Direct Taxes Ready Reckoner – 49th Edition – AY 2025-26 & AY 2026-27

Direct Taxes Ready Reckoner has been a trusted companion for tax professionals across India for more than forty years, providing unparalleled clarity and comprehensive coverage of the Income-tax Act. This ready reckoner is designed to simplify complex tax provisions, providing practical illustrations, break-even tables, hints for tax planning, and a detailed analysis of the New Tax Regime. It also guides the procedures and compliance requirements under the Faceless Tax Proceedings framework.

This book is intended for the following audience:

Tax Professionals & Practitioners ? Chartered accountants, lawyers, and tax consultants who need quick reference material for day-to-day tax advisory and compliance
Corporate & Finance Executives ? CFOs, finance managers, and corporate tax teams seeking clarity on tax rates, deductions, exemptions, and compliance timelines
Students & Academics ? CA, CS, CMA, MBA (Finance), and law students who require an in-depth understanding of direct tax provisions
Entrepreneurs & Individuals ? Start-ups, MSMEs, and individuals looking for precise guidance on tax planning strategies and compliance obligations

The Present Publication is the 49th Edition, updated to incorporate the latest legislative changes by the Finance Bill 2025 (as passed by the Lok Sabha). Applicable for Assessment Years 2025-26 and 2026-27, this Edition is authored by Dr Vinod K. Singhania, whose expert analysis has established this book as a cornerstone in direct taxation in India. The key highlights of this Edition include:

[Amended & Updated] Incorporates and highlights all changes, ensuring readers have the most current information for AY 2025?26 and 2026?27
[Income-tax Bill, 2025] Provides an overview of key changes in the Income-tax Bill, 2025 vis-?-vis Income-tax Act, 1961
[New Tax Regime] Detailed guidance on the revamped tax structure, with break-even tables to compare the Old vs. New Tax Regimes for different income levels
[Hints for Tax Planning] Practical insights on tax-saving avenues, deductions, and allowances under various sections of the Income-tax Act
[Faceless Tax Proceedings] Step-by-step explanation of compliance requirements and procedural aspects under the faceless assessment, appeals, and penalty system
[Comprehensive Illustrations] Simplifies the understanding of amendments and complex provisions through examples and case studies
[User-friendly Referencers] Organised tax tables, depreciation rates, withholding tax rates, cost inflation indices, and more for instant reference
[Historical Data] Presents tax rates for the last ten assessment years, plus gold and silver rates from past years for capital gains indexation purposes
[Author’s Background] Dr Vinod K. Singhania, a PhD from the Delhi School of Economics, has decades of experience in direct taxation. His expert analysis continues to set the standard for understanding and applying direct taxation in India

The coverage of the book is as follows:

Study of Direct Taxes
Thorough coverage of all heads of income (Salaries, House Property, Profits & Gains of Business or Profession, Capital Gains, and Other Sources)
Referencer for Amendments
Separate ‘Amendments at a Glance’ section explaining each major change enacted by the Finance Bill 2025, with examples
Tax Tables
Comprehensive tables for AY 2025?26 and 2026?27 for Individuals, HUFs, AOPs, Firms, Domestic Companies, Foreign Companies, and Cooperative Societies under both Regular and New Tax Regimes.
TDS and TCS rate charts for easy reference
Faceless Proceedings
Detailed guidelines and FAQs on how faceless assessments and appeals work, including timelines and procedural steps
Deductions & Exemptions
Exhaustive list of deductions under Chapter VI-A, exemptions under Section 10, and reliefs available
Tax Planning Tools
Summaries of tax-saving schemes, recommended approaches for capital gains exemption, and break-even analyses for different income brackets
Miscellaneous
Cost Inflation Index table
Income Computation and Disclosure Standards (ICDS) overview
Guidelines for tax return filing, payment of advance tax, interest, and penalties
Withholding tax compliances and timelines

The structure of the book is as follows:

Referencer ? Begins with quick-referencer charts and tables, enabling instant access to key rates and provisions
Section-wise Commentary ? Detailed discussions on each section of the Income-tax Act, supplemented by practical illustrations and summaries
Tax Tables ? Consolidated tables for current and previous years, allowing easy cross-referencing
Annexures & Appendices
Lists of Abbreviations for ease of use
Illustrative Case Studies and Examples
Amendments segregated for clarity
Indices for quick topic search
Faceless Compliance Guidance ? Dedicated coverage of e-assessment procedures, deadlines, and best practices to handle notices and queries in the faceless environment