The Income-tax Act, 2025 is the biggest reform in Indian direct taxation in the last 60 years. From 1st April 2026, the old Income-tax Act, 1961 will be replaced by a completely new law.
For CA Final students appearing from May 2027 onwards, this is not a minor amendment — it is a total reset of the syllabus, structure, and exam approach.
Let’s understand what has changed and how CA students must prepare.
Why the Income-tax Act, 2025 Is a Game-Changer
The new law is designed to be simpler, digital-friendly, and globally aligned.
Key highlights:
- Replaces the 1961 Act
- Comes into force from 1 April 2026
- Exam-relevant from CA Final May 2027
- Sections reduced from 800+ to ~536
- Introduces Tax Year system
- Incorporates global tax standards (BEPS 2.0)
This means students must now unlearn and relearn Direct Tax in a new framework.
1️⃣ Single “Tax Year” System
The concepts of Previous Year (PY) and Assessment Year (AY) are removed.
There will be only one Tax Year, making taxation simpler and more logical.
2️⃣ Reduced & Simplified Law
The Act is reduced from 800+ sections to about 536, making the law shorter, clearer, and easier to study for CA students.
3️⃣ Global & Digital Focus
The new Act adopts BEPS 2.0 and formally includes Virtual Digital Assets (Crypto), increasing the importance of international and digital taxation.
4️⃣ New TDS & TCS Structure
All major TDS provisions are merged into Section 393.
TCS on sale of goods has been removed, simplifying compliance.
5️⃣ Revised Residential Status
The rules for Resident, Non-resident, and Deemed Resident have been simplified, but they remain high-scoring and concept-based in CA Final.
Impact on CA Final Exams (May 2027 Onwards)
From May 2027, Direct Tax will be fully based on the Income-tax Act, 2025.
This means:
- Old section numbers like Sec 4, 6, 15-17, 44AB, 271AAC, etc. will be replaced
- Students must map old concepts to new provisions
- New emphasis on:
- International Tax
- Tax audit (New Sec 63 / 515)
- Penalties & compliance
Those who study with old-law mindset will struggle.
How CA Final Students Should Prepare
To crack DT under the new law, students must:
✔ Change their mindset
Stop thinking in PY–AY format
Start thinking in Tax Year
✔ Use updated study material
Old DT books are useless now.
Only study material based on Income-tax Act, 2025 should be used.
✔ Practice new Rules
The Income-tax Rules, 2026 introduce:
- New ITR forms
- New procedures
- New compliance formats
These will be tested in exams.
How Top Faculty – CA Bhanwar Borana Is Teaching the New Law
India’s most trusted DT faculty, CA Bhanwar Borana (BB Sir), has already shifted to the Income-tax Act, 2025 for May 2027 batches.
🎓 Courses by BB Sir
For Professionals
Professional Course Refresher on Direct Tax
(As per Income-tax Act, 2025)
For CA Final Students
CA Final Direct Tax – Regular Batch (Pre-Book)
As per Income-tax Act, 2025
He is teaching:
- New Tax Year concept
- Section mapping from old law
- Exam-oriented memory techniques
- ICAI-pattern case studies
📌 Official Update by BB Sir:
CA/CMA Final Batch Details for May/June 2027 Onwards – Income-tax Act, 2025
Final Words
The Income-tax Act, 2025 is not just an amendment — it is a new subject altogether.
Students who:
- Start early
- Study from the right faculty
- Use the new-law approach
will gain a huge competitive advantage in CA Final May 2027.
If you are serious about cracking Direct Tax, this is the time to reset, relearn, and rise
