Income Tax Basics
The Income-tax Act, 2025, tax year, residential status, heads of income and old vs new sections.
5 guides · read in order or jump to what you need
01
Income-tax Act, 2025: what changed and when
The new Act replaced the 1961 Act from 1 April 2026. What is new, what is the same, and which law applies to which year.
02
Old vs new section numbers: quick reference
The 1961 sections people use most, and where they now sit in the Income-tax Act, 2025.
03
Residential status: resident, RNOR and non-resident
The day-count tests, the RNOR middle status, and why status decides what income is taxed in India.
04
The five heads of income and how total income is built
Salary, house property, business, capital gains and other sources, and the path from gross income to tax payable.
05
Income from other sources: interest, dividends, gifts and winnings
Which incomes fall under 'other sources', how each is taxed, the TDS on them, and the gift rules.