GST Overhaul: 40+ Stocks That Could Gain Big From Rate Cuts

 GST Revamp: Over 40 Stocks Poised to Benefit, Say Experts – Check the Full List

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day announcement that India will overhaul GST by Diwali has set Dalal Street buzzing. Analysts are calling it the biggest indirect tax reform since GST was first rolled out in 2017.

 

The government plans to simplify the current four-tier GST system into just two key rates – 5% and 18% (excluding sin goods). This means:

 

Almost all items taxed at 12% will move down to 5%.

 

A large share of goods currently at 28% will shift to 18%.

 

Brokerages estimate this could cut retail prices by 4–5%, giving households relief and driving higher consumption. The Finance Ministry expects a revenue impact of about ₹50,000 crore, which it considers manageable.

 

Sectors and Stocks in Focus

 

Automobiles: Two-wheelers, small cars, and commercial vehicles could see a major boost as GST on them drops from 28% to 18%. Winners include Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor, and Eicher Motors.

 

Cement: A cut from 28% to 18% could lower prices by nearly 8%. Analysts expect a ₹20,000–25,000 crore revenue hit for the government, but a big sentiment lift for the sector.

 

Consumer Durables: Products like air conditioners and large appliances will get cheaper, giving companies like Voltas, Blue Star, Havells, and Dixon Technologies a boost.

 

Banks & Financials: With lower taxes encouraging spending, credit demand may rise. ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and IDFC First Bank are expected to benefit.

 

Brokerages like Motilal Oswal, Jefferies, and Emkay Global believe these changes could also help bring down inflation by 0.5–0.6 percentage points annually, provided the government manages the revenue gap well.

 

The Big Picture

 

GST Rate Cuts: Over 40 Company Stocks Set to Gain

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day announcement on a new GST structure has given the stock market a big push. Investors are excited because this could be the biggest tax reform since GST began in 2017.

The plan is to replace the complicated four-slab GST system with just two main rates – 5% and 18% (except for sin goods like liquor and tobacco). This means many everyday items and big-ticket products will get cheaper:

• Goods currently taxed at 12% will mostly drop to 5%.

• Most products in the 28% slab will come down to 18%.

For families, this could mean 4–5% lower prices on several things they buy. For companies, it means more people spending, which is great for business.

Who Stands to Benefit?

• Automobiles – Two-wheelers, small cars, and trucks may get cheaper. Big winners: Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor, Eicher Motors.

• Cement – Prices may fall by around 8%, which is a huge positive for the sector.

• Consumer Durables – Products like air conditioners, big TVs, and appliances could see lower taxes, helping companies such as Voltas, Blue Star, Havells, and Dixon Technologies.

• Banks – With people spending more, loan and credit demand may rise. Likely gainers: ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, IDFC First Bank.

Experts also believe cheaper goods could help reduce inflation slightly (by about 0.5%).

The Bottom Line

More than 40 listed companies across different sectors are expected to benefit once the new GST slabs are rolled out. The final approval is expected by the GST Council around the third quarter of FY26.

 

Cars, ACs, and TVs to Get Cheaper: Full List of Items Under New GST Cuts

"Cars, ACs, and TVs May Soon Cost Less: Here’s the Full List of Items That Could Get Cheaper with New GST Cuts"

For India’s middle class, where even a small shift in tax rates can make a big difference to household budgets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest announcement comes as good news. The government is planning to simplify the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system by reducing the current four tax slabs of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% into just two — 5% and 18%. A separate higher tax will still apply to luxury and harmful products like tobacco.

 

For everyday consumers, this move could mean real savings. Prices of essential goods and big purchases alike are expected to drop. Items such as clothes and textiles, farm equipment, auto parts, healthcare services, insurance products, and even daily-use items in FMCG and retail could all become more affordable.

This isn’t just a small tax adjustment — it’s a major reset that could boost demand, improve household confidence, and give a push to consumption-driven growth.

 

On Wednesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to address a key meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) from various states, where she will make a strong case for the sweeping GST reforms.

 

“The aim is to present the Centre’s perspective on the reform plan. Even though the Union Finance Minister is not formally part of the GoM, her presence and remarks will help members better understand the Centre’s thinking and vision behind the proposal,” a government source told The Times of India. List

What Could Get Cheaper Under the New GST Regime?

