NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Monday approved the Income Tax Bill 2025 – a key reform aimed at revamping the decades old income tax law for individuals and companies, making it simple for taxpayers and easing the compliance burden.Earlier, FM Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the revised and updated version of the I-T bill in Parliament, incorporating recommendations of the Select committee of Parliament. On Aug 8, FM had withdrawn the earlier bill, which was introduced in the house on Feb 13. The Select committee of the Lok Sabha headed by BJP’s Baijayant Panda had examined the I-T Bill 2025 and adopted the report on the draft legislation last month. The parliamentary panel had suggested 285 recommendations on the draft legislation, aimed at simplifying and modernising the country’s tax laws. “Almost all of the recommendations of the Select Committee have been accepted by govt. In addition, suggestions have been received from stakeholders about changes that would convey the proposed legal meaning more accurately,” according to the statement of Objects and Reasons of the Income Tax (No.2) Bill.” For TDS correction statements, the time period for filing statements has been reduced to two years from six years in the Income-tax Act, 1961. I-T department sources said this is expected to reduce the grievances of deductees significantly.Flexibility has been provided in the new I-T bill for allowing refund claims in cases where the return is not filed on time, a move which is expected to come as a major relief for taxpayers.Tax experts said the reforms are expected to ease compliance for individuals, companies, MSMEs and promote a stable, predictable and transparent tax system, key for sustaining domestic consumption, attracting foreign investment and supporting growth. “The withdrawal of the earlier I-T bill and the introduction of a revised version demonstrates govt’s responsiveness to stakeholder feedback and the Select Parliamentary committee’s recommendations,” said Gouri Puri, partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Co.Puri said the original draft raised concerns about ambiguities, particularly regarding house property taxation, pension deductions, and the refund process for delayed filings. “The revised bill addresses these gaps to simplify interpretation, reduce disputes and promote fairness,” said Puri.The new I-T Bill also aims to eliminate redundant and repetitive provisions for better navigation, reorganising sections logically to facilitate case of reference. It has opted for simplified language to make the law more accessible and has removed obsolete and redundant provisions for greater clarity. Mandatory investment and deposit of deemed accumulated income of 15% of regular income in specified modes has been done away with. The word “profession” has been added after “business” in clause 187 to enable professionals with total receipts exceeding Rs 50 crore in a year the facility of prescribed electronic modes of payment.
