92)
6Method of determination of period of holding of capital assets in certain cases
7Procedure for notification of zero coupon bond
8Computation of period of stay in India for an Indian citizen, being a member of the crew of a foreign bound ship
9Determination of income in case of non-residents
10Definition of terms for rules 11 and 12
11Fair market value of assets in certain cases
12Determination of income attributable to assets in India
13Threshold for purposes of significant economic presence
14Method for determining amount of expenditure in relation to income not includible in total income
15Valuation of perquisites
16Annual accretion referred to in section 17(1)(i)
17Salary income for purposes of section 17(1)(c)(ii)
18Exemption of medical benefits from perquisite value in respect of medical treatment of prescribed diseases or ailments in hospitals approved by the Chief Commissioner
19Gross total income for purposes of section 17(3)(b)
20Procedure for purposes of section 19 [Table: Sl. No. 12] relating to voluntary retirement or voluntary separation
21Unrealised rent
22Computation of aggregate average advances for the purposes of section 31(1) [Table: Sl. No. 1] for deduction for provision of bad and doubtful debt
23Computation of pro rata amount of discount on a zero coupon bond for purpose of section 32(d)
24Notification of infrastructure facility for the purposes of section 32(e)
25Depreciation
26Cases and circumstances in which a payment or aggregate of payments exceeding ten thousand rupees may be made to a person in a day, otherwise than by specified banking and online mode or through such other electronic mode as provided in rule 48
27Form of statement to be furnished regarding certain preliminary expenses eligible for deduction under section 44
28Form of audit report for claiming deduction for certain preliminary expenses under section 44 and expenditure for prospecting certain minerals under section 51
29Prescribed authority and process of approval for expenditure on scientific research under section 45(1)(a)(ii) and (2)
30Prescribed authority and process of approval for expenditure on scientific research under section 45(3)(c)
31Furnishing of statement of particulars in respect of donation and certificate to donor under section 45(4)(a)
32Procedure, form and manner in respect of approval under section 45(4) read with section 45(3)(a) for deduction for expenditure on scientific research by a research association
33Conditions subject to which approval is to be granted to a research association for deduction for expenditure on scientific research under section 45(4) read with section 45(3)(a)
34Conditions subject to which approval is to be granted to a University, college or other institution for deduction for expenditure on scientific research under section 45(4) read with section 45(3)(a)
35Prescribed authority, procedure, form, manner and conditions for approval by a company for deduction for expenditure on scientific research under section 45(3)(b)
36Procedure for notification of an affordable housing project as a specified business under section 46(11)(d)(vii) and a semi-conductor wafer fabrication manufacturing unit as a specified business under section 46(11)(d)(xiii)
37Procedure for approval of agricultural extension project under section 47(1)(a)
38Conditions for notification of agricultural extension projects under section 47(1)(a)
39Procedure for approval of skill development projects under section 47(1)(b)
40Conditions subject to which a skill development project is to be notified under section 47(1)(b)
41Expenditure for obtaining right to use spectrum for telecommunication services
42Special provision regarding interest on bad and doubtful debt of specified financial institution
43Form of report of audit to be furnished under section 59(4) for computation of royalty and fee for technical services
44Conditions to be fulfilled by a non-resident, engaged in the business of operation of cruise ships under section 61(2) [Table: Sl. No. 2]
45Conditions to be fulfilled by a resident company for purposes of section 61(2) [Table: Sl. No. 6]
46Maintenance of books of account under section 62
47Report of audit of accounts to be furnished under section 63
48Other electronic modes of payment
49Computation of capital gains for purposes of section 67(5)
50Attribution of income taxable under section 67(10) to capital assets remaining with the specified entity, under section 72
51Other conditions required to be fulfilled by the original fund
52Rate of exchange for conversion of rupees into foreign currency and reconversion of foreign currency into rupees for purpose of computation of capital gains under section 72
53Computation of fair market value of capital assets for purposes of section 77
54Form of report of an accountant in respect of slump sale
55Conditions for reference to Valuation Officers under section 91(1)(b)
56Meaning of expressions used in determination of fair market value
57Determination of fair market value
58Prescribed class of persons for the purpose of section 92(3)(i) and section 79
59Computation of income chargeable to tax under section 92(2)(l)
60Conditions for carrying forward or set-off of accumulated loss and unabsorbed depreciation allowance in case of amalgamation
61Certificate of a medical authority in respect of autism, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities for the purposes of deduction under section 127 and section 154
62Issuance of prescription in respect of certain diseases and ailments for the purpose of deduction under section 128
63Prescribed authority for approval of a University or any educational institution of national eminence for purposes of section 133
64Procedure for specifying an association or institution for purposes of notification under section 133(1)(a)(xxiv)
65Conditions for claim for deduction under section 134
66Furnishing of audit report for claiming deduction under section 46 or 138 or 139 or 140 or 141 or 142 or 143 or 144
67Form of particulars to be furnished along with return of income for claiming deduction under section 144
68Furnishing of report under section 146
69Report of accountant to be furnished under section 147(4)(a)
70Form of certificate to be furnished under section 151(5)
71Prescribed authority and form of certificate to be furnished under section 152(5)
72Prescribed authority and form of certificate to be furnished under section 151(6) and section 152(6)
73Relief under section 157(1), when salary is paid in arrears or in advance, gratuity, etc.
