Budget 2026: Experts Demand Fair Tax, TDS/TCS Rationalization & Crypto Clarity

• Industry leaders are calling for significant tax reforms in Budget 2026, focusing on fair measures, improved compliance, and support for innovation-led sectors.
• Experts advocate for rationalizing TDS and TCS provisions to reduce compliance friction, enhance transparency, and boost ease of doing business and investor confidence.
• The cryptocurrency sector seeks clearer regulations, reduced TDS (from 1% to 0.01% or 0.1%), aligned capital gains tax, and loss offsetting to prevent offshore migration and encourage domestic participation.
• Proposals for middle-class tax relief include a new 25% tax slab for incomes between ₹30-50 lakh, increased standard deductions for salaried employees, and enhanced long-term capital gains exemptions.
• Reforms are also sought for cross-border spending, aiming to simplify international payments, reduce TCS on legitimate foreign transactions, and address hidden foreign exchange markups.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 must prioritize fair taxation, TDS/TCS rationalization, and clear crypto policies for economic growth.