If the proposed GST reforms go through, households can expect relief on several essentials as well as big-ticket purchases. Here’s a look at the key items:

•              Small Cars: Tax rate cut from 28% to 18%

•              Insurance Premiums: Down from 18% to 5% or even zero

•              Daily-use Essentials: From 5% to zero

•              Air Conditioners: From 28% to 18%

•              Televisions: From 28% to 18%

Everyday Items Likely to Shift to the 5% Slab (as per ANI)

•              Tooth powder

•              Bhujia, namkeen, potato chips

•              Ketchup, jam, mayonnaise

•              Packaged juices

•              Pasta, noodles

•              Butter, condensed milk, ghee, cheese

•              Milk-based beverages

Why This Matters

Lower GST rates don’t just mean cheaper prices for consumers. They could set off a chain reaction — reducing logistics costs, simplifying compliance for businesses, and lifting demand for goods that are highly price-sensitive. More demand could, in turn, create jobs.

And at a time when global trade is facing uncertainty due to Trump’s new tariff hikes, India’s move could also make its exports more competitive in international markets.

 

“What are the smart ways stock market traders can lower the tax they pay on profits when filing their income tax return under the new rules?”

What are the smart ways stock market traders can lower the tax they pay on profits when filing their income tax return under the new rules

Stock market traders and investors can significantly reduce their capital gains tax by taking advantage of the set-off and loss carry-forward concept, even under the new tax regime. However, to utilize this concept, you must first understand what type of stock market income is eligible for it. Stock market trading can include equity intraday trading, delivery-based trading of equity shares, and even speculative and non-speculative futures and options (F&O) trading.

How many years can you carry forward and adjust the losses?

The rules for speculative and non-speculative stock market income are different. For non-speculative F&O income, losses can be carried forward for up to eight assessment years. For speculative intraday trading, losses can be carried forward for up to four assessment years.

Explains:

•Under the new tax regime of Section 115BAC of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the adjustment and carry forward of losses arising from stock market trading are allowed, depending on the nature of the trading activity.

•Where business activities are considered non-speculative, such as delivery-based trading carried out during the course of business, the losses incurred can be set off against any major income, including capital gains and income from other businesses (but not against salary income).

•If there is an absorbed loss, it can be carried forward for a maximum of 8 assessment years, provided the income details are filed within the stipulated time and where applicable, the tax audit requirements are met.

•On the other hand, income based on speculation, such as that generated from intraday stock trading, is considered income from speculative business. Losses from speculative business can only be set off against other speculative income in the same year.

        

They cannot be adjusted against other income sources. However, such gambling losses can be carried forward for 4 assessment years and can only be adjusted against gambling income in those years, subject to the condition of timely filing of return.

Long-term capital losses cannot be adjusted against long-term capital gains.

Explains:

• Where the income from stock market trading in securities falls under "Capital Gains", the set-off and carry-forward treatment will follow the rules of capital gains. Accordingly, Short-Term Capital Loss (STCL) can be set off against both short-term and long-term capital gains, while Long-Term Capital Loss (LTCL) is only permitted to be set off against long-term capital gains. Both categories of capital loss can be carried forward for a maximum of 8 assessment years.

The new tax bill 2025 presents a one-time relief scheme that is for short-term and long-term capital loss.

The Income Tax Bill, 2025 has introduced a temporary one-time relief. It allows taxpayers to adjust accumulated short-term and long-term capital losses against any type of capital gains (short-term or long-term) under the new system as of March 31, 2026.

This set-off will be allowed for the 8 assessment years starting from the financial year 2026-27.

Traders and investors in the stock market can significantly reduce their capital gains tax by taking advantage of the set-off and loss carry-forward concept, even under the new tax regime.

 However, to utilize this concept, you must first understand what type of stock market income qualifies for it. Stock market trading can include equity intraday trading, delivery-based trading of equity shares, and even speculative and non-speculative futures and options (F&O) trading.

Check the rules of different types of stock market trading below.

 Share market traders can save taxes by using set-off and carry-forward rules. Intra-head set-off means that you can set off within the same income category, such as losses from capital gains can only be set off against capital gains and not against any other income. How many years can you carry forward and set off losses? The rules are different for speculative and non-speculative share market income. For non-speculative F&O income, losses can be carried forward for eight assessment years. For speculative intraday trading, losses can be carried forward for four assessment years.

