Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Income Tax Department’s Srinagar office hosted a comprehensive awareness programme on the New Income Tax Act, 2025 on Monday, bringing together taxpayers, trade associations, and professional bodies in a structured dialogue aimed at building understanding of the sweeping legislative changes that will reshape India’s direct tax framework from the 2026-27 financial year.
The event was hosted by Monika Dhami, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Srinagar, and featured as its chief guest Dr. G.S. Phani Kishore, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax for the Amritsar Region, who delivered the keynote address. The gathering drew participation from taxpayers and representatives of a range of industry and professional bodies, including the Bar Association, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cold Storage Association Srinagar, and the CII Chapter Srinagar.
In his keynote, Dr. Kishore outlined the principal objectives and key provisions of the New Income Tax Act, 2025, which is scheduled to come into effect from April 1, 2026. He explained that the legislation represents a fundamental rethinking of the direct tax code, aimed at reducing complexity that has built up over decades of incremental amendments to the existing Income Tax Act, 1961. The new framework seeks to remove redundant provisions, consolidate dispersed rules into a more logical structure, and present the law in language that is clearer and more accessible to the average taxpayer.
A detailed technical presentation on the broader legislative changes was delivered by Shakil Ahmad Ganie, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Srinagar, who walked participants through specific provisions of the Act.
The programme also featured a dedicated session on the Kar Saathi chatbot, presented by Abhineet Jhorar, Income Tax Officer. The chatbot, accessible through the official Income Tax Department website, is designed to allow taxpayers to raise queries and access services online without needing to visit a physical office.
An interactive Q&A session gave participants the opportunity to raise practical concerns, with questions centering on TDS provisions, outreach initiatives, and day-to-day compliance matters.
