The new Income Tax Act, which came into effect from April 1, 2026, has introduced several important changes to the tax system. One of the biggest updates is the renaming
and restructuring of many old tax forms. Taxpayers will now need to understand these new names and numbers while filing their returns.
Major Changes in Salary and TDS Forms
The most noticeable changes have been made in salary-related forms. The widely used Form 16, which is essential for salaried individuals, has now been renamed as Form 130.
Similarly, Form 26AS, which earlier provided a detailed record of tax deductions, has been replaced by a new system called Form 168. This new form will include all important tax-related details in one place.
Several other forms have also been renamed:
Form 16A is now Form 131
Form 10E (used for arrears relief) is now Form 39
Forms related to foreign remittances and TDS have also been updated:
Forms 15G and 15H are now combined under Form 121
Form 15CA is now Form 145
Form 15CB is now Form 146
New TDS Return Forms and Changes in Deductions
The government has also introduced new numbering for TDS return forms:
Form 24Q is now Form 138
Form 26Q is now Form 140
Form 27Q is now Form 144
Along with this, some important tax deduction rules have also been updated. The popular Section 80C, which allowed deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh, has now been renamed as Section 123, but the benefits remain the same.
Property-related TDS forms have also been updated:
Form 26QB and 26QC are now Form 141
What Taxpayers Should Keep in Mind
With so many changes in form names and section numbers, taxpayers may face some initial confusion. It is important to stay updated with these new changes to avoid mistakes while filing Income Tax Returns (ITR).
Understanding the new system properly will help ensure smooth and error-free tax filing in the future.