74Taxation of income from retirement benefit account maintained in a notified country
75Other documents and information to be provided for claiming double taxation relief under section 159(1) and (2)
76Foreign tax credit
77Meaning of expressions used in determination of arm’s length price
78Other method for determination of arm’s length price
79Determination of arm’s length price under section 165
80Most appropriate method
81Determination of arm’s length price in certain cases
82Exercise of option for determination of arm’s length price for multiple years in a single proceeding
83Time period for repatriation of excess money under section 170(2) and computation of interest income under section 170(4) pursuant to secondary adjustments
84Information and documents to be kept and maintained under section 171(1)
85Report from an accountant to be furnished under section 172
86Definitions for safe harbour rules for international transactions
87Eligible assessee for safe harbour rules for international transactions
88Eligible international transactions for safe harbour
89Safe harbour for eligible international transactions
90Procedure relating to transactions other than provision of information technology services
91Procedure relating to transactions of provision of information technology services
92Safe harbour rules for international transactions not to apply in certain cases
93Mutual agreement procedure not to apply where Safe harbour for international transactions is accepted
94Definitions for safe harbour rules for specified domestic transaction
95Eligible assessee for safe harbour rules for specified domestic transactions
96Eligible specified domestic transaction for safe harbour
97Safe harbour for eligible specified domestic transaction
98Procedure governing safe harbour rules for specified domestic transactions
99Definitions for safe harbour rules for income attribution in case of income from business and profession
100Safe harbour for income attribution in case of income from business and profession
101Procedure governing safe harbour rules for income attribution in case of income from business and profession
102Mutual agreement procedure not to apply where safe harbour for income attribution in case of income from business and profession is exercised
103Meaning of expressions used in matters in respect of advance pricing agreement
104Persons eligible to apply
105Pre-filing consultation
106Application for advance pricing agreement
107Withdrawal of application for agreement
108Preliminary processing of application
109Procedure
110Terms of the agreement
111Roll back of Agreement
112Amendments to application
113Furnishing of annual compliance report
114Compliance audit of agreement
115Revision of an agreement
116Cancellation of an agreement
117Procedure for giving effect to rollback provision of an Agreement
118Relief in tax payable under section 206(1) due to operation of section 206(1)(i)
119Renewing an agreement
120Miscellaneous
121Application seeking to give effect to terms of any agreement under section 533(2)(p) and procedure for giving effect to decision under agreement
122Procedure to deal with requests for bilateral or multilateral advance pricing agreements
123Maintenance and furnishing of information and document by constituent entity of an international group under section 171
124Furnishing of report in respect of an international group under section 511
125Furnishing of authorisation and maintenance of documents, etc. for the purposes of section 176
126Conditions and activities for finance company located in any International Financial Services Centre for section 177
127Determination of consequences of impermissible avoidance arrangement
128Chapter XI relating to General Anti Avoidance Rule not to apply in certain cases
129Notice and Forms for reference under section 274
130Time limits
131Procedure before Approving Panel
132Remuneration
133Modes of payment for the purpose of section 187
134Exercise of option for taxation of royalty income from patent under section 194(1) [Table: Sl. No. 2]
135Calculation of net winnings from online games for purpose of section 194(1) [Table: Sl. No. 5]
136Exercise or withdrawal of option for new tax regime
137Form of report for computation of book profit of companies
138Form of report for computation of adjusted total income by certain persons other than a company
139Computation of exempt income of specified fund attributable to units held by non-resident under Schedule VI [Table: Sl. Nos. 1 to 4] to Act
140Determination of income of a specified fund attributable to units held by non-residents under section 210(2)
141Computation of exempt income of specified fund, attributable to investment division of an offshore banking unit under Schedule VI [Table: Sl. Nos. 1 to 4] to Act
142Conditions referred to in Schedule VI [Note 1(g)(ii)(B)] to Act required to be fulfilled by an investment division of an offshore banking unit
