Business
FICCI Flags Tax And Customs As Key Demands From Union Budget 2026-27
New Delhi: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has set out its key expectations from the Union Budget 2026-27, calling for faster tax appeals, simpler TDS rules, clarity for cross-border supply chains and targeted customs facilitation to cut delays and disputes.
FICCI calls for immediate steps to reduce a large backlog of appeals before the Commissioners of Income Tax (Appeals), saying pending cases and blocked refunds strain taxpayers and the system according to a press release.
It recommends filling vacancies, setting differentiated, time-bound targets for small and complex cases, enabling virtual hearings on a fixed schedule, and granting stays on recovery if an appeal crosses two years without taxpayer fault. It also urges better coordination between faceless units and jurisdictional officers on remand reports, and proposes sharing draft orders with appellants to correct factual errors early.
On cash flow pressure during disputes, FICCI has asked that the current expectation of a 20 per cent deposit for a stay be rationalised. It proposes real-time integration of stay orders with the Central Processing Centre (CPC) to stop automatic refund adjustments against stayed demands and suggests allowing bank guarantees or indemnities as alternate security, with safeguards and monitoring.
To lower compliance burden, FICCI proposed a simpler TDS framework: slab-based TDS for salaries, maximum marginal rate for lotteries and online games, and only two standard rates for other payments. It suggests exempting B2B payments already reported under GST from TDS, removing low-yield TDS/TCS on purchase or sale of goods, and publishing a negative list covering items such as payments to senior citizens, exempt incomes, banks and registered GST entities.
For manufacturing supply chains, FICCI requests explicit assurance that storing components or deploying free-of-cost equipment in India for just-in-time production by contract manufacturers does not create a “business connection” for non-residents under the Income-tax Acts of 1961 and 2025. It says this clarity would support technology deployment and competitiveness while limiting unintended tax exposure and litigation.
FICCI also sought for restoration in the new Income-tax Act, the earlier definition of “Associated Enterprise” to avoid widening transfer pricing coverage to commercially unrelated parties, which could trigger fresh disputes for lenders, contract manufacturers, and brand owners.
On capital distribution, the chamber has recommended aligning taxation of buybacks with capital reduction at least where buybacks use share premium or fresh issue proceeds, noting that treating the full consideration as a dividend can tax capital rather than profits. It has also asked for clarity on interaction with anti-abuse provisions and treaty treatment to prevent inconsistent field practices.
For customs, FICCI has urged more benches of the Customs Authority for Advance Rulings beyond New Delhi and Mumbai to serve the south and east, and a mechanism to extend rulings when facts and law remain unchanged. It has recommended allowing newly incorporated companies in groups already accredited under the Authorised Economic Operator programme, domestically or abroad, to apply for AEO status, and to continue Tier-II status post-merger through simple intimation. It has further called for a single, real-time national database of trade notices to ensure uniform practices across ports.
FICCI stated that these measures would ease working capital stress, reduce litigation, and improve investor predictability as the government prepares the 2026-27 Budget.
Business
US markets today: Wall Street jumps after softer inflation update; Micron sparks AI rebound – The Times of India
US stock markets rallied on Thursday after a better-than-expected inflation update eased concerns over the interest rate outlook, while a strong earnings report from Micron Technology helped arrest the recent slide in artificial intelligence-linked stocks, AP reported.The S&P 500 rose about 1%, snapping a four-session losing streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed over 350 points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained around 1.4%, led by technology and semiconductor shares.Investor sentiment improved after data showed US inflation slowed to 2.7% last month, coming in below economists’ expectations. While inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, the softer reading raised hopes that the central bank could continue cutting interest rates next year to support a slowing job market.Some caution persisted with market participants noting that recent economic data have been volatile following the US government shutdown, and that upcoming inflation reports may provide a clearer signal.Technology stocks got a further boost from Micron Technology, which surged nearly 16% after posting stronger-than-expected quarterly profit and revenue and issuing an upbeat outlook. Chief executive Sanjay Mehrotra said demand linked to artificial intelligence accelerated across Micron’s businesses, reinforcing its role as a key “AI enabler”.The results helped ease worries that heavy spending on AI by major companies may not yield sufficient returns. Shares of Broadcom and Oracle, which had fallen sharply in recent sessions despite solid earnings, rebounded, while Nvidia also edged higher.Elsewhere, Trump Media & Technology Group jumped sharply after announcing an all-stock merger with nuclear technology firm TAE Technologies, marking its entry into the nuclear power space. Cintas also advanced after reporting strong earnings and announcing a share buyback programme.Global markets were mixed. European stocks posted modest gains after the Bank of England cut interest rates and the European Central Bank held policy steady, while Asian markets ended unevenly.In the bond market, US Treasury yields declined, with the 10-year yield falling to around 4.11%, reflecting optimism following the inflation data.
The Bank of England (BoE) announced on Thursday its decision to cut interest rates to 3.75 per cent, the fourth cut of the year.
For December’s vote, the bank’s nine-person Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) showed just a slight swing compared to last time out pre-Budget in November; a 5-4 split then favouring a hold became a 5-4 split in favour of cutting this time, with governor Andrew Bailey a key switcher.
Following falling inflation rates, poor economic figures and rising unemployment, it brings the base rate down to the lowest level in almost three years.
Here’s a brief rundown of what the current interest rate might mean for you:
What does the interest rate mean for mortgages?
Broadly speaking, as increasing interest rates over the last few years have meant mortgage repayments going up, then the reverse also holds true: lower rates, lower repayments. However, there are several important things to note.
Firstly, that it’s only the interest on the repayments which should change – your capital repayments will naturally decrease the more you pay off your mortgage. Secondly, the base rate isn’t the rate you are necessarily charged by your bank or lender for the mortgage – they’ll base theirs off the BoE rate but it doesn’t have to be the same.