Explains:

 •Under the new tax regime of Section 115BAC of the Income Tax Act, 1961, adjustment and carry forward of losses from stock market trading is permitted, depending on the nature of the trading activity.

•Where business activities are considered non-speculative, such as delivery-based trading carried out during the course of business, the losses incurred can be set off against any major income, including capital gains and income from other businesses (but not against salary income).

•If there is an absorbed loss, it can be carried forward for 8 assessment years, provided that the income return is filed within the stipulated time and the tax audit requirements, where applicable, are properly adhered to.

•On the other hand, income based on speculation, such as that arising from intraday stock trading, is considered income from speculative business. Losses from speculative business can only be set off against other speculative incomes in the same year.

They cannot be adjusted against other income sources. However, such estimated losses can be carried forward for 4 assessment years and can only be adjusted against estimated income in those years if the return is filed on time.

Long-term capital losses cannot be adjusted against long-term capital gains.

 Explains:            

•Where the income from stock market transactions is included in 'capital gains', the set-off and carry-forward treatment will adhere to the rules of capital gains. Accordingly, short-term capital losses (STCL) can be set off against both short-term and long-term capital gains, while long-term capital losses (LTCL) are restricted to being set off only against long-term capital gains. 

Capital losses from both categories can be carried forward for a maximum of 8 assessment years. The new tax bill 2025 introduces a one-time relief measure for short-term and long-term capital losses. The Income Tax Bill, 2025 allows for a transitional one-time relief.

 It permits taxpayers to set off accumulated short-term and long-term capital losses as of March 31, 2026, against any type of capital gains (short-term or long-term) under the new regime. Surana states: “This set-off will be allowed for 8 assessment years starting from 2026-27.”

Big Relief on GST: Govt to Cut Down Multiple Tax Rates to Just Two Slabs

Good News on GST! Govt Plans Just Two Tax Slabs Instead of 5-28% Rates      Finance Ministry Reveals Key Details

Big GST Relief Coming Soon!

In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a big Diwali gift to the common man.                                         the burden of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is likely to come down with the next phase of reforms.

PM Modi highlighted that the upcoming GST changes are designed to help ordinary citizens, farmers, the middle class, and small and medium businesses (MSMEs).

According to details shared by the Finance Ministry, the government is considering moving to a two-slab GST system – one standard rate and one lower "merit" rate – along with a few special rates for select items. This will replace the current complicated structure of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% slabs. The final decision is expected in the next GST Council meeting.

On the 79th Independence Day, PM Modi also underlined how GST, introduced in 2017, has been a game-changing reform for the country’s economy.

Key Points on the Upcoming GST Reforms

1.Structural reforms – Making GST simpler and stronger.

2.Rate rationalization – Fewer tax slabs, easier compliance.

Ease of Living – Relief for Consumers and Businesses

The government has already shared its GST reform proposals with the Group of Ministers (GoM) under the GST Council for review. The core idea behind these next-generation GST reforms is to adjust tax rates in a way that benefits everyone – especially the common man, women, students, farmers, and the middle class.

The reforms also aim to end long-standing issues like classification disputes, inverted duty structures, and unstable tax rates. By doing so, the government hopes to make GST simpler, fairer, and more predictable. The bigger picture: a stronger economy, more sectoral growth, and a friendlier environment for doing business.

Key Pillars of the Proposed GST Reforms

1. Structural Reforms https://sktaxlive.blogspot.com/?m=1

• Fixing inverted duty structures (when input tax is higher than output tax) so businesses don’t suffer from credit accumulation and can focus on domestic value addition.

• Streamlining classification rules to reduce disputes, simplify compliance, and create fairness across industries.

• Giving long-term clarity on GST rates and policies to build industry confidence and help businesses plan better.

2. Rate Rationalization

• Lowering taxes on essential and aspirational goods to improve affordability and boost consumption.

• Simplifying the tax structure by moving to just two slabs – standard and merit – with a few special rates for select items.

• Using the fiscal space created by the end of the compensation cess to realign tax rates for long-term sustainability of GST.

These reforms are designed not just as a tax adjustment, but as a roadmap for India’s economic growth, where GST becomes easier to understand, fairer for businesses, and lighter on the common man’s pocket.

3. Ease of Living https://sktaxlive.blogspot.com/?m=1

The government also wants GST to be simpler and hassle-free, especially for small businesses and startups. The focus is on using technology to save time and reduce paperwork.