143Determination of income of a specified fund attributable to investment division of an offshore banking unit under section 210(3)
144Other conditions required to be fulfilled by a specified fund as referred to in Schedule VI [Note 1(g)(i)] to Act
145Statements under sections 221(4), 222(2), 223(5) and 224(9)
146Rules related to application for exercising the option for tonnage tax scheme and other matters related to it
147Publication and circulation of order of Board under section 239(3)(a)
148Search and Seizure under section 247
149Procedure to requisition services under section 247(5) and to make a reference under section 247(9)
150Valuation under section 247(9)
151Requisition of books of account, etc. under section 248
152Release of remaining assets under section 250
153Distraint and sale
154Form of information under section 254(1)
155Disclosure of information related to assessees under section 258(2)
156Prescribed income-tax authority under section 259
157Persons exempt from obtaining Permanent Account Number under section 262
158Application for allotment of a Permanent Account Number
159Transactions in relation to which Permanent Account Number is to be quoted or applied for purposes of section 262(1)(f), 262(10)(c) and (e)
160Time and manner in which persons referred to in rule 159 shall furnish a statement containing particulars of Form No. 97
161Transactions for purposes of section 262(9)(a)
162When PAN becomes inoperative under section 262(6)
163Conditions for furnishing return of income by persons other than a company or firm referred to in section 263(1) (a)(x)
164Forms, eligibility, verification etc. in respect of return of income
165Furnishing of updated return of income under section 263(6) read with sub-section (2) of said section
166Conditions for treating a return as defective return under section 263(7)
167Form of appeal to Joint Commissioner (Appeals) or Commissioner (Appeals) under section 358
168Prescribed person for verification of return for purposes of section 265 [Table: Sl. Nos. 3 and 9]
169Form of verification for furnishing information under section 268(1)(c)
170Prescribed income-tax authority under section 268(3) for issue of notice under sub-section (1) thereof
171Forms for report of audit or inventory valuation under section 268(5)
172Procedure for purposes of determining expenses for audit or inventory valuation
173Jurisdiction of Valuation Officers as per section 2(110) read with section 269
174Day and time for inspection by Valuation Officers, etc., as per section 269(3)
175Prescribed authority for issue of notice under section 270(8)
176Procedure for faceless assessment, reassessment or recomputation under section 273(1)
177Modified return of income in respect of business reorganisation under section 314
178Application under section 288(1) [Table: Sl. No. 11] regarding credit of tax deduction at source
179Notice of demand under section 289
180Return of income in respect of block assessment under section 294(1)
181Common application for registration of non-profit organisation or for approval for the purposes of deduction under section 133(1)(b)(ii)
182Manner of computation of gains of commercial activities under sections 335(e), 344, 345 and 346
183Manner of computation of any portion of income applied by a registered non-profit organisation, directly or indirectly, for benefit of any related person
184Exercise of options by a registered non-profit organisation under section 341(7) for deemed application under section 341(5)
185Furnishing of statement by registered non-profit organisation under section 342(1) for accumulating or setting apart any part of its regular income
186Application under section 342(5) for change of purpose for which income has been accumulated or set apart
187Books of account and other documents to be kept and maintained by a registered non-profit organisation
188Report of audit in case of registered non-profit organisations under section 348
189Method of valuation for the purposes of computing fair market value of assets and liabilities under section 352(2) for accreted income
190Furnishing of statement of particulars in respect of donation and certificate to donor under section 354(1)
191Mode of service of any order referred to in section 358(3)(b)
192Production of additional evidence before Joint Commissioner (Appeals) and Commissioner (Appeals) under section 533(2)(x)
193Form of appeal and memorandum of cross-objections to Appellate Tribunal under section 362
194Declaration under section 375
195Application under section 376 to defer filing of appeal before Appellate Tribunal or the jurisdictional High Court
196Constitution of Dispute Resolution Committee under section 379
197Application for resolution of dispute before the Dispute Resolution Committee under section 379
198Power to reduce or waive penalty imposable or grant immunity from prosecution or both under section 379
