Notification No. 120/2026, issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 17 September 2026, introduces the Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026. The amendments modify certain provisions of the Income-tax Rules, 2026 and replace Form No. 169 and Form No. 171.
Key Amendments
- Amendments to Rule 160
References in sub-rules (3) and (4) are corrected by replacing “(i)” with “(a)”. - Amendment to Rule 176
The phrase “by affixing digital signature” has been replaced with “by way of an electronic communication”, changing the specified mode of communication. - Amendments to Rule 225
Several changes have been made, including omission of clause (c) of sub-rule (4), changes to references and terminology, and omission of specified sub-rules (75) to (83) and (91). The words “except arrest and detention” have also been removed from sub-rule (87). - Extension of Date under Rule 246
The date 30 September 2026 has been extended to 31 March 2027 under Rule 246(4). - Extension of Date under Rule 256
Similarly, the date 30 September 2026 has been extended to 31 March 2027 under Rule 256(4).
Replacement of Form No. 169
Form No. 169 has been substituted for applications for registration as a valuer under Section 514 of the Income-tax Act, 2025.
The revised form covers:
- Personal information and PAN
- Asset class for which valuation registration is sought
- Educational qualifications and employment details
- Experience as a valuer
- Existing registration under the Wealth-tax Act, 1957
- Grounds of disqualification
- Verification and declaration
The form also specifies 11 classes of assets, including immovable property, agricultural land, forests, mines and quarries, machinery and plant, jewellery, works of art and other assets. A ₹10,000 fee is prescribed, except for valuers already registered under the Wealth-tax Act, 1957.
Replacement of Form No. 171
Form No. 171 has also been substituted for applications for registration as an authorised income-tax practitioner under Section 515 of the Income-tax Act, 2025.
The revised form requires details relating to:
- Personal information
- Gender, PAN and residential addresses
- Contact details and principal place of profession
- Partnership in a firm, where applicable
- Prescribed educational qualifications
- Existing registration as an authorised income-tax practitioner
- Eligibility-related information
- Disqualification under Section 515
- Declaration and verification
Applicants must also provide specified supporting documents as annexures.
Effective Dates
Rules 2 to 4 are deemed to have come into force from 1 April 2026, while Rules 5 to 8 come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
In brief: Notification No. 120/2026 mainly makes procedural and textual amendments to the Income-tax Rules, extends specified deadlines to 31 March 2027, and introduces revised application forms for valuers and authorised income-tax practitioners.