Income-tax Amendment Rules 2026: Key Changes in ITR Forms for AY 2026-27

On 30-3-2026, the Ministry of Finance notified several amendments to amend the Income-tax Rules, 1962. These amendments mainly focus on amendments in Forms laid down in Appendix of the Income-tax Rules, 1962.

All you need to know about the amendments:

1. Income-tax (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026-

   • Effective from- 31-3-2026 and will apply in respect of returns filed for A.Y. 2026-27.

   • Amendment No. 1- Form ITR-1 SAHAJ

     ✓ This Form is for individuals being a resident (other than not ordinarily resident) having total income upto Rs.50 lakh and having Income from Salaries, 2 house properties, other sources (Interest etc.), long-term capital gains under section 112A up to Rs. 1.25 lakh, and agricultural income up to Rs.5 thousand.

     ✓ This Form is not for an individual who is either Director in a company or has invested in unlisted equity shares or in cases where TDS has been deducted u/s 194N or if income-tax is deferred on ESOP or has assets (including financial interest in any entity) located outside India.

   • Amendment No. 2- Form ITR-4 SUGAM

     ✓ This Form is for Individuals, HUFs and Firms (other than LLP) being a resident having total income upto Rs.50 lakh and having income from business and profession which is computed under sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE, and having long-term capital gains under section 112A upto Rs. 1.25 lakh.

     ✓ This Form is not for an individual who is either Director in a company or has invested in unlisted equity shares or if income-tax is deferred on ESOP or has agricultural income more than Rs. 5000 or has assets (including financial interest in any entity) located outside India.

2. Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026-

   • Effective from- 31-3-2026 and will apply in respect of returns filed for A.Y. 2026-27.

   • Amendment- Form ITR-2

     This Form is for individuals and HUFs not having income from profits and gains of business or profession.

3. Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026-

   • Effective from- 31-3-2026 and will apply in respect of returns filed for A.Y. 2026-27.

   • Amendment- Form ITR-3

     This Form is for individuals and HUFs having income from profits and gains of business or profession.

4. Income-tax (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026-

   • Effective from- 31-3-2026 and will apply to returns filed for Assessment Year 2026-27.

   • Amendment- Form ITR-5

     This Form is for persons other than-

     ✓ Individuals;

     ✓ HUF;

     ✓ Company;

     ✓ Persons filing Form ITR-7.

5. Income-tax (Sixth Amendment) Rules, 2026-

   • Effective from- 31-3-2026 and will apply to returns filed for Assessment Year 2026-27.

   • Amendment- Form ITR-6

     This Form is for companies other than companies claiming exemption under Section 11.

6. Income-tax (Seventh Amendment) Rules, 2026-

   • Effective from- 31-3-2026 and will apply to returns filed for Assessment Year 2026-27.

   • Amendment- Form ITR-7

     This Form is for persons including companies required to furnish return under Sections 139(4A) or 139(4B) or 139(4C) or 139(4D) only.

7. Income-tax (Eighth Amendment) Rules, 2026-

   • Effective from- 31-3-2026 and will apply to returns filed for Assessment Year 2026-27.

   • Amendment No. 1- Form ITR-V

     This Form relates to Indian Income Tax Return Verification Form and will apply where the data of the Return of Income in Form ITR-1 (SAHAJ), ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4(SUGAM), ITR-5, ITR-7 filed but NOT verified electronically.

   • Amendment No. 2- Form ITR- Ack

     This Form relates to Indian Income Tax Return Acknowledgement and will apply Where the data of the Return of Income in Form ITR-1 (SAHAJ), ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4(SUGAM), ITR-5, ITR-6, ITR-7 filed and verified.

8. Income-tax (Ninth Amendment) Rules, 2026-

   • Effective from- 30-3-2026

   • Amendment- Form ITR-U

     This Form relates to Indian Income Tax Updated Return and is for persons to update income/reduce loss within forty-eight months from the end of the relevant assessment year.