SP & SC Journal
Indian tax, legal & compliance insights
Practitioner-grade guides on income tax, GST, company law, property, and civil practice — written to help you decide, not to sell you a package.
Income Tax Login: How to Access the E-Filing Portal (2026 Guide)
Step-by-step income tax login on incometax.gov.in using PAN, Aadhaar OTP or net banking, plus first-time registration, password reset and fixes for common login errors.
TDS on Rent: Section 194-IB and 194-I Rules, Rates and Due Dates
When tenants must deduct TDS on rent, the current 2% rate under 194-IB, Form 26QC filing and penalties for missing it.
TDS on Purchase of Goods under Section 194Q: Thresholds, Rate and Worked Example
Section 194Q for buyers with turnover above ₹10 crore: 0.1% TDS on purchases above ₹50 lakh per seller, what changed after TCS 206C(1H) was withdrawn, and filing steps.
GST TCS for E-commerce Operators Under Section 52
E-commerce operators collect GST TCS on sellers' net taxable supplies and report it in GSTR-8. The rate, how sellers claim the credit, and fixing mismatches.
Rent Agreement Registration in Karnataka: Stamp Duty, Process and 11-Month Rule
How rent and lease agreements are stamped and registered in Karnataka, why 11-month agreements are common, and when registration matters.
Is Agricultural Income Taxable in India? Rules and Partial Integration
Agricultural income is exempt under Section 10(1), but it can still raise the tax on your other income. What counts as agricultural income, partial integration and how to report it.
ASMT-10 Notice: How to Reply to GST Return Discrepancies
An ASMT-10 notice flags mismatches in your GST returns. What it means, how to reply in ASMT-11 within 30 days, and how to avoid escalation to a demand notice.
Multiple GST Registrations: Branches, Warehouses and Additional Places
GST registration is state-wise. When a new branch needs a separate GSTIN, when to add an additional place of business, and how inter-branch supplies are taxed.
Udyam (MSME) Registration: Eligibility, Limits and Benefits
A plain guide to free Udyam registration: revised MSME limits, documents, step-by-step process and the benefits worth claiming.
Partition Deed in Karnataka: Registration, Stamp Duty Basics and Family Settlements
How co-owned family property is divided in Karnataka — partition deed vs family settlement, when registration is compulsory, documents, and khata transfer afterwards.
How Discounts Are Treated Under GST
Discounts on the invoice reduce GST value. Post-sale discounts do so only if agreed in advance and linked to invoices. Section 15(3), credit notes and a worked example.
GST Reverse Charge on Security and Manpower Services
If your business hires a security agency that isn't a company, you must pay the GST under RCM. Our guide explains the rules and how to comply correctly.
Trademark Objection Reply: Section 9 and 11 Objections Explained
What a trademark examination report means, how to reply to Section 9 and Section 11 objections, and what happens at the hearing.
TCS on Foreign Remittance Under LRS: Rates and Refunds
Learn about Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on foreign remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), including the latest rates and thresholds.
Non-Disclosure Agreements in India: What to Include and What Courts Enforce
A well-drafted NDA protects trade secrets, client lists and business plans. Mutual vs one-way NDAs, essential clauses, stamp duty and what Indian courts will enforce.
GST Show Cause Notice Under Section 73 and 74
A GST show cause notice (SCN) under Section 73 or 74 alleges unpaid tax. Section 73 is for non-fraud cases; Section 74 is for fraud. Responding correctly is key.
Startup India (DPIIT) Recognition: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply
Who qualifies for DPIIT startup recognition, the tax and IPR benefits it unlocks, and the online application steps.
Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023: What Businesses Must Do
A practical guide for Indian businesses on the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, covering key obligations, consent requirements, and penalties.
How Dividends Are Taxed in India After 2020
Since 2020, dividends in India are taxed at your slab rate. Companies deduct 10% TDS on payouts over ₹5,000. Learn how to report this income correctly.
Blocked Input Tax Credit under Section 17(5): Cars, Food, Construction and More
The GST credits you can never claim — motor vehicles, food and beverages, club memberships, construction of immovable property — with the exceptions that matter.
Trademark Registration in India: Process, Fees and Timeline
Step-by-step trademark registration in India: search, class selection, TM-A filing, examination, publication and the real timeline.
Standard Deduction for Salaried Employees: ₹75,000 Explained
For FY 2025-26, salaried individuals and pensioners can claim a flat ₹75,000 standard deduction under the new tax regime, reducing their taxable income.
Government Loan Schemes for MSMEs: CGTMSE and Mudra
A guide to India's top MSME loan schemes, CGTMSE and Mudra. Understand how to get collateral-free business loans and boost your small business growth.
New vs Old Tax Regime FY 2025-26: Which Saves You More?
A side-by-side comparison of the new and old income tax regimes for FY 2025-26, with break-even deduction levels and worked salary examples.
Reviving a Defaulting Company: Compounding and Condonation
Compounding of offences is a legal mechanism under the Companies Act, 2013, allowing companies to settle certain defaults by paying a penalty, thereby avoiding prosecution.
