Rules Changing from November 1: A new month has begun, bringing with it several changes to financial matters that will significantly impact the common man’s pocket. These updates include new requirements for pension holders regarding the submission of life certificates, changes to income tax return deadlines, and modifications to GST and banking-related procedures. Let’s look at how these changes might affect household budgets and the general public throughout November.
Pensioners Must Submit Life Certificates by November 30
To ensure there is no disruption to their pension payments, pensioners should submit their life certificates by November 30. Pensioners aged 80 and above have been eligible to submit their life certificates since October 1, while this facility has now become available to all other pensioners starting today. Pensioners can also visit a bank branch to complete the process or utilise the digital life certificate facility through Aadhaar-based verification. Failure to submit the life certificate before the deadline could lead to an interruption in pension payments.
Income Tax Return Deadline Extended
This month is particularly significant for taxpayers filing income tax returns. For taxpayers whose accounts require a tax audit—specifically for the financial year 2025-2026 (assessment year 2026-2027)—the deadline for filing income tax returns has been extended from October 31 to November 21, 2026.
Changes to Toll Plaza Rules
There is welcome news for residents living near toll plazas. The central government has revised toll regulations, allowing residents who live within a 20-kilometre radius of a toll plaza to obtain passes at a lower cost. A notification regarding this change was issued on October 26. For a private vehicle equipped with a valid FASTag that is located within a 20 km radius of a toll plaza, the annual fee for a pass will be ₹1,500. All others will be required to pay an annual fee of ₹3,000.
Major Changes to GST Rules
The Central Government has issued a notification regarding GST reforms. According to a notification issued by the CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) on October 26, new provisions—covering post-sale discounts, the streamlining of refund processes, and relief for exporters—have come into effect as of November 1, 2026.