199Definitions
200Application for obtaining an advance ruling under section 383
201Certification of copies of advance rulings pronounced by Board for Advance Rulings under section 384(8)
202Form and manner of filing appeal to High Court on ruling pronounced or order passed by Board for Advance Rulings under section 389(1)
203Credit for tax deducted or collected at source
204Furnishing of particulars for deduction of tax at source from income under head “Salaries”
205Furnishing of evidence of claims by employee under section 392(5)(b) for deduction of tax from income under head “Salaries”
206Rate of exchange for conversion into rupees of income expressed in foreign currency
207Rate of exchange for the purpose of deduction of tax at source on income payable in foreign currency
208Furnishing of declaration and evidence of claims by specified senior citizen under section 393(1) [Table: Sl. No. 8(iii)]
209Application by payee for certificate authorising receipt of interest and other sums without deduction of tax
210Condition for no deduction of tax at source from income in respect of units of non-residents referred to in section 393(2) [Table: Sl. No. 10] read with section 393(4) [Table: Sl. No. 15]
211Declaration by person claiming receipt of certain incomes without deduction of tax under section 393(6)
212Declaration by a buyer for no collection of tax at source under section 394(2)
213Application for grant of certificates for deduction or collection of income-tax at any lower rates, or no deduction of income-tax
214Application by payer for grant of certificate under section 395(2) or section 400(3) for determination of appropriate proportion of sum (other than salary), payable to non-resident, chargeable in case of recipients
215Certificate of tax deducted or collected at source to be furnished under section 395(4)
216Application for allotment of a tax deduction and collection account number
217Conditions under section 397(2)(c) for non-application of deduction of tax at higher rate, in case of non-residents
218Time and mode of payment to Government account of tax deducted or collected at source or tax paid under section 392(2)(a)
219Statement of deduction or collection of tax at source under section 397(3)(b)
220Furnishing of information for payment to a non-resident, not being a company, or to a foreign company
221Form for furnishing certificate of accountant under section 398(2) for person responsible for deduction or collection of tax as per section 394(1) [Table: Sl. Nos. 1 to 5 and 9] not to be deemed to be an assessee in default
222Notice of demand under section 289
223Estimate of advance tax under section 407(8)
224Form of statement under section 413 or section 414
225Procedure for recovery of tax for the purposes of sections 413 and 475
226Tax recovery officer to exercise or perform certain powers and functions of an Assessing Officer under section 413
227Prescribed authority for tax clearance certificates under section 420
228Forms and certificates for the purposes of section 420
229Production of certificate under section 420
230Refund claim under section 434
231Form of application under section 440
232Service of notice, summons, requisition, order and other communication under section 501
233Authentication of notices and other documents
234Furnishing of annual statement by a non-resident having office in India
235Information or documents to be furnished under section 506
236Form of statement to be furnished by producers of cinematograph films or persons engaged in specified activity
237Furnishing of statement of financial transaction
238Definitions
239Information to be maintained and reported
240Due diligence requirement
241Definitions for purposes of rules 242, 243 and 244
242Obligation for reporting transaction of crypto-asset under section 509
243Reporting requirements for transaction of crypto-asset under section 509
244Due diligence procedures under section 509
245Annual Information Statement
246Application for registration as valuer under section 514
247Qualification of registered valuer for the purposes of section 514
248Charging of fee and submission of valuation report under section 514
249Removal from register of names of valuers and restoration
250Definitions for the purposes of rules 251 to 268
251Accountancy examinations recognised
252Educational qualifications prescribed
253Nature of business relationship
254Appearance by Authorised Representative in certain cases
255Register of income-tax practitioners
256Application for registration
257Certificate of registration
258Cancellation of certificate
259Cancellation of certificate obtained by misrepresentation
260Removal of name of authorised income-tax practitioner who is insolvent or on whom penalty has been imposed
261Prescribed authority to order an inquiry
262Charge-sheet
263Inquiry Officer
264Proceedings before Inquiry Officer
