New Provision
Section 488, IT Act 2025
Replaces (IT Act 1961)
278C
Chapter
Chapter XXI — Offences and Prosecutions
Effective From
1 April 2026
Statutory Text — Section 488
here an offence under this Act has been committed by a Hindu undivided family, the karta thereof shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. (2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall render the karta liable to any punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. (3) Irrespective of anything contained in sub-section (1) and (2), where an offence under this Act, has been committed by a Hindu undivided family and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any member of the Hindu undivided family, such member shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Shahi & Co. — Our Understanding
This section is part of Chapter XXI of the Income Tax Act, 2025, effective from 1 April 2026. It carries forward the corresponding provision from the Income Tax Act, 1961 with simplified language and restructured drafting.
Practical Note: For specific guidance on how this provision applies to your situation, consult a qualified Chartered Accountant. The Income Tax Act, 2025 retains the substance of the old law while making it more accessible.
Shahi & Co., Chartered Accountants
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Disclaimer: This is a reproduction of Section 488 of the Income Tax Act, 2025 (No. 30 of 2025) as published in the Official Gazette of India (CG-DL-E-22082025-265620) for informational and reference purposes only. Shahi & Co., Chartered Accountants makes no warranty as to completeness or accuracy. For the official authenticated text refer to
egazette.gov.in or
incometaxindia.gov.in. This does not constitute legal or tax advice.