Curbing Tax Avoidance in a Global Economy: Challenges and the Road Ahead

In today’s interconnected economy, tax avoidance has become one of the most pressing concerns for governments, regulators, and global institutions. While multinational companies (MNCs) are expected to pursue efficiency and maximize shareholder value, governments rely on tax revenues to fund development, infrastructure, and welfare. This natural tension has given rise to increasingly sophisticated tax planning practices and equally complex countermeasures. Below are some key themes…

Black Money Act and the Shifting Rules of Transparency

Enacted in 2015, the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act was introduced by the Indian Parliament to curb “black money”, particularly undisclosed foreign income and assets held by Indian residents. The Act primarily targets foreign income and assets that remain undisclosed to Indian tax authorities. Given the cross-border nature of black money, a robust legal and administrative framework is…

A Practical Guide to Managing Capital Gains with CGAS

Selling property often brings the responsibility of paying capital gains tax on the profit earned. Fortunately, Indian tax laws provide exemptions under Sections 54, 54F, and 54B if the gains are reinvested in specified assets. However, many taxpayers find it challenging to reinvest their capital gains before filing their Income Tax Return (ITR). To address this issue, the government introduced the Capital Gains Account Scheme…

Inside the AI Powered Hunt for Fraudulent Tax Claim

The Income Tax Department has launched a nationwide drive to crack down on large-scale manipulation, where false claims of deductions have been identified and are currently under scruty. Tax authorities are leveraging multiple databases with the help of Artificial Intelligence to detect and investigate these discrepancies. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) states that while the primary focus is on deductions related to fake…

CBDT Pushes Income Tax Return Filing to Mid-September for AY 2025-26

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has granted taxpayers a welcome breather by extending the income tax return filing deadline from 31st July 2025 to 15th September 2025. In the past, deadline extensions have been granted for various reasons, often following persistent representations had to be made in past by professional bodies and industry associations. While exceptional situations like the COVID-19 pandemic & natural…

The Key Role of Documentation in Tax Compliance

In the complex world of taxation, one element often determines whether a business or individual stays on the right side of the law: documentation. Proper recordkeeping is not just a best practice—it’s the foundation of tax compliance. Without it, even the most well-intentioned taxpayer can face audits, penalties, or missed opportunities for deductions and credits. Whether you are an individual, a small business, or a…

Understanding Section 194T – A New Era in Partners Remuneration Taxation

Building on the government’s goal of streamlining tax collection with minimal administrative efforts, the Budget 2024 introduces new provisions for deducting TDS on partners’ income from the firm in the form of remuneration & interest. These provisions are effective for payments made on or after 1st April 2025. Section 194T can be summarized as: (1) Any person, being a firm, responsible for paying any sum…

Presumptive Taxation Made Easy: Unlocking the Power of Sections 44AD and 44ADA

In India, small business owners and professionals often struggle with the complexities of income tax compliance, particularly maintaining books of accounts and undergoing audits. To ease this burden, the Income Tax Act offers two powerful yet often misunderstood provisions — Section 44AD and Section 44ADA. These sections come under the Presumptive Taxation Scheme, aimed at simplifying tax filing for eligible taxpayers. With recent amendments raising…

Bridging Trust with Tax: GST Registration Campaign 2025 Sets a New Standard

The CGST Delhi East Commissionerate’s recent GST Registration Campaign 2025 has raised the bar for taxpayer engagement. Held over two-days in some of Delhi’s busiest market, the initiative not only drove new GST registrations but also aimed to reshape how business perceive GST officers – from enforcers to enables. For years, tax assessments and compliance checks have carried a reputation of being complicated, intimidating, and…

CBDT’s Latest Clarifications on Risk Management Strategy

Tax scrutiny isn’t random, it’s strategic! The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has developed an advanced system that helps the Income Tax Department to identify the returns that. Tax scrutiny isn’t random—it’s strategic! The CBDT has developed an advanced system that helps the Income Tax Department pinpoint returns that demand a closer look. On February 27, 2025, CBDT released an Office Memorandum (OM) clarifying…