Form 10IE was required to opt for the new tax regime when the old tax regime was the default, applicable for AY 2021-22 to AY 2023-24. From AY 2024-25 onwards, since the new tax regime is the default, taxpayers must file Form 10IEA to opt for the old tax regime.
Index
Form 10-IEA: Option to Choose Old Tax Regime | How to Fill & Submit Form 10IEA Online?
Taxpayers having business or professional income can choose the old tax regime through filing Form 10IEA, for AY 2026-27 (FY 2025-26).
Key Highlights
- Mandatory for taxpayers with business or professional income (filing ITR-3 or ITR-4).
- Must be submitted online before the ITR filing deadline.
- Option to choose the old regime can be exercised only once in a lifetime.
What is Form 10-IEA?
Form 10-IEA is useful for individuals or HUFs to continue utilizing the old tax regime in the present financial year. It was presented by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. The new tax regime is considered the default tax regime.
By filling Form 10-IEA, taxpayers can choose the old tax regime if they wish. They must complete the form before the due date prescribed for filing an income tax return.
Who must submit Form 10-IEA for FY 2025-26?
- This form is to be filed by taxpayers having income from business or profession i.e. taxpayers filing ITR using ITR-3 or ITR-4.
- Taxpayers who do not have income from business or profession can simply tick the “Opting out of new regime” in the ITR form without the need to file Form 10-IEA.
- The following table shows different situations in which Form 10IEA needs to be filed
| Scenario | Choice of Regime was in FY 2024-25 | Choice of Regime For FY 2025-26 | Form 10-IEA Requirement |
| Switching to Old Regime | New Regime | Old Regime | Yes – Must submit Form 10-IEA |
| Staying in Old Regime | Old Regime | Old Regime | No |
| Switching to New Regime | Old Regime | New Regime | Yes – Must submit Form 10-IEA |
| First-time filing under the Old Regime (For FY 2025-26) | Old Regime | Yes – Must submit Form 10-IEA | |
| First-time filing under the New Regime (For FY 2025-26) | New Regime | No |
Form 10-IEA Due Date
- It is mandatory to submit Form 10-IEA online before the deadline prescribed for filing the income tax return.
- Note that after filing Form 10-IEA, you will get an acknowledgement number. The acknowledgement number is important for tracking the status of Form 10-IEA and referencing it in future communication.
- An individual needs to mention this number while filing an ITR.
How to File Form 10-IEA?
Follow these steps for filing Form 10-IEA online:
- Login on the e-filing portal
- On the dashboard, click ‘e-File’ > ‘Income tax forms’ > ‘File Income Tax Forms’
- Scroll down to select Form 10-IEA. Alternatively, enter Form 10-IEA in the search box. Click on ‘File now’ button to proceed.
- Select the Assessment Year for which you are filing the return. Please note that the assessment year refers to the year next to financial year.
- After checking the documents required for filing the form click on 'Let's Get Started'.
- Select "Yes" if you have Income under the head “Profits and gains from business or profession” during the assessment year. Select the due date applicable for filing of return of income and click on continue. Note: Use “help document” for the help for selecting the applicable due date.
- Click ‘Yes’ to confirm the selection of the regime.
- Form 10-IEA has 3 sections. Verify and Confirm each section. They are as follows:
- Basic Information: In Basic Information section, your basic information will be pre-filled. If you are filing form for the first time then opting out option will be auto-selected and if system has valid form with opting out option, then re-entering option will be auto-selected. Click on ‘Save’ button.
- Additional Information: Fill the necessary details in Additional information section related to IFSC unit (if any) and click on ‘Save’. If you are opting out of new Tax regime this Additional Information panel will be greyed off
- Declaration and Verification: Verification section contains self-declaration where you will be required to check the boxes and agree to the terms and conditions. Verify whether all the details are correct and save the information. Once done, click on ‘Preview’ to review Form 10-IEA.
- After reviewing all the information, ‘Proceed’ to e-verify'. You can e-verify either through:
- Aadhaar OTP
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- Electronic Verification Code (EVC)
- After verification Click on 'Yes' to submit the Form.
- After successful e-Verification, a success message is displayed along with a Transaction ID and an Acknowledgement Receipt Number. Please keep a note of the Transaction ID and Acknowledgement number for future reference. You can also download the form and locate the acknowledgment number.
To download the filed form, go to ‘e-File’ → 'Income Tax Forms' → 'View Filed Forms'.
Details to fill in 10-IEA
Before going through the steps to fill Form 10-IEA online, you must know what details are to be filled out. The following section outlines the details an individual must fill in this form.
- Taxpayers should provide their full name exactly as per the one mentioned on the PAN card and other relevant official documents.
- To choose the old tax regime, it is vital to mention the applicable assessment year. Note that the assessment year would follow the fiscal year under assessment. For example, if a person chooses the old tax regime in FY 2025-26, the applicable assessment year is AY 2026-27.
- Taxpayers should also mention whether they are discontinuing or re-entering the default tax regime. The corresponding decision influences the tax deductions, tax rates, and exemptions made for their income.
- It is mandatory to mention the dates for discontinuing a tax regime and entering into another one.
- It is necessary to confirm whether the individual has income under the head of “Profits and Gains of Business and Profession.".
- It must be confirmed in ‘yes/no’ whether the taxpayer has any unit in IFSC (International Financial Service Centre) as specified in sub-section (1A) of Section 80LA. If that answer is ‘Yes,’ the taxpayer should provide the details of the unit.
- A taxpayer also needs to mention his/her address, date of birth, type of business/profession (compulsory in case of business income), information on the Form 10-IE filed previously, and declaration.
Click here to download the form 10-IEA in pdf format.
Here’s a picture sample of Form 10-IEA:
Why is Form 10-IE discontinued?
- Before the introduction of Form 10-IEA, Form 10-IE was considered valid to choose the new tax regime. However, it has now been discontinued due to the adoption of the new tax regime as the default tax regime.
- The discontinuation of Form 10-IE allows the taxpayer to choose the old tax regime by filing Form 10-IEA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if an individual doesn’t submit the Form 10-IEA timely?
Why is it vital to precisely mention the dates for opting out and choosing the new regime?
Is it allowed to file tax returns under a new tax regime if an individual has opted for the old tax regime?
What does the filing process of Form 10-IEA mandate?
Should I file Form 10IEA every year to choose new regime?
Can I file Form 10IEA before the due date and file belated return under the new regime?
What is the difference between 10IEA and 10IE?
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