265Order of the prescribed authority
266Procedure if no Inquiry Officer appointed
267Change of Inquiry Officer
268Powers of prescribed authority and Inquiry Officer
269Procedure to be followed in calculating interest under section 533(2)(u)
270Determination of income, being partly from agricultural and partly from business
271Income from manufacture of rubber, coffee and tea
272Deduction in respect of expenditure on production of feature films
273Deduction in respect of expenditure on acquisition of distribution rights of feature films
274Procedure for investment fund for availing benefit under section 9(12) read with Schedule I to Act
275Approval of the investment fund at its option for purposes of section 9(12)
276Statement to be furnished by eligible investment fund under section 9(12) read with Schedule I to the Act
277Calculation of taxable interest relating to contribution in a provident fund or recognised provident fund, exceeding specified limit
278Conditions for purposes of Schedule III [Table: Sl. No. 8] to the Act
279Limits for the purposes of Schedule III [Table: Sl. No. 11] to the Act
280Allowances for purposes of Schedule III [Table: Sl. Nos. 12 and 13] to the Act
281Circumstances and conditions for purposes of Schedule III [Table: Sl. No. 16] to the Act
282Notification of pension fund and other conditions to be satisfied by the pension fund
283Computation of minimum investment and exempt income for purposes of Schedule V [Table: Sl. No. 7] to Act
284Conditions for the purpose of Schedule VI [Table: Sl. No. 5] to the Act
285Computation of exempt income in nature of capital gains in connection with relocation of original fund, etc.
286Requirements for approval of a fund for welfare of employees and their dependents under Schedule VII [Table: Sl. No. 2] to Act
287Percentage of Government grant for considering any University, hospital, or any other institution, as substantially financed by the Government for purposes of Schedule VII [Table: Sl. Nos. 17 and 18] to Act
288Procedure for setting up an Infrastructure Debt Fund for purpose of exemption under Schedule VII [Table: Sl. No. 46] to Act
289Rules for functioning of an electoral trust
290Report of audit of accounts to be furnished under Schedule IX read with section 48 for deduction for tea development account, coffee development account and rubber development account
291Report of audit of accounts to be furnished under Schedule X read with section 49 for deduction for site restoration fund
292Investment of fund moneys
293Nomination
294Accounts
295Assigning or creating a charge on beneficial interest in a recognized provident fund
296Application for recognition
297Order of recognition
298Withdrawal of recognition
299Exemption from tax when recognition withdrawn
300Appeal under paragraph 13(1) of Part A of Schedule XI to the Act
301Definitions for purposes of rules 302 to 315
302Conditions regarding trust and trustees
303Investment of fund moneys
304Admission of directors to a fund
305Ordinary annual contributions
306Initial contributions
307Scheme of insurance or annuity
308Commutation of annuity
309Beneficiary not to have any interest in insurance and employer not to have any interest in moneys of fund
310Penalty, where employee assigns or charges interest in fund
311Arrangements on winding up, etc., of business
312Arrangements for winding up, etc., of fund
313Application of approval
314Amendment of rules, etc., of fund
315Appeal under paragraph 9(1) of Part B of Schedule XI to the Act in case of superannuation fund
316Definitions for purposes of rules 317 to 329
317Conditions regarding trust and trustees
318Investment of fund moneys
319Nomination
320Admission of directors to a fund
321Ordinary annual contributions
322Initial contributions
323Assigning or creating a charge on beneficial interest in a gratuity fund
324Employer not to have interest in fund moneys
325Arrangements for winding up, etc., of business
326Arrangements for winding up of the fund
327Application for approval
328Amendment of rules, etc., of fund
329Appeal under Paragraph 9(1) of Part B of Schedule XI to the Act in case of gratuity fund
330Limits of reserve for unexpired risks
331Procedure for approval under Paragraph (1)(z)(i) and (ii) of Schedule XV to the Act
332Electronic furnishing of Forms, returns, statements, reports, orders, certificates, etc.
333Electronic payment of tax, interest, fee and penalty
Appendix ITable of rates at which depreciation is admissible
Appendix IITable of rates at which depreciation is admissible
What this page does not tell you. This is an index: a rule number and the heading the Rules themselves give it. Every number links to that rule’s own page, which carries the rule’s text, the figures it sets, the forms it prescribes and where you meet it — but the page is our reading of the rule, not the rule. Where a rule matters to a matter you are working on, read the rule itself.