Key measures being considered include:

• Easy registration: Faster, tech-driven registration processes, designed to be seamless for entrepreneurs and small firms.

• Pre-filled returns: Minimizing manual work and reducing chances of mismatches or errors.

• Quicker refunds: Automated and time-bound refund processing, especially for exporters and businesses facing inverted duty structures. https://sktaxlive.blogspot.com/?m=1

The Centre has shared these reform ideas, built on the three key pillars (structural reforms, rate rationalization, and ease of living), with the Group of Ministers (GoM) for further discussion.

The GST Council will take up the GoM’s recommendations in its upcoming meeting. The government is keen to push for early implementation, so that citizens and businesses can start experiencing the benefits within this financial year itself, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Income tax

Parliament Passes New Income Tax Bill, Replacing Six-Decade-Old Law

 New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) – Parliament on Tuesday passed the Income Tax Bill, 2025, replacing the six-decade-old Income Tax Act, 1961. The new law will come into effect from April 1, 2026.

 

Presenting the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that no new tax rates have been introduced — the focus is purely on simplifying the language to make India’s complex income tax laws easier to understand.

 

The new Bill removes unused provisions and outdated terms, cutting the number of sections from 819 to 536 and chapters from 47 to 23. The total word count has been reduced from 5.12 lakh to 2.6 lakh. 

For the first time, it introduces 39 new tables and 40 new formulas to make the previously dense text of the 1961 law clearer.

 “These changes are not cosmetic — they represent a new, simplified approach to tax administration,” Sitharaman said, responding to a brief debate in the Rajya Sabha, which took place in the absence of the Opposition.

 “This leaner, more focused law is designed to make reading, understanding, and implementation much easier.”

 

Along with the Income Tax Bill, 2025, the House also returned the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to the Lok Sabha, which had passed both Money Bills on Monday.

 

Sitharaman further stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given clear instructions — pandemic or not — that the tax burden on people must not increase.

“We have not increased any taxes,” she said.

She described the taxpayer-friendly Income Tax Act, 2025 — which will replace the 1961 Act — as a milestone for the country’s financial system.

 

“I’m surprised the Opposition doesn’t want to participate. They had agreed in the Business Advisory Committee to debate this Bill in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha,” she said.

 

Often, the Opposition accuses the government of avoiding discussions, she pointed out. “We were ready for discussion — we agreed to 16 hours of debate in the Lok Sabha and 16 hours here in the Rajya Sabha. Where are they today?”

 

Earlier, the Opposition had walked out of the Rajya Sabha, demanding a special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar.

Drafting the new Bill took around 75,000 person-hours, with a dedicated team of Income Tax Department officers working tirelessly on it.

 

The minister informed the House that the Finance Ministry will soon issue a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and an information memorandum to help people understand the new legislation better.

 

She added that ministry officials are now busy framing the rules, which will be kept as simple as the Bill itself.

 

Since the new law will come into effect from April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Department’s computer systems will need to be reconfigured to implement it.

 

Earlier, the Opposition had walked out of the Rajya Sabha, demanding a special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar. 

7 Major Income Tax Changes in 2025 That Could Impact Your Finances

7 Big Income Tax Changes in 2025 That Will Affect Your Money

 The year 2025 has brought several major changes to India’s income tax rules — from a higher tax-free income limit to easier filing deadlines.

 These updates, announced through the Union Budget in February and later government notifications, aim to reduce the tax burden on individuals and make compliance simpler. Knowing about them can help you save money and avoid penalties. Let’s look at the seven most important changes.

 

1. Higher Tax-Free Income Limit

In a major relief for taxpayers, the government has increased the tax-free income limit under the new tax regime to ₹12 lakh. With the standard deduction of ₹75,000, salaried individuals can now earn up to ₹12.75 lakh without paying any tax. This is one of the biggest steps taken to ease the burden on the middle class.

 

2. More Time to File Your Income Tax Return

For non-audit cases, the ITR filing deadline has been extended from 15 July to 15 September 2025. Announced in May, this change gives taxpayers extra time due to system upgrades and aims to make the filing process smoother.

 

3. Double the Time for Filing an Updated Return (ITR-U)

If you’ve made a mistake in your tax return or missed reporting some income, you now have 48 months instead of 24 months to file an updated return (ITR-U). This extended period also allows you to claim a refund for up to four years.

