The review has led to a substantial reduction in the Act’s volume, making it more streamlined and navigable.
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, February 13, 2025: The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Income-Tax Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha. The Income-tax Bill, 2025 was tabled in Parliament today, marking a significant step toward simplifying the language and structure of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
The simplification exercise was guided by three core principles:
The Government ensured widespread stakeholder engagement, consulting taxpayers, businesses, industry associations, and professional bodies. Out of 20,976 online suggestions received, relevant suggestions were examined and incorporated, where feasible. Consultations were held with industry experts and tax professionals and simplification models from Australia and the UK were studied for best practices.
Outcomes of the Simplification Exercise Quantitative
The review has led to a substantial reduction in the Act’s volume, making it more streamlined and navigable. Key reductions are summarized below:
Item | Existing Income-tax Act, 1961 | Proposed in the Income-tax Bill, 2025 | Change (Reduction/Addition) |
Words | 512,535 | 259,676 | Reduction: 252,859 words |
Chapters | 47 | 23 | Reduction: 24 chapters |
Sections | 819 | 536 | Reduction: 283 sections |
Tables | 18 | 57 | Addition: 39 tables |
Formulae | 6 | 46 | Addition: 40 formulae |
Qualitative Improvements
The Income-tax Bill, 2025 reflects the Government’s commitment to enhancing ease of doing business by providing a tax framework that is simple and clear.