Diwali Sales Alert: Beware of the ₹2 Lakh Cash Receipt Limit Under the Income-tax Act, 2025
Introduction Diwali is one of the busiest shopping seasons in India. Retailers, wholesalers, jewellery shops, electronics stores, supermarkets, service providers and other businesses often experience a significant increase in customer transactions during the festive period. While higher sales bring business opportunities, accepting large cash payments without understanding the applicable income tax provisions can create serious compliance problems. Under Section 186 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 , which came into effect on 1 April 2026, a person cannot receive ₹2 lakh or more through prohibited payment modes. The restriction applies to specified receipts from a person in a day, a single transaction, or transactions relating to one event or occasion. A violation may attract a penalty equal to the amount received under Section 451 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 . Therefore, businesses should review their cash collection practices before accepting large payments during Diwali and other festive...