TDS on Contractor Payments Under Section 194C
TDS under Section 194C applies at 1% or 2% on payments to contractors above ₹30,000 per bill or ₹1 lakh a year. Who deducts, what counts as work, and transporter relief.
Section 80U and 80DD: Tax Deductions for Disability
Claim flat tax deductions up to ₹1,25,000 for disability under Section 80U (self) or 80DD (dependent). This guide covers eligibility, amounts, and required documents.
Section 87A Rebate FY 2025-26: ₹60,000 Rebate and Marginal Relief Explained
Who gets the Section 87A rebate, how the ₹12 lakh limit works, and how marginal relief protects income just above it.
ITC on Capital Goods Under GST
Businesses can claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on capital goods like machinery and computers under GST. This guide explains the rules, conditions, and how to claim it in your GSTR-3B.
Rectification under Section 154: How to Fix an Income Tax Intimation
When CPC gets it wrong: which errors qualify as "mistakes apparent from record", the four-year limit, and a step-by-step online rectification request.
Maternity Benefit Act: Employer Obligations
A guide for Indian employers on their legal obligations under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, including 26 weeks paid leave, crèche facilities, and non-termination rules.
Sovereign Gold Bonds: Interest, Maturity and Tax Rules
Learn how Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) interest is taxed, why capital gains on maturity are tax-free, and the tax implications of selling SGBs prematurely.
Annual General Meeting Rules for Private Companies
Every private limited company in India must hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. This guide covers the key rules, deadlines, and procedures to ensure compliance.
Clubbing of Income: When Spouse or Child Income Is Added to Yours
Clubbing of income means adding the income of your spouse or minor child to your total income for tax calculation, a rule designed to prevent tax avoidance on gifted assets.
ITR for Salaried Employees With Share Trading Gains
Salaried individuals with capital gains from shares must file either ITR-2 or ITR-3. This guide explains which form applies, tax calculations, and common pitfalls.
Property Mutation in Karnataka: How to Transfer the Khata After Buying
After buying property in Karnataka, the revenue or municipal record must be updated in your name. How mutation works for BBMP khata and rural RTC, documents and timelines.
Income Tax Benefits for Senior Citizens in India
Senior citizens in India get special tax benefits, including a higher basic exemption, deductions up to ₹50,000 for health expenses and interest income.
Private Limited vs One Person Company: Which to Choose
Choosing between an OPC and a Private Limited Company? An OPC is for solo founders seeking limited liability, while a Pvt Ltd is for teams planning to raise funds.
GST Checklist for Startups in Their First Year
Our essential GST checklist for first-year startups covers when to register, how to issue correct invoices, which returns to file, and how to claim ITC.
Salary Restructuring to Save Tax Under the New Regime
Under the default new tax regime, most deductions are gone. However, smart salary restructuring using NPS, meal coupons, and other perquisites can still lower your tax.
Inoperative PAN: Consequences and How to Reactivate
An inoperative PAN can block major financial transactions. Understand the consequences, how to check your status, and the steps to reactivate your PAN by linking it with Aadhaar.
Missed the ITR Deadline? Belated Return under Section 139(4) Explained
What happens after the due date: the 31 December last date for a belated return, late fee under 234F, interest under 234A and the losses you lose forever.
Section 80TTA and 80TTB: Deduction on Interest Income
Section 80TTA allows a tax deduction of up to ₹10,000 on savings interest, while Section 80TTB offers up to ₹50,000 for senior citizens on savings and deposit interest.
CARO 2020: Which Companies and What Is Reported
Learn which companies must comply with the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2020 (CARO 2020) and the specific matters auditors must report on.
GST on Advances Received: Goods vs Services and Refunds
GST applies on advances for services at the time of receipt, but not on advances for goods since 2017. Receipt vouchers, adjustments and what to do if the deal is cancelled.
GST on Free Samples, Gifts and Promotional Items
Learn the GST treatment for free samples, gifts, and 'Buy One, Get One' offers. If you claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on goods given for free, you must reverse it.
Tax on Lottery, Online Game and Prize Winnings (Sec 115BB, 194BA)
Winnings from online games, lotteries, and contests are taxed at a flat 30%. Understand TDS rules under Sec 194BA and your reporting obligations.
DIR-3 KYC: Annual Director KYC Filing Explained
Every director with a DIN must complete KYC through DIR-3 KYC or DIR-3 KYC-Web. Due date, who files which form, the ₹5,000 late fee and what happens if you miss it.
Minimum Wages in Karnataka: How Employers Stay Compliant
Employers in Karnataka must pay minimum wages as set by the state. This guide explains how to classify employees, calculate wages, and maintain records to ensure compliance.
Section 50C: When Stamp Duty Value Overrides Sale Price
Section 50C is a deeming provision in the Income-tax Act where the Stamp Duty Value (SDV) of a property is considered its sale price for capital gains calculation if it exceeds the actual price.