The Central Board of Direct Taxes released a notification regarding amendment of Income Tax Rules 2026 through Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026 on 17 September 2026. The notification includes two substituted forms, i.e., Form 169 for registration as a valuer and Form 171 for registration as an authorised income tax practitioner. The deadline for filing these forms, which was earlier 30 September 2026, has been extended to 31 March 2027.

As the Forms 169 and 171 are newly introduced in the Rules, they have created some confusion. But don’t worry, we are here to put an end to your confusion. On this page, we shall discuss these forms in detail to offer you complete clarity.

What is Form 169 vs Form 171?

Form 169 is the prescribed form for filing an application for registration as a valuer u/s Section 514 of the Income Tax Act 2025. Form 171, on the other hand, is the prescribed form for seeking registration as an authorised income tax practitioner u/s 515 of the Act.

Who is a Valuer in Income Tax?

A valuer simply means someone who assesses and determines the financial worth/value of assets. In the Income Tax system, a valuer is a qualified professional who determines the fair market value of assets for purposes such as tax assessments, capital gains or business reorganisations. In India, valuers are registered u/s 514 of Income Tax Act. For seeking valuer registration, the applicants must file Form 169.

Classes of Assets for Valuer Registration

For valuer registration, the applicant can select any one of the following classes of assets while filling out Form 169:

Class of Asset
(a) Immovable property (other than agricultural lands, plantations, forests, mines and quarries)
(b) Agricultural lands (other than coffee plantation, tea plantation, rubber plantation or cardamom plantation)
(c) Coffee plantation, tea plantation, rubber plantation or cardamom plantation
(d) Forest
(e) Mines and quarries
(f) Stocks, shares, debentures, securities, shares in partnership firms and business assets, including goodwill
(g) Machinery and plant
(h)  Jewellery
(i) Works of art
(j) Life interest, reversions and interest in expectancy
(k) Any other asset

 

Note: A person can apply for registration for multiple classes of assets. However, this cannot be done using a single form. For obtaining registration for different classes of assets, a separate form is required to be filled in for each class.

Information/Documents Required for Form 169

In this form, the applicant must specify their name, PAN, D.O.B, contact details, class of asset for which registration is sought, their educational details, former employment, experience as a valuer and other eligibility details. Where a person is already registered as a valuer under the Wealth-tax Act, a valid certificate of registration must be provided as well.

The applicants also need to provide details of their previous valuation experience, including former employment, practice details and any other details for the purposes of eligibility as a Valuer. Further, they must provide full details of experience as a valuer, including a list of assets valued or works executed during last three years.

Disclosure of Details Relating to Disqualification under Form 169

While filling out the form, the applicant must disclose details relating to disqualification, including whether they are employed under the Government or any other employer, whether they have been dismissed/removed from Government service, whether they are a valuer member of a valuers organisation registered under the Companies (Registered Valuers and Valuation) Rules, 2017, whether they have been declared to be of unsound mind at any time earlier, whether they are a minor and whether they are an undischarged bankrupt or have applied to be adjudicated as bankrupt.

Who is an Authorised Income Tax Practitioner?

An authorised income tax practitioner is a qualified professional who represents taxpayers and handles tax proceedings before the income tax department. In India, such professionals are registered u/s 515 of Income Tax Act 2025. 

Eligible individuals, such as accountants and other qualified professionals who wish to represent taxpayers before the income tax department, can apply for registration as an authorised income-tax practitioner.

For registration, they must file Form 171 with the required details. Candidates must have at least one year of practice before income tax authorities to qualify as authorised income tax practitioners.

Information/Documents Required for Form 171

In this form, the applicants have to provide personal details like their name, gender, PAN, name of father/husband, present and permanent residential addresses, mobile number, email address and principal place of profession in India.

The applicants must also provide declarations regarding whether they have passed the accountancy examination, possess the required educational qualifications, have been disqualified under Section 515(4) and were an authorised representative in accordance with Section 288(2)(vii) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) as it existed prior to its repeal.

Disqualification Grounds for Registration

An applicant cannot be registered during the active period of disqualification, let’s say, where the disqualification is due to fraud conviction, insolvency or any other prescribed ground under Section 515(4) of the Income Tax Act. 

Also Read: What is an Intimation Letter from Income Tax?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q.1 What is Form 169 under the Income Tax Rules 2026?

Form 169 is the prescribed form for filing an application for registration as a valuer u/s Section 514 of the Income Tax Act 2025.

Q.2 Is a separate Form 169 required for each class of asset?

Yes. For each class of asset, you need to file a separate Form 169. One form can only cover one class.

Q.3 What is the fee for submitting Form 169?

Form 169 application fee is Rs. 10,000.

Q.4 Are existing valuers registered under the Wealth-tax Act exempt from the Form 169 fee?

Yes. Existing valuers who are registered under the Wealth Tax Act, 1957 (27 of 1957) are exempt from paying the Form 169 fee.

Q.5 Who needs to apply for registration as a valuer?

Any individual who intends to provide officially valid tax valuation reports requires valuer registration u/s 514 of the Income Tax Act.

Q.6 What is Form 171 under the Income Tax Rules 2026?

Form 171 is the prescribed form for seeking registration as an authorised income tax practitioner u/s 515 of the Income Tax Act 2025.

Q.7 What educational qualifications are required for registration as an authorised income tax practitioner?

The educational qualifications include being an accountant, passing a recognised accountancy examination or possessing other qualifications recognised by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. 

Q.8 What certificate must an existing authorised income-tax practitioner under the Income-tax Act, 1961 provide?

If an individual is an existing authorised income-tax practitioner under the 1961 Act, they must provide a certificate of registration. 

Q.9 What happens if an applicant has previously been disqualified from authorised income tax practitioner registration?

An applicant cannot be registered during the active period of disqualification, let’s say, where the disqualification is due to professional misconduct, insolvency or any other prescribed ground. 

Q.10 Can an applicant apply for authorised income tax-practitioner registration with more than one Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Income-tax?

A. No. According to the Income-tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026, an applicant must not have previously applied for registration with any other Chief Commissioner or Commissioner of Income-tax. 

Reference: CBDT Notification