Direct Tax
Section 90 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 – India-Qatar DTAA Agreement Notification
Notification G.S.R. 789(E) [NO. 154/2025/F.NO. 504/6/2004-SO-FTD-II(2)] Dated 24 October 2025
CBDT has notified the Agreement and Protocol signed between India and Qatar on 18 February 2025 for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion. Once this new agreement becomes effective the earlier DTAA signed on 7 April 1999 shall cease to have effect.
- Agreement entered into force on 10 September 2025.
- Agreement and Protocol applicable in India for income arising on or after 1 April of FY 26-27.
- It covers taxation of income from immovable property, business profits, shipping, dividends, interest, royalties, capital gains, personal services, pensions, etc.
- Provides for elimination of double taxation, non-discrimination, exchange of information, assistance in collection of taxes, and entitlement to treaty benefits.
Section 120, r.w.s 154 and 156 of the Act – Authorization to CPC for Rectification and Demand Notices
Notification S.O. 4901(E) [NO. 155/2025/F. NO. CB/362/2025-O/O ADDL. DIT 6 CPC BENGALURU] Dated 27 October 2025
The CBDT, through Notification No. 155/2025, dated 27 October 2025, has authorized Commissioner of Income Tax, Centralized Processing Centre (CPC), Bengaluru to rectify u/s 154 mistakes apparent form record and issue subsequent demand notices.
Mistakes apparent from record includes errors like incorrect computation of tax, refund, or demand, non-consideration of prepaid tax credit or eligible reliefs and faulty interest calculation under Section 244A the Act. Additionally, the Commissioner is authorized to issue a notice of demand under Section 156 in such cases. The notification also includes allowing the Commissioner to delegate these functions and powers to subordinate tax authorities, specifically the Additional Commissioners or Joint Commissioners of Income-tax, who can further delegate them to Assessing Officers subordinate to them.
Indirect Tax
Customs
Auto-approval of Incentive Bank Account and IFSC Code Registration requests across all customs locations
Circular No.24/2025-Customs Dated 7 October 2025
CBIC has introduced system-based auto-approval for Incentive Bank Account and IFSC registration requests under one IEC, once the same combination is approved at any Customs location. Aimed at expediting disbursal of IGST refunds and duty drawbacks, the requests would not be routed to the Port officer for manual approval. The existing submission workflow remains unchanged, and all approved requests will continue to be validated through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for accuracy and compliance.
CBIC consolidates effective rates for imported goods; Supersedes 31 exemption Notifications w.e.f. 1 November
Notification No. 45/2025-Customs Dated 24 October 2025 r/w Corrigendum Dated 31 October 2025 and FAQs
As a trade friendly measure, the CBIC has merged erstwhile Notification No. 50/2017-Customs and 30 other standalone Notifications which granted exemptions/concessions on imported goods w.e.f 1 November 2025. While the existing customs duty/IGST exemptions & concessions continue, the Board has carried out two minor changes as below.
- Sr. No. 5 of Notification No. 39/96-Customs dated 23 July 1996 has been modified to provide duty exemption on the supplies by Air India Engineering Services Limited (M/s AIESL) and it now covers three specific B-737 and two specific B-777 aircrafts maintained and operated by Indian Air Force.
- S. No. 166A of Notification No. 50/2017-Cus which had prescribed 5% BCD for bulk drugs used in the manufacture of Poliomyelitis Vaccine (inactivated and live) and Monocomponent Insulins has been removed.
CBIC notifies regulations and conditions for voluntary revision of entries post clearance under Section 18A
Circular No. 26/2025-Customs Dated 31 October 2025 r/w Notification Nos. 68/2025-Customs (NT), 69/2025-Customs (NT), 70/2025-Customs (NT) and 71/2025-Customs (NT) Dated 30 October 2025
- CBIC has notified Customs (Voluntary Revision of Entries Post Clearance) Regulations, 2025 under Section 18A of the Customs Act. Some salient features of the regulations are as follows.
- The importer or exporter or authorized person can file an electronic application for revised entry or revised entry cum refund at the port where customs duty was paid. The application should contain only those entries for revision which were made under one bill of entry/shipping bill/bill of export etc. during clearance.
For this purpose, the Board has designated Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Customs as the proper officer. Moreover, a fee of INR 1000 has been levied by way of Levy of Fees (Customs Documents) Amendment Regulations, 2025.
It is emphasized that the revision of entries is not allowed for cases where customs audits, searches, seizures, or investigations are already initiated, as well as cases where reassessment of duty under Section 17 or assessment under Section 18 or 84 of the Customs Act, has been done. Additionally, revision will not be allowed under IGCR Rules 2022 wherein a provision of clearance of unutilized or defective goods on voluntary payment of duty with interest has been specified; as well as in cases where the export obligations are not fulfilled under EPCG and Advance Authorization Schemes.
MOOWR application facility on Invest India portal to remain operational till 15 November
Circular No. 27/2025-Customs Dated 31 October 2025
The existing online facility hosted by Invest India shall continue to remain operational up to 15 November 2025, for receipt of applications under MOOWR/MOOSWR scheme.
The CBIC-hosted digital module for submission of MOOWR/MOOSWR applications is under final stages of testing. Until then, the applications submitted through Invest India portal may continue to be processed by the jurisdictional Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs in accordance with extant legal provisions and instructions.
Communication to taxpayers through e-Office - requirement of DIN
Circular No. 23/2025-Customs Dated 23 September 2025
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has streamlined the verification of official communications with taxpayers wherein communications sent via CBIC’s e-Office “public option” will now carry a unique “Issue number” that can be verified online at https://verifydocument.cbic.gov.in, thereby eliminating the need for a separate DIN.
The system confirms details such as file number, issue date, type of communication, issuing office, and masked recipient information. For other communications outside this system, quoting of DIN remains mandatory.
Foreign Trade Policy
DGFT expands registration criteria for Source from India service on Trade Connect e-Platform
Trade Notice No. 15/2025-26 Dated 29 October 2025
The eligibility for registration of Indian exporters on “Source from India” service in Trade Connect e-Platform has been revised w.e.f. 01 November 2025. Now, all valid IEC holders with minimum export realization of USD 100,000 in any of the past three financial years can create their microsites on Source from India, in addition to status holders.
Due date for filing Annual RoDTEP Returns extended to 30 November
Public Notice No. 24/2025-26 Dated 3 October 2025
The date for filing Annual RoDTEP Return for FY 2023-24 has been extended to 30 November 2025 in the interest of export promotion and ease of doing business.