TaxationUpdates.com
Form 10-IEA & Regime Switching Reference
S. 115BAC · Income-tax Act 1961 · Rule 21AGA · FY 2023-24 → FY 2024-25 → FY 2025-26
64
Scenarios Mapped
3
Financial Years
Free
ITR 1 & 2 Always
1
Can't Opt Scenario
🧭
Form 10-IEA · Smart Regime Finder
Select your ITR form & regime year by year — get your exact Form 10-IEA & switching position instantly. Skip any year you did not file.
S. 115BAC · Rule 21AGA
1
FY 2023-24
2
FY 2024-25
3
FY 2025-26
Result
🎯 Starting Point
Which year did you first file an ITR?
Only years relevant to you will be shown — no unnecessary questions
🔍
64 / 64
Quick
FY 23-24
FY 24-25
FY 25-26
Switch Restrict.
FY23 ITR
64 of 64 rows showing all scenarios
← Swipe left/right to see all columns →
# FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25) FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
ITR Form Regime 10-IEA? Switch ITR Form Regime 10-IEA? Switch ITR Form Regime 10-IEA? Switch
YESRequired / restriction
NONot required / free
Can't OptS. 115BAC(6)(ii) — permanently blocked
New RegimeDefault from FY24
Old Regime10-IEA needed (biz)
📖 Legal Provisions & Key Rules — S. 115BAC · Rule 21AGA · Finance Act 2025
S. 115BAC(1A)
New Regime as Default — from FY 2023-24
New Tax Regime u/s 115BAC is the default regime from AY 2024-25 for individuals, HUFs, AOPs, BOIs & artificial juridical persons. No action needed to stay in New Regime.
S. 115BAC(6) r/w RULE 21AGA
Form 10-IEA — Who Files & When
Persons with income from business or profession (ITR-3 / ITR-4 filers) must file Form 10-IEA to opt out of New Regime and choose Old Regime. This is a formal intimation to the Assessing Officer.
💡 Salaried taxpayers (ITR-1, ITR-2) — Form 10-IEA is never required. Simply select regime at ITR filing. Free to switch every year with zero restrictions.
S. 115BAC(6)(ii) — MOST CRITICAL
One-Time Irreversible Switch-Back Rule
A business taxpayer who opts Old Regime via Form 10-IEA can switch back to New Regime — but only ONCE in their lifetime. After switching back, the Old Regime option is permanently and irrevocably lost.
⛔ THE ONLY "CAN'T OPT" SCENARIO (1 of 64):

FY 2023-24 → ITR 3/4, Old Regime (filed Form 10-IEA)
FY 2024-25 → ITR 3/4, New Regime (one-time switch back used up)
FY 2025-26 → ITR 3/4, Old Regime → PERMANENTLY BLOCKED under S. 115BAC(6)(ii)
FY 2025-26 — FINANCE ACT 2025
No Change in Switching Rules for AY 2026-27
Finance Act 2025 made no amendments to S. 115BAC(6) or Rule 21AGA. New Regime remains default. Form 10-IEA still required. One-time switch-back restriction continues.
Finance Act 2025 enhanced New Regime benefits (revised slabs, ₹75,000 standard deduction, rebate u/s 87A up to ₹12.75 lakh tax-free) — but the switching mechanism is unchanged.
PROCEDURE — AY 2026-27
Form 10-IEA Deadline
Must be filed on or before due date u/s 139(1). Late or belated filing = New Regime applied by default.
Non-audit cases: 31 August 2026  |  Tax audit cases: 31 October 2026  |  Transfer pricing cases: 30 November 2026
Disclaimer: For educational & professional reference only. Based on S. 115BAC of the Income-tax Act, 1961, Rule 21AGA, and Finance Acts up to Finance Act 2025. Verify with latest CBDT notifications. Not legal advice. Consult a qualified Chartered Accountant. © TaxationUpdates.com
❓ How to Use This Tool
🔀
Smart Finder — Flowchart Wizard
Start by telling the tool which year was your first ITR filing. The flowchart then shows only the years relevant to you — skipping years with no filing history. Each node explains why that year matters before asking your choice.
📋
Master Table — All 64 Rows
View every scenario at once. Use Filter buttons (ITR group, FY25 regime, ⚠ Can't Opt) and the Search box to instantly narrow down. Filters are combinable — e.g. ITR 3&4 + FY25 Old.
📁
First Filed Before FY 2023-24
Full 3-step flow shown: FY 2023-24 → FY 2024-25 → FY 2025-26. All switching history is relevant. The tool checks for the one critical "Can't Opt" scenario — S. 115BAC(6)(ii).
🆕
First Filed in FY 2024-25
FY 2023-24 is automatically skipped (shown greyed out). Only FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 are asked. No risk of S. 115BAC(6)(ii) permanently blocking you — that requires FY 2023-24 history.
First Filing is FY 2025-26
Both earlier years are skipped. A single question determines your position. Zero restrictions apply — you have no prior switching history. ITR 1/2: always free. ITR 3/4 + Old Regime: file Form 10-IEA by deadline.
The Only "Can't Opt" Scenario
ITR 3/4 Old Regime FY23 → ITR 3/4 New Regime FY24 → ITR 3/4 Old Regime FY25 = PERMANENTLY BLOCKED. One-time switch used in FY24. S. 115BAC(6)(ii). Only possible if you filed in FY 2023-24.
📅
Reading the Badges
YES = Action required / restriction applies

NO = Not required / no restriction

Can't Opt = Permanently blocked by law
💡
Quick Memory Rule
🟢 ITR-1/2 = Always Free
🔴 ITR-3/4 = Form + Restrictions
Old→New→Old = Permanently Blocked
First-year filer = Zero restrictions