In the Union Budget 2026 (presented in February 2026), the Government of India introduced a major relief measure for motor accident victims.
Effective from April 1, 2026, interest awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) will be entirely tax-free and exempt from Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) for individuals.
Key Changes (Effective April 2026)
The core objective of this change is to guarantee that victims receive the entire compensation award without any tax reduction. It is based on the principle that such interest constitutes rehabilitative payment for delays in the judicial process, not standard income.
| Feature | Before April 2026 | From April 1, 2026 onwards |
| Taxability of Interest | Taxable under "Income from Other Sources" | Fully Exempt from Income Tax |
| TDS Requirement | 10% TDS was mandatory if interest exceeded ₹50,000 | No TDS applicable regardless of the amount |
| Eligible Persons | N/A | Individuals and their legal heirs |
| Scope of Award | Only principal was tax-free | Both Principal & Interest are tax-free |
Important Details
- Legal Foundation: This change was introduced via an amendment to the Income Tax Act, as part of the new framework announced to replace the 1961 version.
- Eligible Recipients: The exemption is available to individuals ("natural persons") and their
legal heirs. It is not available to non-individual entities such as companies or institutions. - Simplified Process: Previously, accident victims often had to file an income tax return solely to claim a refund for the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) by insurers. Starting April 2026, the insurance company will disburse the full settlement amount—both principal and interest—directly to the claimant, eliminating the refund hassle.
- Scope of Exemption: The exemption applies to interest received as part of a compensation award for death, permanent disability, or bodily injury.
Conclusion
In essence, the reforms regarding interest on motor vehicle-related payouts, effective from April 2026, serve as a major tax simplification and relief measure.
By eliminating taxes on these specific benefits, the government has essentially made them truly tax-free, removing the burden of "fictional" income calculations. To maximize this advantage, individuals should ideally time relevant applications for the 2026-27 financial year or later to ensure they benefit from the full scope of the new exemptions under the Income-tax Act, 2025.
Key takeaways of this rephrased measure include:
- Tax Elimination: Removes the tax liability on interest-related benefits that were previously treated as taxable income.
- Administrative Ease: Eliminates complex calculations for what was often viewed as a "notional" or fictional benefit.
- Strategic Timing: Recommends deferring specific financial moves to post-April 1, 2026, to align with the new legislative cycle.
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