CBDT Notifies Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026: Key Changes for Valuers and Tax Practitioners
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified the Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026, bringing a set of changes to the Income-tax Rules, 2026. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, on 17 September 2026.
The amendments primarily cover provisions relating to valuers and authorised income-tax practitioners, along with changes to certain procedural provisions and registration timelines.
Changes in Rules 160, 176 and 225
The Fourth Amendment Rules make several technical and procedural changes to the Income-tax Rules, 2026.
Under Rule 160, references in sub-rules (3) and (4) have been changed from the earlier numbering format "(i)" to "(a)".
Rule 176 has also been amended. The phrase "by affixing digital signature" has been replaced with "by way of an electronic communication" in the specified provision.
Further amendments have been made to Rule 225, including the omission of certain clauses and sub-rules and changes to references concerning arrest and detention.
Valuer Registration Timeline Extended to 31 March 2027
One of the notable changes is the revision of the date mentioned in Rule 246(4).
The earlier date of 30 September 2026 has been replaced with 31 March 2027. A similar change has been made under Rule 256(4), extending the specified date from 30 September 2026 to 31 March 2027.
This change is particularly relevant to the procedural framework for registration as a valuer and as an authorised income-tax practitioner under the Income-tax Act, 2025.
New Form 169 for Valuer Registration
The CBDT has substituted Form No. 169, which is used for applications for registration as a valuer under Section 514 of the Income-tax Act, 2025.
The revised form requires applicants to provide personal information, PAN, contact details and the class of asset for which registration is being sought. Applicants must also provide details of their educational qualifications, previous employment, professional practice and valuation experience.
The form also asks applicants to provide details of their valuation experience during the previous three years and whether they are already registered as a valuer under the Wealth-tax Act, 1957.
Asset Classes Covered
The revised Form 169 provides for registration across different asset classes, including:
- Immovable property
- Agricultural land
- Coffee, tea, rubber or cardamom plantations
- Forests
- Mines and quarries
- Stocks, shares, debentures and securities
- Machinery and plant
- Jewellery
- Works of art
- Life interest, reversions and interest in expectancy
- Any other asset
The notification states that a separate form is required for registration for different classes of assets.
The application is also required to be accompanied by a Rs 10,000 fee. However, no fee is required where the valuer is already registered under the Wealth-tax Act, 1957.
Declaration and Responsibilities of Valuers
The revised Form 169 also contains a declaration that sets out key responsibilities of a registered valuer.
The applicant has to declare that they will undertake an impartial and true valuation, submit the valuation report in the prescribed form, charge fees within the rates prescribed by the Board and avoid valuing assets in which they have a direct or indirect interest.
Revised Form 171 for Authorised Income-tax Practitioners
The CBDT has also substituted Form No. 171, relating to registration as an authorised income-tax practitioner under Section 515 of the Income-tax Act, 2025.
The revised application captures details such as the applicant's name, gender, PAN, residential address, contact information and principal place of profession in India. Applicants must also disclose whether they are partners in a firm and, where applicable, provide the firm's name and PAN.
The application further requires details of prescribed educational qualifications and supporting certificates. It also asks whether the applicant was already registered as an authorised income-tax practitioner under the Income-tax Act, 1961.
Eligibility and Disqualification Details
Form 171 requires applicants to provide information relating to possible disqualification under the specified provisions of Section 515.
Applicants have to indicate whether they have been disqualified from applying for registration and, where applicable, provide information about the period or nature of the disqualification.
The applicant must also certify that they have been practising before income-tax authorities for not less than one year and have not previously submitted an application under the Income-tax Act, 2025 for registration as an authorised income-tax practitioner to another Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Income-tax.
What the Fourth Amendment Means
The Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026 update the procedural framework introduced under the Income-tax Act, 2025. For professionals dealing with valuation work or seeking registration as authorised income-tax practitioners, the revised forms provide the updated application structure and documentation requirements.
The extension of the specified dates under Rules 246 and 256 from 30 September 2026 to 31 March 2027 is also an important procedural change to take note of.
The amendments were notified through Notification No. 120/2026, dated 17 September 2026. The notification also notes that the Income-tax Rules, 2026 were originally notified on 20 March 2026 and were last amended through notification dated 24 July 2026.
Key Takeaways
- CBDT notified the Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026 on 17 September 2026.
- The specified dates under Rules 246(4) and 256(4) have been extended from 30 September 2026 to 31 March 2027.
- A revised Form 169 has been introduced for valuer registration under Section 514.
- A revised Form 171 has been introduced for authorised income-tax practitioner registration under Section 515.
- Valuer registration applications require details of qualifications and valuation experience.
- A Rs 10,000 application fee applies to the valuer registration form, subject to the stated exemption for existing Wealth-tax Act-registered valuers.
- Separate applications are required for different classes of assets.
- The revised forms include provisions for electronic submission and supporting documentation.
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