Lower tax deduction certificate rules govern applications, eligibility checks, dividend income conditions, and certificate validity limits. Application for a certificate for deduction of income-tax at a lower rate, no deduction of income-tax, or collection of income-tax at a lower rate is to be made in Form No. 128. The Assessing Officer considers estimated tax for the year, past tax history, existing liabilities, and advance tax or tax deducted or collected at source. Additional conditions apply for specified entities, registered non-profit organisations, and dividend income from public company shares, including exemption approval, return filing compliance, ownership requirements, validity limits, and portal-based issuance where deductors are numerous.