Income Tax28 Sep 2026
Audit-case ITR deadline extended to 21 November 2026
The tax audit report date for AY 2026-27 moved from 30 September to 21 October 2026, and the ITR due date for audit cases from 31 October to 21 November 2026. Non-audit business returns are not covered.
Action: Pay any balance tax before filing to limit interest.
Source: News on AIR ↗GST8 Oct 2026
57th GST Council: process reforms, no rate change
The Council focused on registration, returns, refunds and adjudication. No rates changed; rate decisions will now be taken once a year, effective from the next financial year.
Action: No change to current returns. We will update clients when notifications are issued.
Source: GST Council ↗GSTDeadline 30 Nov 2026
Last chance to claim missed ITC of FY 2025-26
Under Section 16(4), credit of FY 2025-26 must be claimed in a return filed by 30 November 2026 (or the annual return date, if earlier). After that it is lost.
Action: Match the full year’s GSTR-2B with your purchase register now.
Source: CBIC ↗Income TaxFrom 1 Apr 2026
Income-tax Act 2025 and Rules 2026 in force
“Tax Year” replaces previous year and assessment year. Form 16 is now Form 130, Form 26AS is Form 168, and Forms 15G/15H merged as Form 121. FY 2025-26 income is still filed under the old Act.
Action: Use the new form names with your employer and bank.
Source: TaxAJ ↗Income TaxTax Year 2026-27
50% HRA exemption now covers Ahmedabad
Rule 279 adds Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune to the 50% list. Other cities, including Vapi and Surat, stay at 40%.
Action: Working in Ahmedabad? Tell your employer so TDS uses 50%.
Source: ClearTax ↗GSTDeadline 31 Dec 2026
GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C for FY 2025-26
Annual return is optional up to ₹2 crore turnover. GSTR-9C applies above ₹5 crore. All GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for the year must be filed first.
Action: Finish reconciliation in November so the annual return matches your books.
Source: GST portal ↗