The Income Tax Department, Coimbatore, in association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Coimbatore Branch, organised an awareness programme titled “PRARAMBH – 2026” today at ICAI Bhawan, Coimbatore.
The programme aimed to create awareness among taxpayers, Chartered Accountants, business organisations and stakeholders regarding the newly introduced Income Tax Act, 2025 and Income Tax Rules, 2026.
The new Income Tax Act, 2025, which came into effect from April 1, 2026, marks a major reform in India’s direct taxation system. The legislation has been simplified and restructured with emphasis on clarity, ease of understanding, transparency and taxpayer convenience.
Former ICAI President CA. Ramasamy delivered the welcome address and highlighted the importance of spreading awareness among professionals and taxpayers at a time when the new tax law has come into force.
Diwakar Prasad, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax–1, Coimbatore, delivered the felicitation address. He explained the evolution of direct tax reforms in India and stressed the need for a simplified, transparent and taxpayer-friendly tax framework.
The programme was presided over by Sanjeev Shankar, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Coimbatore. In his address, he spoke about Coimbatore’s growing economic significance and the importance of modernising tax laws in line with changing economic and technological developments.
He also explained the key features of the Income Tax Act, 2025, including:
- Simplified legal structure and plain language
- Faceless and digital-first compliance systems
- Rationalisation of tax rates and exemptions
- Improved transparency and dispute resolution mechanisms
A detailed technical session on “Income Tax Act, 2025 – An Overview” was conducted by Ilamurugan, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Non-Corporate Range 2, Coimbatore.
The session included comparative explanations between the erstwhile Income Tax Act, 1961 and the new Income Tax Act, 2025.
During the programme, two taxpayer assistance initiatives — “Kar Setu” and “Kar Saathi” — were introduced. “Kar Setu” is a curated FAQ repository designed to help taxpayers and professionals transition smoothly from the old tax regime to the new law, while “Kar Saathi” is an AI-powered chatbot providing real-time support on tax-related queries.
An interactive question-and-answer session was also held, during which Income Tax Department officials clarified various practical and implementation-related queries raised by participants.
CA. Survajit Krishnan, Chairman, ICAI Coimbatore Branch, stated that Chartered Accountants play a vital role in creating awareness among taxpayers regarding the new Income Tax Act and appreciated the collaborative initiative between ICAI and the Income Tax Department.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Senthilkumar, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Range, Coimbatore.
The programme witnessed participation from Chartered Accountants, tax professionals, representatives of business organisations, trade associations and taxpayers from across the Coimbatore region.
Participants appreciated the initiative for its informative and interactive approach towards taxpayer education and awareness.
