New Income Tax Bill 2025, Search and Seizure Provisions

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the New Income Tax Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha on 13th February 2025. This bill aims to replace the Income Tax Act of 1961 and seeks to simplify the tax code, reduce litigation, and facilitate compliance for Indian taxpayers. The Income Tax Bill, 2025, has introduced a controversial provision regarding the search and seizure powers of tax authorities.

New Income Tax Bill 2025 in Parliament

The New Income Tax Bill 2025 is set to be introduced sometime between 11 am and 3:30 pm. The bill will be presented as part of the Legislative Business in Parliament. It is scheduled as the 27th item on the revised agenda for the Lok Sabha. The Income Tax Act of 1961 has undergone changes through 66 Budgets, including two interim budgets since it was established.

The New Income Tax Bill 2025 revised regulations about cryptocurrency and digital transactions but did not impose new taxes. The administration is expected to present the Waqf and New Immigration bills in Parliament today in addition to the new Income Tax Bill, 2025. Read this article to get the key highlights of the New Income Tax Bill 2025.

Objectives of the New Income Tax Bill 2025

• Simplification: Less complexity and more clarity.
• Increased Compliance: Simplify tax filing and assessment.
• New Taxation Framework: Bring tax laws in line with international best practices.
• Transparency & Accountability: Establish taxpayer rights and responsibilities.
• Digital Taxation: Enhance the faceless assessment and appeal system.

Key Highlights of the New Income Tax Bill

No Change in Tax Rates

The bill does not introduce any new taxes or alter the existing tax rates. All tax rate modifications will continue to be made via the annual Finance Act.

Introduction of the ‘Tax Year’ Concept

• The ‘assessment year’ has been removed, and the ‘tax year’ now aligns with the financial year (April 1 – March 31).
• For businesses or newly set-up professions, the tax year begins from their establishment date.

Clearer Tax Slabs under the New Regime

The government aims to promote the new tax regime by refining its structure:

Faceless Jurisdiction for Appeals

• Faceless tax assessments and appeals continue, reducing the need for physical interactions with tax authorities.
• AI-driven assessments to prevent corruption and delays.

Introduction of a Taxpayer Charter

• Explicitly outlines taxpayer rights and obligations.
• Aims to reduce taxpayer grievances and ensure fair treatment.

Streamlined Compliance and Filing Process

• Pre-filled tax returns with more details to reduce errors.
• Standardized reporting format for businesses and individuals.
• Faster refunds through real-time processing.

Enhanced Tax Benefits for Startups & MSMEs

• Reduced tax burden on startups with relaxed compliance norms.
• Tax exemptions for newly incorporated startups for a defined period.

Revised Capital Gains Tax Structure

• Clearer classification of short-term and long-term capital gains.
• Simplified rates to make capital gains taxation more transparent.

Digital Economy & Crypto Regulations

• Crypto transactions now have a well-defined taxation structure.
• GST-like compliance system for digital transactions to avoid tax evasion.

Penalty Reforms & Dispute Resolution

• Lower penalties for voluntary disclosure of tax errors.
• More structured tax tribunals to resolve disputes quickly.

Expanded Definition of Income

• Virtual digital assets (VDAs) like cryptocurrency and NFTs are now considered capital assets, similar to land and shares affecting tax calculations.

Simplified and Concise Drafting

• The Bill reduces the number of provisos and cross-references, making it easier to interpret without relying on multiple sections and rules.

Consolidation of Tax Compliance Requirements

• Provisions related to TDS, assessment timelines, dispute resolution, and deductions have been tabulated for easier access.

Removal of Outdated Exemptions

• Provisions like Section 54E (capital gains exemption for pre-1992 asset transfers) and redundant sections from past amendments have been eliminated.

Detailed Deductions from Salary

• Deductions related to salary, including standard deductions, gratuity, and leave encashment, are now detailed in tabular form, providing taxpayers with clear guidance.

Salient Features of New Income Tax Bill 2025

• The current law is made simpler and shorter by the new bill, which cuts its length from over 800 pages to 622 pages.
• It is easier to grasp since it eliminates out-of-date clauses and displays tax rates in an easy-to-read tabular style.
• Introduction of “Tax Year”: To reduce misunderstanding, the measure substitutes the word “tax year” for phrases like “assessment year” and “financial year.” The twelve months starting on 1st April will be known as a tax year.
• Enhanced Clarity: The bill aims to simplify tax rules by eliminating unnecessary sections and footnotes, making them easier to understand. This strategy seeks to minimize legal complications and promote voluntary compliance.
• Timeline for Implementation: The Income Tax Act, 2025, will go into effect on April 1, 2026, if it is passed, providing experts and taxpayers ample opportunity to become used to the new rules.

Changes in Search and Seizure Provisions

Powers Extended to Virtual Digital Spaces

• The new bill gives power to override any access codes (passwords, passcodes, encryption keys) protecting an individual’s digital communication or accounts.

Existing Powers Under the Income Tax Act, 1961

• Tax authorities could enter and search premises and forcibly open locks to seize financial records.
• Officials were already examining electronic records like emails, hard disks, and desktops.

New Powers Under Proposed Income Tax Bill, 2025

Authorities can now access “virtual digital spaces“ such as:

• Email servers, Social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
• Online banking and investment accounts
• Websites storing asset ownership details
• Cloud storage and remote servers, Digital application platforms, any other similar digital space.

This means tax officials can use password-breaking software or request tech companies (e.g., Apple, Google, Meta) to bypass login credentials.

Conclusion

The New Income Tax Bill 2025 is a landmark reform designed to make taxation simpler, fairer, and more efficient. By modernizing compliance procedures, introducing a Taxpayer Charter, and promoting faceless tax assessments, the government aims to enhance transparency and ease of doing business.

Taxpayers should stay updated on CBDT notifications and consult financial experts to understand how these changes impact them. With a structured transition phase, this new bill is set to redefine India’s direct taxation landscape.

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