New Delhi, March 24 -- "Ease of living" is a phrase the government frequently uses, much like "ease of doing business". Yet, for individual taxpayers, the lived reality often feels quite different.

From April 2026, a new income-tax law will come into force. While businesses have long flagged the burden of tax compliance, non-business taxpayers-salaried individuals, investors and retirees-face their own compliance maze.

They need to maintain detailed records of accounts that must be kept for long periods. If your income exceeds Rs.50 lakh (raised to Rs.1 crore since last year), the tax returns require you to disclose the cost of certain types of assets held by you.

Such assets include shares and securities, loans and advances given, ban...