Archive · 16 Jan 2026
ICAI Proposes Joint Tax Filing for Married Couples
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has suggested a new way for married couples to file their taxes together.
Right now, each person files their taxes separately, which can be unfair for families where only one person earns money.
The ICAI thinks that if couples could file together, they could get a bigger tax break, up to ₹8 lakh instead of ₹4 lakh.
This would make things simpler and fairer for many families.
However, there are some challenges, like changing the tax system to make this work and ensuring that high-income couples don't pay more than they should.
The idea is still being discussed and is not yet a rule.
ICAI proposes optional joint tax filing for married couples to ease family tax burden.
Current individual exemption limit is ₹4 lakh under the new tax regime and ₹2.5 lakh under the old regime.
Proposed joint filing would double the exemption limit to ₹8 lakh and widen tax slabs.
Joint taxation would be optional, allowing couples to choose the method with lower tax liability.
Challenges include redesigning tax infrastructure and preventing revenue leakage.
- Who
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
- What
- Proposed joint tax filing for married couples
- When
- Pre-Budget submission for 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To make the tax system more equitable for families, especially single-earner households
- Current Individual Exemption Limit (New Regime)
- ₹4 lakh
- Current Individual Exemption Limit (Old Regime)
- ₹2.5 lakh
- Proposed Joint Exemption Limit
- ₹8 lakh
- Highest Tax Rate Under Proposal
- 30% (above ₹48 lakh)
- Proposed Tax Rate for ₹6-14 lakh
- 5%
- Proposed Tax Rate for ₹8-16 lakh
- 5%
- Proposed Tax Rate for ₹16-24 lakh
- 10%
- Proposed Tax Rate for ₹24-32 lakh
- 15%
- Proposed Tax Rate for ₹32-40 lakh
- 20%
- Proposed Tax Rate for ₹40-48 lakh
- 25%
