Practical compliance guides

Income Tax · 11 min read

STT Hike 2026: How New Securities Transaction Tax Rates Hit F&O Traders

On 01 February 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the sharpest increase in Securities Transaction Tax on derivatives in two...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

Income Tax · 9 min read

Revised Return Deadline Extended to 12 Months: What This Means for ITR Filers

You filed your ITR on time, then discovered a missed deduction or an incorrect entry. Under the old rules, your window to fix this closed on...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

GSTAT & GST Litigation · 10 min read

GSTAT Adjournments: How the 3-Adjournment Rule Works and What Happens When You Exhaust Them

Under the erstwhile CESTAT, adjournment culture was endemic - cases dragged on for years with repeated deferrals. GSTAT was designed to end...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

GSTAT & GST Litigation · 11 min read

GSTAT Cause List: How Your Case Gets Listed and What to Do When It’s Missing

You filed your GSTAT appeal, paid the pre-deposit, uploaded all documents - and then nothing. No hearing date. No SMS. Your case does not ap...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

GSTAT & GST Litigation · 11 min read

GSTAT Powers Explained: When the Tribunal Can Confirm, Modify, Annul or Remand

The GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) started hearing cases on 16 February 2026. For the first time in the GST era, taxpayers have a dedicated...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

TDS & Compliance Returns · 10 min read

SFT Reporting Changes 2026: New Transactions Added and Thresholds Revised

Even if you never hear the term “SFT”, it directly affects you. Every time you deposit more than Rs 10 lakh in cash, buy property above Rs 3...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

Income Tax · 10 min read

Armed Forces Pension Tax Exemption Narrowed: Only Disability Discharge Cases Qualify

The Income Tax Act, 2025 - replacing the 1961 Act from 01 April 2026 - brought a century-old exemption to the edge of expiry. The disability...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

Income Tax · 10 min read

Transfer Pricing Safe Harbour 2026: 15.5% Margin for IT and ITES Companies Explained

For over a decade, India’s transfer pricing safe harbour rules were a good idea with poor execution. Margins of 20-22% in 2013 were so far a...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

TDS & Compliance Returns · 11 min read

PAN Quoting Rules 2026: New Annual Aggregate Thresholds Explained

Depositing Rs 60,000 cash at a bank counter used to mean pulling out your PAN card every single time. From 01 April 2026, that daily hassle...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

TDS & Compliance Returns · 12 min read

Property TDS 2026: How PAN-Based Challan Replaces TAN for NRI Seller Transactions

Buying a flat from your NRI cousin used to mean a compliance marathon: obtain a TAN you would never use again, calculate TDS at 20-30%, depo...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

GSTAT & GST Litigation · 6 min read

GSTAT Memorandum of Appearance (GSTAT FORM-04): Complete Guide

GSTAT FORM-04 is the gateway document for any representative appearing before the Tribunal. Without it, you cannot argue, file submissions,...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6

GSTAT & GST Litigation · 5 min read

Who Can Appear Before GSTAT: CA, Advocate, GST Practitioner - Rules Compared

Your GSTAT appeal is admitted. The hearing date is approaching. Who should represent you - your regular CA who understands the numbers, an a...

CACA Sundaram Gupta · Apr 6