Rule 2: Definitions and statutory cross-references
Rule 2 supplies the basic meanings used throughout the Income-tax Rules, 2026. It defines four terms and directs readers to the Act for words that the Rules use without separately defining.
Official notified Income-tax Rules, 2026Need advice on Rule 2?
This article is for general information. Read the official Rules and applicable Act amendments, including the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
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Bare law
Rule 2 - Definitions
(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) "Act" means the Income-tax Act, 2025 (30 of 2025); (b) "authorised bank" means any bank as may be appointed by the Reserve Bank of India as its agent under the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 45 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934); (c) "Form" means a Form in Appendix III appended to these rules; (d) "section" means a section of the Act.
(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
Rule breakdown
Read section references in the correct Act
A bare reference to a section in this rulebook refers to the 2025 Act under clause (d). If the text expressly names another enactment, follow that express citation instead of substituting an Income-tax Act provision.
Check the defined institution or form
An authorised bank is not simply any bank selected by a taxpayer: clause (b) uses the statutory RBI-agent definition. Clause (c) defines Form by reference to Appendix III. Specific provisions and later amendments can also prescribe an additional appendix; for example, the current Rule 332 expressly includes Appendix IV.
Apply the definition hierarchy
Start with a definition in the particular rule or applicable context, then this general rule, and then a definition in the Act where the word is used but not defined here. This is a reading method; it does not permit rewriting an express definition because an everyday meaning seems easier.
Key takeaways
Act and section
Act means the Income-tax Act, 2025; section means a section of that Act.
Authorised bank
The definition refers to an RBI-appointed agent under section 45(1) of the RBI Act, 1934.
Undefined terms
A term used but not defined in the Rules takes its meaning from the Act, subject to the rule’s context.
Practical checklist
- Identify whether the term has a definition in its own rule.
- Keep expressly named external Acts distinct from the defined Act.
- Check the current form and appendix specified for the filing.
Avoid
- Do not use obsolete section numbering without checking the 2025 Act.
- Do not assume an ordinary commercial bank is an authorised bank for this purpose.
FAQs
Which Act does Rule 2 mean?
The Income-tax Act, 2025 (30 of 2025).
Where should an undefined word be checked?
If it is used in the Rules without being defined there but is defined in the Act, Rule 2(2) adopts the Act’s meaning.
Does the definition of Form remove Appendix IV from the current Rules?
No. Rule 2(c) retains its Appendix III wording, while the specific current Rule 332(1), as amended by Notification 97/2026, expressly refers to Appendices III and IV.