Happy New Year: These rules will have big impact on your life in 2026

New Delhi: The new year doesn't just change the calendar; it also brings changes to your finances, salary, banking, and government benefits. The year 2026 will bring several significant changes for ordinary citizens. 

While some may see salary increases, others might face financial difficulties due to missing documents. Whether you're a farmer, a salaried employee, a loan recipient, or a digital user, these changes will directly affect everyone. If you don't prepare in advance, you might face penalties, difficulties, and delays later. 

Why do you need to link your PAN and Aadhaar?

From January 1, 2026, those who haven't yet linked their PAN and Aadhaar may face a big problem. The government has made it clear that December 31, 2025, was the last date for this task. If the linking has not done by this date, your PAN card will be considered inoperative. This means you won't be able to file taxes, refunds may be delayed, bank-related work could be halted, and you won't receive benefits from government schemes. A penalty of Rs. 1000 may also be levied for linking it later.

Want to know more about the new Income Tax Form?

A new income tax form is expected in January 2026. This form will require more detailed information about bank transactions and expenses. This will make tax filing easier, but it will also reduce the margin for error. This means providing accurate information will become even more important. Those whose income and expenses don't match may face scrutiny.