The Statutory Brief

IT Act 1961 → 2025 / Section 197A

TDS

Section 197A → Section 393(6)

Form 15G/15H: no TDS where estimated tax is nil

Section 197A of the old Income-tax Act, 1961 · new section 393(6) under the Income-tax Act, 2025

New reference Section 393(6) (Form 15G/15H declarations)

Income-tax Act, 1961Section 197A

  • Resident individuals declare nil tax to avoid TDS on interest, dividend, rent, etc.
  • 15H for senior citizens; 15G for others
  • 15G not valid if income exceeds the basic exemption limit

Applies to FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) and earlier years.

Income-tax Act, 2025Section 393(6) (Form 15G/15H declarations)

  • Section 393(6), Table: declarations for no TDS
  • Covers interest, dividend, rent, units, insurance commission, life insurance, EPF
  • Non-seniors cannot use it if income exceeds the basic exemption limit
  • From 1 April 2027: may be filed electronically with a depository (Finance Act 2026)

Applies from tax year 2026-27 (from 1 April 2026).

What changed

Renumbered. From 1 April 2026 payers forward declarations quarterly to the prescribed authority (393(7)); from 1 April 2027 declarations for listed securities and units held in demat may also be filed through a depository (393(6)(b)).

Practice notes

  • Form numbers under the 2026 Rules may differ from 15G/15H; check the new form names.

These are summaries, not the statutory text. Read the bare Act for both sections on the Income Tax Department's official site, which also has a side-by-side comparison utility.

Frequently asked

Where are Form 15G and 15H in the new Income Tax Act 2025?

Section 393(6) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (old 197A).

What is section 197A called in the new Income-tax Act, 2025?

Section 197A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 corresponds to Section 393(6) (Form 15G/15H declarations) of the Income-tax Act, 2025, which applies from 1 April 2026 (tax year 2026-27).

What changed in section 197A under the new Income Tax Act?

Renumbered. From 1 April 2026 payers forward declarations quarterly to the prescribed authority (393(7)); from 1 April 2027 declarations for listed securities and units held in demat may also be filed through a depository (393(6)(b)).

Is section 197A still applicable for FY 2025-26?

Yes. Income of FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) and earlier years is governed by section 197A of the 1961 Act. Section 393(6) (Form 15G/15H declarations) of the 2025 Act applies from tax year 2026-27.

Related sections

194A→393TDS on interest other than interest on securities (FD, RD, loans)194→393TDS on dividends paid by domestic companies197→395Certificate for lower or nil TDS