More than half a million people do, however, have a mortgage which tracks the BoE interest rate and those will see an immediate change. Far more have fixed-term deals, which expire each year and need renegotiating – almost 2 million homes are expected to seek renewed deals in 2026.
If you’ve got a fixed term on a mortgage plan, you won’t see a change in any case until that comes to an end and you start a new one, but if you’ve already finished and moved onto a standard variable rate (SVR) deal, then you might see a change in your repayments.
New mortgage products tend to be based on swap rates – market agreements based on future expectations of interest rate movements – rather than the current bank rate, which is why there has been a recent battle between lenders dropping their rates even before the cut today.
What about savings accounts?
If you have money in a savings account, it’s the other side of the see-saw: rates going down mean you’ll earn less interest.
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As there has been a bit of a fierce battle raging among banks and building societies for customers, it’s still possible to get good deals if you are happy to lock in money for a fixed period of time or contribute regular amounts, with several offering more than 4 per cent until recently.
However, it’s likely some will be removed from the market or have their rates altered in the coming days, while many of the best deals in easy access accounts have been below 4.5 per cent for a while now.
There are always terms and conditions to be met, so ensure any accounts you open suit your circumstances, but the opportunity still remains to save and earn money at a better rate than inflation, which currently sits around 3.2 per cent.
Do be aware of the amount of interest you can earn without being taxed, though. If your savings account interest rate isn’t fixed, banks can always change the rate you get up or down.
A tax-efficient way of saving is to use a Cash ISA, where everyone (for now!) has a £20,000 personal allowance each year, which will drop to £12,000 soon with the other £8,000 reserved for tax-free investing.
Bills and repayments
Credit card repayments and other types of personal loans are of course also affected by interest rates, as the amount they all charge for borrowing could be altered.
For credit card users (and especially for Buy Now Pay Later deals), it’s always ideal to pay off the full amount each month if you are able to, to avoid interest being charged at all – depending on your circumstances and the account type, they can be one of the more costly ways to borrow.
Again, it may not be immediate that lenders alter their rates after a base rate change, but get in touch with them to assess your options if you feel your repayments could or should be lower.
Michael RaceBusiness reporter
Getty ImagesInterest rates have been cut to 3.75%, the lowest level in almost three years, but further reductions are set to be a “closer call”, the Bank of England has said.
In a knife-edge vote, policymakers voted 5-4 in favour to lower rates from 4% reflecting concerns over rising unemployment and weak economic growth.
The Bank said rates were “likely to continue on a gradual downward path”, but warned judgements on further cuts next year would more contested.
Inflation is now expected to fall “closer to 2%” – the Bank’s target – next year, which is sooner than previous forecasts. However, the economy is predicted to see zero growth in the final few months of this year.
The decision to lower borrowing costs from 4% was widely expected, after figures this week showed inflation, the rate prices rise at, slowed further to 3.2% in the year to November.
“We still think rates are on a gradual path downward but with every cut we make, how much further we go becomes a closer call,” said the Bank’s governor, Andrew Bailey.
While the cut is likely to be good news for people looking to borrow cash or secure a mortgage, savers could see a reduction on their returns.
About 500,000 homeowners have a mortgage that “tracks” the Bank of England’s rate, and Thursday’s cut is likely to mean a typical reduction of £29 in monthly repayments.
Homeowners on standard variable rates are also likely to see lower payments, although the vast majority of mortgage customers have fixed-rate deals so are not affected by the latest decision.
The Bank said that, following the tax and spending policies announced in last month’s Budget and easing oil and gas prices, inflation was likely to fall close to 2% in the spring/summer of next year. Previously it did not expect this to happen until 2027.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the government would cut £150 off household energy bills in the Budget, as well as freeze fuel duty and rail fares.
However, the Bank said weaker economic growth in November had led it to expect zero growth for the final few months of this year.
It said information gathered from businesses around the country suggested a “lacklustre economy”, with firms concerned by the speculation ahead of the Budget.
The Bank said consumers remained “cautious and keenly focused on value for money”, adding that food shops were “smaller than usual”.
“Some supermarkets have been concerned that the Budget will dampen spending on Christmas food and drink, but discounters say that early sales of lowered priced seasonal food are solid so far,” it added.
Latest figures showed the price of food was the main driver behind November’s drop in inflation.
The inflation rate has fallen in recent months, but this drop does not mean that prices are falling, rather they are rising at a slower rate.
Mr Bailey reiterated that the Bank believed inflation had passed its peak.
Reacting to the Bank’s decision, the chancellor said it was the “sixth interest rate cut since the election – that’s the fastest pace of cuts in 17 years, good news for families with mortgages and businesses with loans”.
But shadow chancellor Mel Stride said while lower interest rates would be “welcome news for many families”, the cut reflected “growing concerns about the weakness of our economy”.
“The economic mismanagement of Rachel Reeves has left the Bank of England with an impossible dilemma, balancing high inflation against a fragile economy.”
EPAThe Bank, which is independent of the government, sets interest rates in an attempt to try to keep consumer price rises under control.
The theory behind increasing interest rates to tackle inflation is that by making borrowing more expensive, more people will cut back on spending and that leads to demand for goods falling and price rises easing.
But it is a balancing act, as high interest rates can harm the economy as businesses hold off from investing in production and jobs.
The government has made growing the economy its main priority as part of its efforts to boost living standards.
In its most recent Monetary Policy Report, the Bank predicted UK economic growth would be 1.5% this year, but forecast it would fall to 1.2% next year before rising to 1.6% in 2027 and 1.8% in 2028.
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