Many big rules changed from January 1, from tax to banking and gas, your pocket will be affected.

Tezzbuzz Desk- As soon as the new year starts, many important changes related to the lives of common people have come into effect. New rules related to tax, banking, credit cards, railway ticket booking, LPG and jet fuel prices have come into effect from January 1, 2026, which will have a direct impact on your pocket and daily expenses. Let us know what major changes have taken place on the first day of the new year.

Important changes related to income tax

The facility to file revised income tax returns for AY 2025-26 has stopped for taxpayers from January 1, 2026. For those taxpayers who were informed by the Income Tax Department to file revised returns due to discrepancies, the last date for this was December 31, 2025. Now after this only updated return (ITR-U) can be filed.

Along with this, the deadline for filing belated returns has also ended on December 31. That is, those taxpayers who were not able to file the return by the due date, will now not be able to file the billed return for the financial year 2025-26.

PAN-Aadhaar linking now mandatory

The last date for linking PAN and Aadhaar has also ended on December 31. From January 1, the PAN of those whose PAN is not linked to Aadhaar will become inactive. With such a PAN, neither tax returns can be filed nor bank account opening, loan taking or other financial tasks can be completed.

Credit score will now be updated every week

Since January, credit bureaus have changed the way they update credit scores. Now the credit score will be updated on weekly basis instead of 15 days. This means that the effect of timely payment or advance payment will be visible quickly on your score.

Eighth Pay Commission implemented

The Eighth Pay Commission has come into effect from January 1, 2026. According to the government, pay commissions are usually implemented every 10 years. However, the actual increase in salaries will happen only after the Commission’s recommendations are implemented, in which some delay is possible.

commercial gas cylinder expensive

Although there has been no change in the prices of domestic LPG cylinders, there has been a big increase in the prices of commercial gas cylinders. Its price has been increased by Rs 111 in all four metros of the country, which is considered to be the biggest increase after October 2023.

New rule in railway ticket booking

The Railway Board has decided to extend the Aadhaar-authenticated booking window in a phased manner on the opening day of the advance reservation period. From January 5, 2026, Aadhaar-verified users will be able to book tickets from 8 am to 4 pm. From January 12, 2026, this facility will be available from 8 am to 12 midnight.

Changes related to bank and credit cards

SBI card– From January 10, 2026, the domestic airport lounge access program will be implemented in a new way, in which the lounge network will be available based on the type of card.

HDFC Bank– From January 10, 2026, the spending criteria for free airport lounge access for debit card holders will be changed and a voucher-based system will be implemented.

ICICI Bank– There will be changes in reward points, movie offers, add-on card charges, dynamic currency conversion and other charges on many credit cards between January-February 2026.

Jet fuel becomes cheaper, air fares expected to decrease

The relief news at the beginning of the new year is that there has been a big reduction in the prices of jet fuel. According to IOCL, jet fuel has become cheaper by more than 7 percent for domestic flights in metros and by more than 8 percent for international flights. Due to this, air fares are likely to decrease in the coming days.

Overall, these changes, which will come into effect from January 1, 2026, will directly impact taxpayers, travelers and common consumers. Therefore, it is important that you decide your financial and daily plans keeping in mind the new rules.