CBDT Revises Form 169 & Form 171 Under Income Tax Rules 2026

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has revised Form 169 (application for registration as a valuer) and Form 171 (application for registration as an authorised income-tax practitioner) under the Income-tax Act, 2025. These changes, notified via Notification No. 120/2026/F. No. 370142/30/2026-TPL dated 17th September, 2026, introduce updated declaration formats, enhanced eligibility documentation, and provisions for pre-filled information to streamline the registration process for valuers and tax practitioners.

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Quick Summary

• Notification No. 120/2026/F. No. 370142/30/2026-TPL dated 17th September, 2026 amends the Income-tax Rules, 2026
• Form 169 substituted for valuer registration under section 514 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (30 of 2025)
• Form 171 substituted for authorised income-tax practitioner registration under section 515 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (30 of 2025)
• Rule 246(4) and Rule 256(4) deadline extended from 30th September, 2026 to 31st March, 2027
• Both forms now include structured declaration sections and annexure requirements for educational qualifications
• Some information in the forms will be pre-filled to the extent possible as per the notification

What has changed in Form 169 for valuer registration under section 514?

The substituted Form 169 also asks for the class of asset for which registration is sought, qualification details, valuation experience for the previous three years, and whether the applicant is registered as a valuer under the Wealth-tax Act, 1957. A separate Form 169 is required for each class of asset. The form carries a ₹10,000 application fee, except that no fee is required for valuers already registered under the Wealth-tax Act, 1957.

Form 169, governed by rules 246 and 247 of the Income-tax Rules, 2026, has been completely substituted under Notification No. 120/2026. The revised form is now titled “Application for registration as a valuer under section 514 of Income-tax Act, 2025 (30 of 2025)”.

The new format requires applicants to furnish particulars including PAN and make a formal declaration. The declaration mandates that the valuer will make impartial and true valuations, furnish reports in the prescribed form, charge fees at rates not exceeding those prescribed by the Board, and not undertake valuation of any asset in which the applicant has a direct or indirect interest.

The form includes a verification clause with place and date fields, and the declaration explicitly states that the information is correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge and belief. This aligns with the powers conferred under section 533 read with sections 262, 273, 413, 514 and 515 of the Income-tax Act, 2025.

What are the new requirements in Form 171 for authorised income-tax practitioner registration?

Form 171, governed by rules 256 and 257, has been substituted for registration as an authorised income-tax practitioner under section 515(3)(a)(v) or (vi) or (vii) or (viii) of the Income-tax Act, 2025. The form is now addressed to the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Income-tax.

The revised Form 171 includes Part A for applicant details with fields for mobile number and country code. Part B contains a structured declaration section requiring details of prescribed educational qualifications in free text format, with mandatory attachment of true copies of certificates as annexures.

Applicants must disclose whether they are already registered as authorised income-tax practitioners under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The form also requires declaration of any disqualification under section 515(4) or (5) or (7) of the Income-tax Act, 2025, with specific provisions for permanent disqualification or time-bound disqualification to be specified.

The notes to the form specify that first, middle, and last names must be provided in full without abbreviations. The address must contain country/region, flat/door/building, road/street/block/sector, PIN/ZIP code, post office, area/locality, district, and state, and may also include DIGIPIN. Annexure requirements include true copies of educational certificates, valid registration certificates, and any other eligibility-related documents.

What does the Rule 246(4) and Rule 256(4) deadline extension mean for pending applications?

Notification No. 120/2026 also amends Rule 246(4) and Rule 256(4) of the Income-tax Rules, 2026, substituting the figures “30th September, 2026” with “31st March, 2027”. This extension provides a six-month window beyond the original deadline for compliance actions governed by this rule.

For valuers and tax practitioners with pending registration applications or compliance obligations under Rules 246 and 256, this means additional time to gather documentation, complete verification, and submit applications without facing procedural delays or rejection due to timeline constraints.

How do the revised forms compare with earlier requirements?

