URGENT ADVISORY TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ENGINEERS & VALUERS (CEV GROUP)

Registration under the Income-tax Act, 2025 – Immediate Action Required Before the Statutory Deadline

Do Not Wait Until the Last Date – Complete Your Registration/Updation in Time

Issued to all members in the Interest of the Valuation Profession

Dear Esteemed Members,

The Council of Engineers & Valuers (CEV Group) considers it its foremost responsibility to keep its members informed of significant statutory developments affecting the valuation profession.

With the enforcement of the Income-tax Act, 2025 and the Income-tax Rules, 2026, an entirely new regulatory framework governing Registered Valuers under the Income-tax law has come into force. Every valuer must ensure timely compliance with these provisions to safeguard his or her professional registration.

The Council has carefully examined the statutory provisions, the notifications issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and the recent clarifications received under the Right to Information Act, 2005. Based on the available legal position, all members are advised to take immediate action and not wait until the last date for submission of the prescribed application.

Do Not Rely on Rumours or Unverified Information

Members are advised not to rely upon WhatsApp messages, social media posts, YouTube videos, unofficial announcements, or speculative interpretations regarding the registration process or the proposed Valuer Examination under the Income-tax Act, 2025.

Only information issued through the Income-tax Department, statutory notifications, or authentic professional advisories should be considered reliable.

The recent RTI clarification obtained from the Income-tax Department has reaffirmed that several procedural matters are presently being handled administratively. Accordingly, members should exercise due diligence and strictly comply with the prescribed statutory requirements.

1. Filing of Form No. 169 – The Most Important Compliance

Every applicant is required to complete Form No. 169 carefully and accurately.

Applicants should ensure that all particulars are correctly furnished before submission.

Particular attention should be paid to:

Full personal particulars
Category of valuation asset
Registration details
Address and jurisdiction
Contact information
Disclosure of the Registered Valuer Organisation (RVO) of which the applicant is a member, wherever applicable.

No Recommendation from the RVO is Required

Members should note that no recommendation, forwarding letter, verification certificate or approval from the Registered Valuer Organisation is required while submitting Form No. 169.

However, applicants are advised to attach all relevant supporting documents wherever necessary to substantiate the declarations made in the application.

Proper documentation helps avoid unnecessary correspondence and delays during verification.

2. Existing Wealth-tax (Rule 34AB) Registered Valuers – Updation is Mandatory

All valuers holding a valid certificate of registration under Rule 34AB of the Wealth-tax Act/Rules as on 31 March 2026 are required to update their registration under the Income-tax Act, 2025.

The application should be submitted either personally or through Speed Post/Registered Post to the jurisdictional Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT).

No Government Fee Payable

One significant relief provided under the Rules is that no government fee is payable for updation by existing registered valuers.

Members should therefore complete the updation process without delay.

Failure to Apply Before 30 September 2026 Will Have Serious Consequences

This is perhaps the most important aspect of the new Rules.

If an existing registered valuer fails to submit the updation application on or before 30 September 2026, the Rules provide that the registration shall be deemed to be cancelled with effect from 1 October 2026.

This is an automatic statutory consequence.

Accordingly, members are strongly advised not to postpone submission until the closing days, as last-minute delays caused by postal transit, incomplete documentation, jurisdictional issues, or office holidays may jeopardise compliance.

Apply immediately.

3. Fresh Registration under Rules 246 & 247

Persons seeking registration for the first time under the Income-tax Act, 2025 are required to submit their application under Rules 246 and 247.

Fresh applicants are required to:

Submit Form No. 169 in the prescribed manner.
Attach all prescribed supporting documents.
Pay the prescribed government fee of ₹10,000.
Submit the application before the jurisdictional authority.

Applicants should ensure that every declaration made in the application is supported by documentary evidence wherever applicable.

4. Recognition of Membership of CEV IAF RVO

The Council is pleased to inform all members that membership of CEV IAF Registered Valuers Organisation has been recognised under Rule 189 of the Income-tax Rules, 2026 for the prescribed purposes under the Rules.

Members of CEV IAF RVO should correctly disclose their membership details while completing Form No. 169.

This recognition reflects the confidence placed in recognised Registered Valuer Organisations under the statutory framework.

5. Form No. 85 – Important Opportunity for IBBI Registered Valuers

Members registered with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) as Land & Building Registered Valuers should also take note of another important statutory development.

Under Sections 247(5) and 247(9) of the Income-tax Act, 2025, Form No. 85 has been prescribed in relation to valuation during search and seizure proceedings.

The expression “Registered Valuer” for this purpose includes valuers registered under any law for the time being in force.

Accordingly, eligible IBBI Registered Land & Building Valuers may file Form No. 85, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed legal requirements.

Members should carefully study the relevant statutory provisions before exercising this option.

6. Valuer Examination – Notification Still Awaited

Several speculative messages are presently circulating regarding the proposed Valuer Examination under the Income-tax Act, 2025.

Members are informed that the official notification regarding the examination is still awaited.

Until the Government issues a formal notification, members are advised:

Do not believe unofficial examination dates.
Do not rely upon speculative eligibility criteria.
Do not circulate unverified information.
Do not make professional decisions based on rumours.

The Council shall immediately inform all members as soon as the official notification is published.

Important Procedural Guidance

Based upon the statutory provisions and the RTI clarification received from the Income-tax Department, members are advised to adopt the following best practices:

Complete Form No. 169 carefully.
Attach all relevant supporting documents.
Submit the application to the correct jurisdictional Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax.
Obtain an acknowledgement of submission.
Preserve copies of the application, annexures, postal receipt, and acknowledgement for future reference.
Maintain complete records until the registration process is concluded.

Why You Should Apply Immediately

There are several compelling reasons to submit your application without delay:

Avoid last-minute technical or procedural difficulties.
Ensure adequate time to rectify deficiencies, if any.
Prevent postal delays.
Avoid jurisdictional complications.
Secure documentary proof of compliance well before the statutory deadline.
Eliminate the risk of deemed cancellation due to delayed submission.

Early compliance is always preferable to last-minute filing.

Advisory from the Council of Engineers & Valuers

The Council strongly recommends that every eligible member complete the registration or updation process at the earliest instead of waiting until the closing date.

Professional registration is the foundation of a valuer’s practice. Timely compliance with statutory requirements safeguards both professional standing and future opportunities under the Income-tax Act, 2025.

Members requiring guidance regarding Form No. 169, supporting documentation, jurisdictional issues, or procedural compliance may contact the Council for assistance.

Final Appeal to all members

Do not wait for the last date.

Do not rely on rumours.

Do not circulate unverified information.

Read the statutory provisions carefully.

Complete Form No. 169 accurately.

Submit your application without delay.

The Council of Engineers & Valuers remains committed to assisting every member in achieving full statutory compliance under the Income-tax Act, 2025 and will continue to issue authentic updates as and when further notifications, circulars, or examination announcements are released by the Government.

Issued in the larger interest of the valuation profession

Council of Engineers & Valuers (CEV Group)

“Committed to Professional Excellence, Ethical Practice and Statutory Compliance.”