Income tax
Income-tax Act, 2025: what changed on 1 April 2026 and what stayed the same
India has a new income tax law from 1 April 2026. Most rates and rules carry over, but the language, section numbers and the way years are named…
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Plain-English guides to income tax, GST, salary and money in India, organised by topic and checked against official sources.
Tax rules in India changed in an important way on 1 April 2026, when the Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the Income-tax Act, 1961. Our guides tell you which law and which year each explanation applies to, so you never have to guess whether something is out of date.
Choose a topic below to start. Each topic page brings together the main guides, related questions and the calculators that go with them.
How income tax works in India under the Income-tax Act, 2025 and, for earlier years, the 1961 Act: slabs, regimes, deductions, TDS, advance tax and filing your return.
Goods and Services Tax explained for freelancers, consultants and small businesses: registration, invoicing, exports and returns.
GST
GST registration for freelancers: when you need it and when you do not
Not every freelancer needs GST registration. Here is how the turnover threshold works, what counts towards it, and how GST treats work for clients outside India.
Tax and money guides for India's freelancers and independent professionals, including those paid by clients abroad.
Freelancers
Presumptive taxation for freelancers and professionals: Section 58 explained
If you earn professional fees, a simpler tax scheme may let you treat half your receipts as profit without detailed expense accounts. Here is who can use it,…
Understand your salary slip, CTC, take-home pay, allowances, Form 16 and the tax deducted by your employer.
Guides for this topic are being written.
Product-neutral guides to how investing works in India: shares, mutual funds, index funds, ETFs, SIPs and building a portfolio. No tips, no picks.
Investing
How to Start Investing: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide for India
A plain-language, five-step guide for first-time investors in India, from setting goals and building an emergency fund to opening accounts, choosing simple investments and managing risk.
Investing
What Is Compound Interest? How Your Money Grows Over Time
Compound interest means your returns start earning returns of their own. Here is how it works, with simple rupee examples and why starting early makes such a difference.
Investing
SIP vs Lump Sum: Which Way of Investing Works Better?
Investing all at once gives your money more time in the market. Investing monthly through a SIP smooths your entry and is easier to stick with. Here is…
Clear, product-neutral explanations of saving, borrowing, insurance and planning for life in India.
Personal finance
What Is an Emergency Fund and How Much Do You Really Need?
An emergency fund is the cash cushion that protects your income, investments and peace of mind. Here is how to work out your number and where to keep…
Personal finance
How Much Should You Invest Each Month? A Simple Rule Explained
Two simple rules of thumb can help you decide how much of your monthly income to invest. Here is how they work in rupees, and how to adapt…
Tax residency, NRE and NRO accounts, income from India and filing obligations for non-resident Indians.
Guides for this topic are being written.
Compliance, accounting and tax basics for small businesses and sole proprietors in India.
Guides for this topic are being written.