The table below summarises the key structural changes introduced in Form 169 and Form 171 under Notification No. 120/2026/F. No. 370142/30/2026-TPL:

Practical impact: Timeline for a valuer registration application

Consider a chartered accountant applying for registration as a valuer under section 514 of the Income-tax Act, 2025. Under the revised Form 169, the applicant must now furnish PAN, provide a structured declaration covering impartiality and fee compliance, and sign the verification. If the applicant previously held registration under the 1961 Act, the new form requires explicit disclosure of that status.

Suppose the applicant’s compliance obligation under Rule 246(4) and Rule 256(4) was originally due by 30th September, 2026. Post-notification, the deadline now stands extended to 31st March, 2027. This gives the applicant approximately six additional months to complete the registration process, gather educational certificates as annexures, and ensure the declaration meets the four mandatory undertakings specified in the revised Form 169. The pre-filled information feature further reduces data entry time, potentially which may reduce data-entry effort where the relevant information is already available to the department for applicants whose PAN and existing registration details are already in the department’s database.

What documents are needed for Form 169 and Form 171 applications?

For Form 169, the applicant must furnish their PAN and execute a structured declaration under rules 246 and 247 of the Income-tax Rules, 2026. The declaration must explicitly state the valuer’s commitment to impartiality, adherence to the prescribed fee ceiling under section 514 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the absence of any direct or indirect interest in the assets being valued. While the form itself is concise, applicants must ensure their PAN details are accurate, as the notification indicates that some information will be pre-filled to the extent possible.

For Form 171, the documentation requirements are more extensive due to the annexure mandate outlined in the notes to the form. Applicants must attach specific annexures corresponding to row 10 of Part B. Annexure A-1 requires a true copy of the educational qualification certificate mentioned in row 10(i)(b). Annexure A-2 requires a valid registration certificate if the applicant is already registered as an authorised income-tax practitioner under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). Annexure A-3 requires any other details supporting eligibility as mentioned in row 10(iii). Additionally, the form mandates a full eight-component address, including country/region, flat/door/building, road/street/block/sector, PIN/ZIP code, post office, area/locality, district, and state, though DIGIPIN remains optional.

Who is eligible to apply for valuer and tax practitioner registration under the new rules?

Eligibility for the authorised income-tax practitioner registration under Form 171 is strictly governed by section 515(3)(a)(v) or (vi) or (vii) or (viii) of the Income-tax Act, 2025. The applicant must certify that they have been practising before income-tax authorities for not less than one year. Furthermore, the applicant must declare that they have not made any prior application for registration under the Income-tax Act, 2025 to any other Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Income-tax.

Crucially, eligibility is barred if the applicant faces disqualification under section 515(4) or (5) or (7) of the Income-tax Act, 2025. The revised Form 171 requires the applicant to explicitly declare their disqualification status. If disqualified, they must specify whether the disqualification is permanent or time-bound, citing the specific legal provision—including the provisions specified in the form. For valuers applying under Form 169, eligibility depends on the criteria in section 514 and Rule 247, together with the required declarations and supporting information.

For Form 171, the documentation requirements are more extensive. Applicants must attach Annexure A-1 (true copy of educational certificate), Annexure A-2 (valid registration certificate if previously registered under the Income-tax Act, 1961), and Annexure A-3 (any other eligibility-related details). The form explicitly requires disclosure of whether the applicant has been disqualified under section 515(4) or (5) or (7) of the Income-tax Act, 2025, and if so, whether such disqualification is permanent or time-bound with a specific end date.

What are the common compliance pitfalls when filing revised Form 169 and Form 171?

Despite the streamlined format, applicants frequently encounter rejection or queries due to avoidable errors. The table below outlines the most common pitfalls observed in practice and the corresponding preventive measures under the revised framework:

How should tax practitioners transition from the 1961 Act to the 2025 Act registration?

A significant practical concern involves chartered accountants, company secretaries, and advocates who hold valid authorisation under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The revised Form 171 requires disclosure of such existing registration in row 10(ii)(a). Practitioners must attach Annexure A-2 containing the valid registration certificate from the earlier regime.

The transition mechanism under section 515(3)(a) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 permits registration under clauses (v), (vi), (vii), or (viii), which correspond to existing practitioners with varying years of experience. However, the notification does not explicitly state whether existing registrations automatically carry forward or require fresh application. Practitioners should file Form 171 at the earliest to avoid any gap in their authorisation to appear before income-tax authorities.

