📜 Income Tax Bill 2025 vs Income Tax Act 1961: A 64-Year Overhaul

📜 Income Tax Bill 2025 vs Income Tax Act 1961: A 64-Year Overhaul India’s direct tax law just got its biggest upgrade in six decades. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Income Tax Bill, 2025 , replacing the bulky, amendment-ridden Income Tax Act, 1961 . 🔑 What’s Changed? Simplified Structure : Sections cut from 819 → 536 , chapters from 47 → 23 . Archaic language scrapped, rules consolidated. New Tax Slabs : Basic exemption raised to ₹4 lakh . Zero tax on incomes up to ₹12 lakh (after rebate). Gradual slabs up to 30%. Compliance Relief : Refunds allowed even for late returns. Clearer TDS/TCS rules. Penalties relaxed for minor defaults. Digital Enforcement : Tax department gets stronger surveillance rights to track evasion—access to accounts, investments, even digital records. Targeted Deductions : Standard deduction, housing loan interest, commuted pensions, inter-corporate dividend deduction restored/clarified. 👥 Who Benefits? Salaried Class...