Tax Strategy for June 2026 Exams – CS Executive – CA Saumil Manglani

Preparing for Tax in CS Executive may sound like a difficult task, especially when you have had a few failures in your earlier attempts. But let’s face it, the truth is very simple. If you have a clear strategy and are focused on the basics, it’s absolutely possible to clear Tax in June 2026.

In this blog, let’s discuss a no-nonsense strategy to clear Tax in CS Executive, as revealed by CA Saumil Manglani, covering all aspects related to Tax, from amendments to mistakes to avoid and scoring high.

1. What to Focus on for June 2026

Before you start with your preparation, it’s very important to gain a clear understanding of all the updates in the syllabus.

• Finance Act 2025 is applicable for both June 2026 and December 2026 exams.

• New Income Tax Act (2025) is NOT applicable for your exam to be attempted in 2026. It’s applicable from 2027.

What to do?

• Focus on Amendments related to Finance Act 2025

• Watch amendment lectures first and then start with the revision

• Don’t worry, there are changes, but not very high

2. If You Failed Earlier: Start With Mistake Analysis

One of the greatest mistakes students make is that they don’t refer to their previous answer sheets.

If you didn’t clear Tax Earlier:

• Apply for your evaluated answer sheet (via RTI) 

• Analyze: 

o Presentation mistakes

o Missing keywords

o Mistakes in concepts

o Time management mistakes

Reality Check:

It is almost impossible to sit for a 100-mark paper and score 5-10 marks unless there is something fundamentally wrong in writing or concepts.

Unless you analyze your mistakes, you’ll end up repeating them.

3. Is It Possible to Prepare in 3 Months?

Yes, 100% possible, even if you’re preparing from scratch.

Time Calculation:

• Total lectures (DT + IDT) ~250 hours

• Daily preparation time

o 5 hours a day → 50 days

o 4 hours a day → ~65 days

That means:

• March + April → Complete Syllabus

• May → Complete Revision + Practice

You’ll still have time to clear Tax, even if you’re from scratch.

4. Buy New Classes or Not

It depends on your current level of preparation.

If you’ve already prepared well:

No need to buy new classes, Focus on: 

• Amendment lectures
• Revision marathons
• Question practice

If your preparation is weak (10-20% done):

• Go for fresh lectures

• Do not mix old incomplete concepts with amendments

• The goal is to clear, not confuse

5. The Golden Rule: Question Solving is Everything

This is the most important point.

You can:

• Read provisions 5 times

• Watch lectures 5 times

But without question practice, you cannot score.

Minimum Practice Requirement:

• 3 revisions of question solving (ideal)

• 2 revisions (minimum acceptable)

What to practice:

• Question Bank 1

• Question Bank 2

• Past Exam Questions

Truth:

Most students fail, not because they don’t study—but because they don’t practice.

6. Test Series: The Game Changer

Many students face problems in:

• Time management

• Answer presentation

• Writing speed

That is where test series help.

Benefits:

• It simulates real exam pressure

• It helps in answer structure

• It helps you attempt 90-100 marks instead of 60-70

Even if you have all the knowledge, your presentation may limit your marks to a maximum of 40.

7. Strategy for One Group Vs Both Groups

If You’re Appearing for Both Groups:

• Continue your regular classes

• Give 1.5 – 2 hours a day to the second group 

• Listen to recordings to save time 

If You’re Appearing for One Group:

Select a group in which you are more confident. You should be able to complete at least 2 – 3 rounds of question solving. 

Confidence + Practice = Right choice

8. Daily Study Plan (Ideal)

• Total study: 10 – 12 hours a day 

• Break down into slots: 

                3 – 4 hours Tax 

  Other subjects, Focus on Consistency more than intensity and Daily revision 

9. Use the Right Resources

Ensure you are using: 

• Amendment lectures (First Priority) 

• Summary notes 

• Question bank 

• Revision marathons 

• Past questions 

Avoid: 

• Random hopping from telegram/whatsapp 

• Too many resources 

Only use limited resources available on youtube by us.

10. Mindset Matters More Than Strategy

There are two types of students who don’t clear:

1. Those who didn’t study seriously 
2. Those who studied but didn’t analyze mistakes 

If you gave your best and still couldn’t clear:

• Improve presentation 
• Increase attempt (target 90+) 
• Work on time management 

Final Thoughts

You still have enough time. Three months is more than enough, provided you utilize it properly.

The formula is simple:

• Study consistently

• Practice questions repeatedly

• Give test series

• Analyze mistakes

Just do it with discipline, and not only is it possible to clear Tax in June 2026, it is highly likely.

FAQs