Form 15 Income Tax Rules 2026 pdf download and Key points

Last Updated on: April 21, 2026

Form 15 Income Tax Rules 2026 pdf download and Key points

FORM NO. 15
[See rule 31(1)(a)]
Statement to be filed by research association , university, college or other in situation or company (―done ‖ ) under section 45(4)(a)

Under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, Form No. 15 serves as the Annual Statement of Donations Received for Scientific Research. It replaces the earlier Form 10BD specifically for scientific research donations, creating a separate reporting stream from general charitable donations.

Here are all the key points regarding Form No. 15:

1. Purpose of the Form Form 15 is a statutory annual information statement used to report donor-wise and donation-wise particulars of sums received for research. It serves as the primary data source for the Income-tax Department to cross-verify the tax deductions claimed by the donors and enables automated, risk-based scrutiny.

2. Governing Provisions The form is mandated and governed by Section 45(4)(a) read with Section 45(3) of the Income-tax Act, 2025.

3. Applicability (Who Should File)

Who Files: The obligation to file rests entirely with the prescribed undertaking or institution receiving the sum. This includes research associations, universities, colleges, approved Indian companies engaged in R&D, National Laboratories, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), or other specified persons.
Who Does Not File: The donor has no obligation to furnish this statement.

4. Scope of Eligible Donations Form 15 applies exclusively to sums received for:

Scientific research.
Social science research.
Statistical research. (Note: Donations to standard charitable institutions fall outside the scope of Form 15 and are governed by a separate reporting framework under Form 113).

5. Frequency and Due Date

Frequency: It is an annual statement.
Due Date: It must be furnished on or before 31st May immediately following the end of the relevant tax year in which the eligible sums were received.

6. Structure and Contents of the Form This electronic, system-driven form captures specific details, including:

Identification and approval details of the prescribed institution receiving the funds.
Donor-wise particulars, strictly including the donor’s Permanent Account Number (PAN).
The exact amount, date, and mode of receipt of the donation.
The nature of the research (scientific, social science, or statistical).

7. Verification and Corrections

Verification: The form must be verified by the person authorised to verify the return of income for the recipient institution.
Corrections: If there are errors or omissions in the filed statement, the institution is permitted to file correction statements.

8. Legal Implications and Consequences of Non-Compliance

No Automatic Deduction: Simply because an institution furnishes Form 15 does not automatically guarantee the donor will receive the tax deduction; the deduction remains subject to the donor’s fulfillment of statutory conditions and departmental verification.
Non-Compliance: If the institution fails to furnish Form 15, or files it with incorrect particulars, it can adversely affect the allowability of the tax deduction for the donor and attract penal consequences for the institution under the Income-tax Act, 2025.

Form 15 Income Tax Rules 2026 pdf download and Key points

Form 15 Income Tax Rules 2026 pdf download and Key points

Form 15 Income Tax Rules 2026 pdf download

Form No.15– Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance Note on Form 15