New Form 97 and Form 98 (previously known as Form 60 and Form 61)

Key Insights 

1. India's CBDT will replace Forms 60 and 61 with Forms 97 and 98 under the Income Tax Act, 2025, to simplify the process for those without a PAN card.

2. According to the Income-tax Act, 1961, Forms 60 and 61 require manual filing every six months, which is why the the annually filings are approximately 12.5 crore.

CBDT introduces Form 97 and Form 98 to replace tax forms that have been used for decades.

Previously, Form 60 and Form 61 have been used for tax declarations since 1961.

Under the Income Tax Act, 1961, anyone who received a declaration in Form No. 60 had to file a half-yearly statement to the Income Tax Department using Form No. 61. 

This rule will continue under the new system, but in an updated format. 

Enters a New Tax Era: Simplified Declarations Without a PAN for Indian People

This Tax Era change is part of a greater effort under the Income Tax Act, 2025, to decrease the mistakes, disputes, and costs for everyone. 

The new forms come with simpler language, standard pre-filled formats, and technology to make things simple for Indian people.

Year by year, these changes should make India’s tax system simple, cleaner, faster, and more transparent.  

In the short term, some taxpayers, especially in rural or semi-urban areas, take advantage of new forms, but this can be confusing for those who don’t have reliable digital access.

How These Changes Will Affect the Common People of India?

The new tax forms in India will make things very simple for millions of people who do not have a PAN card.

Simpler forms will enable millions of Indian citizens, banks, and businesses nationwide to comply with the rules.

What Do Experts Say? A Practical Solution for a Complex Problem

Experts explain that these changes are a complete update, not just a change in numbering. 

Tax professionals say that for any proceedings, assessments, notices, TDS certificates, and filings for the Financial Year 2025-26.

The old forms under the Income Tax Rules, 1962, will still be used. People should visit the income tax e-filing portal for the latest updates and to download the new forms.

Conclusion

India’s move from Forms 60/61 to Forms 97/98 is a major step toward a simpler, more technology-focused tax system. There may be some short-term challenges, but over time, reducing mistakes and simply keeping will benefit millions of Indians.