 

4. New Income Tax Bill Passed

In August 2025, Parliament passed a new Income Tax Bill, replacing the old 1961 Act. This marks a major overhaul of India’s tax laws.

5. No More ‘Deemed Rent’ on Vacant Property

If you own a self-occupied or vacant property, you no longer have to declare any ‘notional rent’ as income. This change is especially helpful for government employees who often have to leave properties vacant due to frequent transfers.

 

6. Bigger Relief for Senior Citizens

For those aged 60 and above, the tax exemption limit on interest income under Section 80TTB has been doubled — from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. This will reduce tax liability for many retirees who rely on interest earnings.

 

7. Higher TDS Limit on Rent

The annual rent threshold for deducting TDS has been raised from ₹2.4 lakh to ₹6 lakh. This means fewer people will need to deduct tax on small and medium rent payments.

 

In short, from raising tax-free limits to simplifying rules and extending deadlines, the 2025 tax changes are designed to make life easier for taxpayers. But to get the most out of these benefits, it’s important to stay informed, plan your finances well, and file your returns on time.

Key Highlights of the Revised Income Tax Bill

 

1. ‘Tax Year’ Replaces ‘Assessment Year’

The Bill defines the tax year as the 12-month financial year (April 1 – March 31), removing the old confusion of “previous year/assessment year.” Now, all income earned in a financial year will be taxed in the same “tax year,” making filing simpler.

 

2. No Change in Tax Rates or Slabs

The Bill intentionally leaves existing tax rates and slabs unchanged. The current basic exemption limit and tax brackets remain the same, ensuring continuity for taxpayers.

 

3. Massive Simplification

The length of the law has been cut in half. Overlapping provisions have been merged, and outdated terms removed. For example, multiple sub-sections and legacy cross-references have been replaced with clear tables and sub-clauses. The structure has been reorganized from 47 chapters to 23, and from hundreds of scattered provisions to 536 well-structured sections.

 

4. Unified Deductions

Multiple deductions (like Sections 80C–80U) are now grouped under a single heading — “Deductions in Computing Total Income” — so taxpayers can see all benefits in one place. Notably:

 

Standard deduction on house property is now clearly allowed on rent after municipal tax deduction.

 

Pre-construction home loan interest can now be spread over five years, even for rental properties.

 

These clarifications remove many of the grey areas from the previous law.

5. Digital and Faceless Compliance

The Bill formally codifies the faceless tax system. Assessments, appeals, and notices will now be conducted mainly online, with clear timelines. 

TDS/TCS rules have also been simplified — for example, taxpayers can apply for a ‘zero’ deduction certificate before the start of the year, and even small refunds can be issued after the deadline without penalties.

 

6. NRI Residency Rules

The income-threshold test has been made official. An Indian citizen or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who stays in India for 120 days (+60 days) in a year will be treated as a resident if their Indian income exceeds ₹15 lakh.

 On the other hand, NRIs earning less than ₹15 lakh in India are exempt from this stricter 60-day rule. In short, high-income NRIs now face tougher criteria to qualify as non-residents.

 

7. Rules for Trusts and Charities

Restrictions on anonymous donations to religious trusts have been eased. The Bill fully restores tax exemption on “anonymous” donations for religious institutions (but still restricts them for charities engaged in social services). This change rewards genuine religious trusts while maintaining transparency.

 

8. Other Amendments

 

Deduction for inter-corporate dividends (Section 80M) has been reinstated.

 Standard pension re-commutation deduction remains intact.

 Rules for carrying forward corporate losses have been made more flexible for “beneficial owners,” following committee recommendations.

key Tax Changes in the Income Tax Bill 2025: Pension, Property, Zero TDS, and More

Commuted Pension, House Property Income, Zero TDS, and Other Changes in the Income Tax Bill 2025

The latest version of the Income Tax Bill, 2025 fixes several drafting errors and will take effect from April 1, 2026, for the financial year 2026–27. These corrections address issues related to zero TDS certificates, standard deductions on house property income, tax deductions on commuted pensions for non-employees, and more.

In this article, we summarise some of the key corrections made in the revised Income Tax Bill, as addressed by the Finance Minister.

On Monday, the Lok Sabha passed the updated Bill, which fixes errors in the earlier draft that could have caused refund issues for taxpayers, made TDS rules more complicated, and restricted certain property-related deductions. Experts say these amendments restore clarity, bring the law in line with long-standing provisions, and help avoid unnecessary litigation.

