Income Tax Notifications & Circulars – April 2025 Compilation

Compilation of Income Tax Notifications & Circulars – April 2025: Key updates on PAN-Aadhaar linking, ITR changes, TCS on luxury goods, and tax exemptions
Income Tax India - CBDT Notifications - Income Tax April 2025 - taxscan

In April 2025, there were several important updates to India’s income tax rules. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued many notifications and made changes to the Income-tax Rules, 1962. These covered areas like linking PAN with Aadhaar, new reporting rules, tax benefits for research organizations, exemptions for public bodies, and expanded rules for collecting tax at source (TCS).

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Here’s a complete round-up of all official circulars and notifications released during the month:

Mandatory PAN-Aadhaar Linking

Notification No. 25 & 26/2025 | Date: April 3, 2025 Relevant Section: 139AA

Individuals who were allotted a Permanent Account Number (PAN) using only the Aadhaar Enrolment ID prior to October 1, 2024, must link their Aadhaar number to the Income Tax Department’s database by December 31, 2025, or a date as may be specified by CBDT. Failure to comply may lead to PAN becoming inoperative.

This compliance is to be reported to the Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) or an authorised person through notified channels.

TDS Relief on National Savings Scheme Withdrawals

Notification No. 27/2025 | Date: April 4, 2025 Sections: 80CCA, 194EE

Withdrawals made by individuals from accounts under the National Savings Scheme [as per Section 80CCA(2)(a)] shall not attract tax deduction at source (TDS) under Section 194EE. This move offers relief to small savers and pensioners reliant on long-term savings schemes.

New ITR Form for Search and Seizure Assessments

Notification No. 30/2025 | Date: April 7, 2025 Relevant Section: 158BC(a)

CBDT has launched a new form, Form ITR-B, for filing block assessment returns in cases where search and seizure operations were initiated under Sections 132 or 132A on or after September 1, 2024.

Key features:

  • Applies to entities involved in such cases for filing income for the entire block assessment period.
  • Mandatory digital signature for companies, political parties, and tax audit assessees.
  • Includes verification protocols, tax credit claim rules, and a mechanism to provisionally disclose income for years where the due date hasn’t passed.

Income Tax Exemptions to Public Institutions

Section 10(46A) Exemptions:

All four institutions are now exempt from income tax under Section 10(46A) for incomes derived from public service functions, including rentals, grants, user fees, and bank interest, subject to conditions specified by CBDT.

Scientific Research Institution Approval

Notification No. 33/2025 | Date: April 17, 2025 Relevant Section: 35(1)(ii)

The KIMS Foundation and Research Centre, Hyderabad (PAN: AABTK7589F) has been notified as a recognized institution for scientific research, eligible for weighted deduction under Section 35(1)(ii) for Assessment Years 2026–27 to 2030–31.

This move incentivizes scientific innovation by offering tax benefits to donors and stakeholders involved in recognized research institutions.

Capital Gains Exemption Instruments – HUDCO Bonds

1. Notification No. 31/2025 | Date: April 7, 2025 Relevant Section: 54EC

HUDCO’s bonds issued on or after April 1, 2025, and redeemable after five years are notified as long-term specified assets, eligible for capital gains tax exemption if invested within six months of transfer under Section 54EC. Proceeds must be used for revenue-generating infrastructure.

2. Notification No. 34/2025 | Date: April 17, 2025 Relevant Section: 2(48)

HUDCO’s Ten-Year Zero Coupon Bonds, maturing after 10 years and one month, issued at a significant discount, are notified as zero coupon bonds. Total issue: Rs. 5,000 crores. Usage: Infrastructure projects financed through project revenues, not state subsidies.

Expanded Scope of TCS on High-Value Goods

1. Notification No. 35/2025 | Date: April 22, 2025

2. Notification No. 36/2025 | Date: April 22, 2025 Relevant Section: 206C

CBDT has introduced Tax Collection at Source (TCS) on luxury and lifestyle items when their transaction value exceeds Rs. 10 lakhs:

  • Wristwatches, sunglasses, designer handbags
  • Yachts, helicopters, horses (for polo/racing)
  • Artworks, antiques, collectibles (e.g., stamps/coins)
  • Sports gear (golf kits, ski equipment), home theatres
     TCS is applicable at 1% and must be reported via Form 27EQ.

Last Date for Vivad se Vishwas Scheme Filing

Notification No. 32/2025 | Date: April 8, 2025 Relevant Section: 90

CBDT has set April 30, 2025, as the final deadline for filing declarations under the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Scheme, 2024, aimed at resolving outstanding tax disputes by paying reduced or waived penalties and interest.

Disallowance of Penalty-Linked Expenditure

Notification No. 38/2025 | Date: April 23, 2025 Relevant Section: 37

Expenses incurred for settling penalties, fines, or violations under the following laws are now non-deductible:

  • SEBI Act, 1992
  • Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956
  • Depositories Act, 1996
  • Competition Act, 2002

Applies from the date of notification, April 23, 2025.

ITR Filing Simplification and Rule Amendments

Notification No. 40/2025 | Date: April 29, 2025 Relevant Sections: 112A, 44AD, 44ADA, 44AE

Key changes:

  • Assessees earning only LTCG under Section 112A up to Rs. 1.25 lakh, with no losses to carry forward, are now eligible to file ITR-1 (Sahaj).
  • Rule 12(ca) amended to include such LTCG earners with presumptive business income under Sections 44AD, 44ADA, and 44AE for filing ITR-4 (Sugam).
  • Rule 11B amended to mandate filing Form 10BA for claiming rent-based deductions.
  • A new ITR-1 form was introduced under Appendix II.

Quick Reference Table

NotificationDateKey Change/SubjectSection(s)
25, 26Apr 3Aadhaar–PAN linkage deadline139AA
27Apr 4No TDS on NSS withdrawals80CCA, 194EE
30Apr 7ITR-B introduced for search/seizure cases158BC(a)
28–29, 37, 39Apr 7–24Tax exemptions to public bodies10(46A)
31, 34Apr 7, 17Capital gains exemption via HUDCO bonds54EC, 2(48)
33Apr 17KIMS Research Centre is approved for scientific research35(1)(ii)
32Apr 8Last date under Vivad se Vishwas Scheme90
35, 36Apr 22TCS on luxury goods above Rs. 10 lakh206C
38Apr 23No deduction for legal contravention expenses37
40Apr 29ITR-1/4 eligibility expanded; Rule 12 and ITR forms amended112A, 44AD etc.

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