Budget 2026: Gold Prices May See Stability, Focus on Reporting, Not Hard Limits

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1, 2026, with gold prices under scrutiny for potential announcements.
• Experts anticipate no major changes to customs or import duties on gold, as previous reductions led to high imports.
• New rules may focus on enhanced reporting of gold ornaments in income tax returns (Schedule AL) and self-reporting methods for holdings.
• Minor adjustments to GST on making charges or the 3% GST on gold are possible, but no hard limits on domestic gold holdings are expected.
• Gold prices on Budget day are difficult to predict; stability or a small decline is likely if no major changes occur, with global factors influencing long-term trends.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 is unlikely to drastically alter gold prices, focusing instead on disclosure and tax relief.