For individual taxpayers, the main updates include:

•   Refunds for late or revised ITRs

•   Zero TDS certificates

•   Standard deductions on house property income

•   Deductions on pre-construction interest for home loans

Zero TDS Certificates

In April 2025, Wealth Online, with help from EY, highlighted an error in the Bill.

Section 197 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 allowed for both “nil” and “lower” deduction certificates. However, the parallel Section 395 in the Income Tax Bill, 2025 removed the explicit mention of “nil” deduction and only referred to “lower” deduction.

Examples of taxpayers who may need a zero TDS certificate include:

•  Individuals with income below the basic exemption limit of ₹2.5 lakh (old regime) or ₹3 lakh (new regime) for those under 60 years of age

•  Taxpayers with income up to ₹12 lakh eligible for full rebate under Section 87A

•  NRIs claiming DTAA benefits

While one could argue that “nil” is included within “lower” deduction, the lack of clarity created interpretation issues — especially when a zero rate was intended but not explicitly stated.

To avoid such ambiguity and operational challenges, the revised Bill restores the original language from Section 197 of the 1961 Act into Section 395 of the 2025 Bill. Experts say this will provide much-needed relief and prevent unnecessary disputes.

Tax Deduction on Commuted Pension

explains that under Section 10(10A)(iii) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, read with Section 10(23AAB), the law grants full tax exemption on commuted pension payments received from approved pension funds — not just for employees, but also for others, regardless of employment status.

If you want, I can now rewrite the rest of this text in the same clear, human-friendly English so that the whole article flows smoothly without technical jargon. That will make it ready for a blog or news post.

ommuted Pension – Relief for Non-Employees

Originally, Clause 19 of the Income-tax Bill 2025 gave tax exemption on commuted pension only to salaried employees.

This meant people who get pension from approved pension funds but are not employees (like independent contributors or nominees) were left out.

The Select Committee spotted this gap and suggested adding a deduction under Income from Other Sources for such non-employees.

In the revised Bill, Section 93(1)(g) was added — allowing a full deduction on commuted pension for non-employees receiving it from approved pension funds.

The goal is to treat both salaried and non-salaried pensioners equally, in line with the old Income-tax Act, 1961.

This is not a tax exemption but a tax deduction, so the amount is reduced from taxable income instead of being completely ignored for tax purposes.

Standard Deduction on House Property

If you earn income from a house property, you get a standard deduction of 30% on the net annual value after deducting municipal taxes paid.

The new Bill clarifies that this calculation will be done after subtracting municipal taxes — same as the existing Income-tax Act, 1961.

Pre-Construction Interest for Let-Out Properties

Under the current law, interest paid on a home loan for a property (self-occupied or rented) during the pre-construction period can be claimed in five equal yearly installments starting from the year construction finishes.

The first draft of the new Bill only allowed this benefit for self-occupied houses — not rented ones.

The Committee flagged this as unfair and recommended restoring it for rented/deemed rented properties as well.

The revised Bill now gives the benefit for both self-occupied and rented properties, matching the existing law.

Anonymous Donations to Charities

In the February draft of the Bill, the 5% tax exemption for anonymous donations was calculated as 5% of anonymous donations, not 5% of total donations.

This would have greatly reduced the tax-free amount for many non-profits.

The Committee recommended restoring the original method — 5% of total donations — and this change has been included in the revised Bill, bringing it back in line with the current law.

Tax Rules for Vacant Commercial Property

Under the current Income-tax Act, if a property is used (or meant to be used) for business, it’s taxed as business income — not as “Income from House Property.”

Also, the “deemed rent” rule for vacant properties applies only to residential properties, not commercial ones.

In the first draft of the new Bill, only occupied commercial properties were excluded from house property tax.

This wording could have let tax officers treat vacant commercial properties (like idle warehouses, factories, or showrooms) as “deemed rented” and tax them unfairly.

The Committee recommended keeping the same wording as the current law so both occupied and vacant commercial properties are excluded.

This change prevents unnecessary disputes, avoids unfair taxation, and ensures the law matches business realities.

If you like, I can now also turn this into a short, easy-to-read news-style summary so it’s digestible in under 2 minutes. That would make it perfect for readers who just want the highlights.