For practitioners with pending matters, the substituted dates in Rule 256(4) provide additional time up to 31 March 2027 for the compliance covered by that provision. The extension should not be interpreted as a blanket renewal of every 1961 Act registration or as an automatic continuation of authorisation; the individual applicant should verify the applicable transition rules.

Worked example: Tax practitioner registration timeline and cost impact

Consider a chartered accountant, aged 35, who has been practising before income-tax authorities for three years under the Income-tax Act, 1961. She now applies for registration as an authorised income-tax practitioner under section 515(3)(a)(v) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 using revised Form 171.

Scenario A — Application filed by original deadline (30th September, 2026):

If the applicant’s earlier registration certificate is not valid, the applicant should first establish the applicable transition and eligibility position and provide the documentation required by the revised Form 171. The notification itself does not prescribe a universal 45–60 day renewal period.

Scenario B — Application filed under extended deadline (31st March, 2027):

With the deadline extended to 31st March, 2027 via Notification No. 120/2026, the practitioner gains six additional months. She can now renew her 1961 Act certificate (if expired), gather educational credentials, and prepare the comprehensive address documentation required. The pre-filled information feature reduces her data entry burden for PAN and personal details, which may reduce data-entry effort where information is already available to the department.

The practical benefit of the extended deadline is additional time to assemble and verify the required information. The notification does not prescribe a particular professional-fee saving or guarantee that an application will be accepted merely because it is filed before 31 March 2027.

What Should You Do Next?

If you are a valuer or tax practitioner seeking registration under the Income-tax Act, 2025, immediate action is required to align with the revised forms. Follow these steps:

• Download the latest Form 169 or Form 171 from the official Income Tax portal to ensure you are using the version substituted under Notification No. 120/2026/F. No. 370142/30/2026-TPL dated 17th September, 2026
• Gather your PAN details and educational qualification certificates, as true copies must be attached as annexures to Form 171 under the revised notes to the form
• Prepare your address in the eight-component format: country/region, flat/door/building, road/street/block/sector, PIN/ZIP code, post office, area/locality, district, and state; include DIGIPIN if available
• Review your disqualification status under section 515(4), (5), or (7) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 before applying for Form 171, as the revised form requires explicit disclosure of permanent or time-bound disqualification
• Note the extended deadline of 31st March, 2027 under Rule 246(4) and Rule 256(4) for any pending compliance obligations, replacing the earlier 30th September, 2026 cutoff
• For Form 169, ensure your declaration covers all four mandatory undertakings: impartial valuation, prescribed form reporting, fee ceiling compliance under section 514, and no direct or indirect interest in assets valued
• Verify pre-filled information accuracy before submission, as the notification states that some information will be pre-filled to the extent possible

Frequently Asked Questions

September 2026 Update: What Notification No. 120/2026 Actually Changes

Notification No. 120/2026 was issued on 17 September 2026. It is the Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026. Rules 2 to 4 are deemed effective from 1 April 2026, while rules 5 to 8 take effect on publication in the Official Gazette. The notification substitutes Form 169 and Form 171 and changes the relevant deadlines in Rule 246(4) and Rule 256(4) from 30 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. It does not, by itself, state that every existing practitioner registration automatically carries forward.

Sources

• Income Tax Portal — Notification No. 120/2026 (Form 169 & Form 171 Revision)
• Income Tax India — FAQs on Forms as per Income-tax Rules, 2026
• Income Tax India — Income-tax Rules, 2026
• Income Tax India — Draft Income-tax Forms 2026
• Income Tax Portal — Notified Income-tax Rules, 2026 (Original Notification)

If you are a valuer or tax practitioner seeking registration under the Income-tax Act, 2025, review the revised Form 169 and Form 171 requirements immediately. Gather your educational certificates, verify your PAN details for pre-filled accuracy, and ensure your declaration addresses all four mandatory undertakings under section 514 or the disqualification disclosure under section 515. The extended deadline of 31st March, 2027 under Rule 246(4) and Rule 256(4) provides a window, but early compliance avoids last-minute procedural hurdles.