/ Presumptive Scheme Specialist · Updated 2026-10-22
Best CA for Section 44AD / 44ADA Presumptive Scheme India, small business + professional simplified tax regime.
Section 44AD (small business) + Section 44ADA (specified professionals) presumptive tax scheme: deemed profit at 6% / 8% (business) or 50% (professional). No tax audit obligation. Single advance tax instalment. Simplified compliance. 2026 enhanced thresholds (INR 3 crore / INR 75 lakh for 95%+ digital receipts). Here's the complete BQP presumptive framework.
Written by CA Durgesh Chavda
Chartered Accountant (ICAI) · Founder, Bharat Quantum Prospera · US incorporation, India-US DTAA, FEMA ODI, NRI taxation, cross-border structuring · LinkedIn
/ Section 44AD (small business)
The core.
- Available for: resident individual + HUF + Partnership firm (not LLP) + eligible business.
- Turnover threshold: INR 2 crore standard; INR 3 crore if 95%+ digital receipts (post Finance Act 2024).
- Deemed profit: 8% of gross receipts (6% for digital receipts).
- Exempt from: tax audit under Section 44AB, books of accounts under Section 44AA.
- Advance tax: payable in single instalment by 15 March of FY (vs 4 instalments standard).
- Must declare 8%/6% deemed profit; cannot declare lower without tax audit.
- Opt-in binding for 5 years - if opt-out any year, 5-year lockout from re-opting.
/ Section 44ADA (specified professionals)
The professionals.
- Available for: resident individual + HUF (specific professionals - not entity).
- Covered professions: legal, medical, engineering, architectural, accountancy, technical consultancy, interior decoration, other notified professions.
- Turnover threshold: INR 50 lakh standard; INR 75 lakh if 95%+ digital receipts.
- Deemed profit: 50% of gross receipts.
- Exempt from tax audit + books of accounts.
- Advance tax: single instalment by 15 March.
- Cannot declare lower than 50% without tax audit.
/ When presumptive vs normal regime
The decision.
- Presumptive makes sense: Business with gross margin above deemed % (actual profit > 8%/6% for 44AD, > 50% for 44ADA). Deemed profit is cap on tax; actual higher margin isn't taxed.
- Normal regime makes sense: Business with gross margin BELOW deemed % (actual profit lower than 8%/50%). Normal regime allows reporting actual lower profit with proper books + audit if above threshold.
- Also consider: compliance burden (presumptive is much simpler), advance tax structure, cash flow, deductibility of specific expenses.
/ Common presumptive scheme mistakes
Where filings trip.
- Turnover exceeded in later year: must exit presumptive + apply normal regime + tax audit if applicable.
- Opt-out triggers 5-year lockout: cannot opt back into presumptive for 5 FYs after opt-out. Material if circumstances fluctuate.
- 95%+ digital receipts threshold: higher INR 3 crore / INR 75 lakh thresholds apply only if 95%+ receipts digital. Cash-heavy business doesn't qualify for higher limit.
- Declaring profit below deemed %: triggers tax audit + books of accounts obligation. Common for low-margin business - must choose: deemed % profit OR normal regime with audit.
- Non-specified profession under 44ADA: software consultancy / management consultancy / specific tech services - borderline cases. CBDT clarifications matter.
- Firm vs individual: 44ADA for individuals + HUF only (not firms / LLPs). 44AD covers partnership firm + individual + HUF.
Last updated: 2026-10-22.
/ Ready when you are
Small business / professional - presumptive or normal regime?
Section 44AD / 44ADA eligibility + deemed vs actual profit + 5-year projection + ITR filing. BQP presumptive scheme specialist.
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