Comparison of section 515 'Appearance by authorised representative.' between the Income-Tax Act, 2025 (as passed) and the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 (as originally introduced)

Authorised representative rules limit who may represent taxpayers, set disqualification grounds, and preserve appeal rights.

The provision permits an assessee to attend proceedings before income tax authorities and the Appellate Tribunal through an authorised representative drawn from an enumerated list, subject to written authorisation and exclusions; personal attendance is required where examination on oath or affirmation is mandated. The definition of authorised representative and of 'accountant' contains specific exceptions to prevent conflicts of interest, while disqualification rules-based on dismissal from service, insolvency, specified convictions or prior penalties-apply with procedural safeguards including opportunity to be heard and a one month appeal to the Board. Several qualifications and categories are to be determined by subordinate prescription, and transitional cross references to prior statutes determine legacy practitioner recognition.