Freelancer Tax IndiaSpecified professions, section 62(4)
Section 62(4) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 defines "specified profession" (read on 13 November 2026). Section 58(2) Table serial 3 gives the 50% scheme to these professions, and section 58(11)(a) keeps them out of the 6% and 8% scheme.
The list
- Legal
- Medical
- Engineering
- Architectural
- Accountancy
- Technical consultancy
- Interior decoration
- Information technology
- Company secretary
The Board may notify other professions.
Why it matters
If your work is on the list you use the 50% scheme with the ₹50 lakh and ₹75 lakh limits; if it is not, you may use the 6% and 8% scheme with limits of ₹2 crore and ₹3 crore, provided you meet the other conditions of an eligible assessee. Which scheme leaves less income to tax depends on the receipts and how they are received.
Common questions
Is a graphic designer or writer a specified profession?
The Act lists words, not job titles, and does not say. Work that is information technology or technical consultancy may qualify; other freelance work is treated as another profession or business, taxed under serial 1 if the conditions are met. This is a question for your chartered accountant.
Sources
- The Income-tax Act, 2025, as published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary: section 58 (presumptive taxation), section 62(4) (specified profession), section 263 (due date of the return) and section 408 (advance tax). The enacted text was read on 13 November 2026.
- Tax rates for the tax year 2026-27 and the rebate: the Tax Slabs section of this family, which is built from the Finance Bill 2026 memorandum and the Income Tax Department pages (see its own sources).
Rules read on 13 November 2026 from the Income-tax Act, 2025. This site is independent, not connected with the Income Tax Department, and gives information, not tax advice. Whether your work is a "specified profession" and which scheme suits you depend on your facts: ask a chartered accountant.