CMA INTER DEC 2026 | TAX [DT & IDT] | COMPLETE PAPER ANALYSIS & PREDICTION

Summary

The presenter analyzes the expected structure of the December 2026 CMA Intermediate Tax paper and offers topic predictions based on past papers and the latest model question paper (MQP). These predictions are guidance, not certainties: the presenter stresses that the paper can vary and advises students not to decide in advance which questions to skip.

Paper Pattern and Exam Strategy

• The paper includes an MCQ component and longer questions. Students are expected to answer five of seven main questions, leaving two unanswered.
• Rather than deciding which questions to skip beforehand, students should assess the actual paper and choose the questions they can answer most confidently.
• For MCQ preparation, the presenter recommends working through:
  • Previous examination papers.
  • The ICMAI MCQ booklet.
  • Relevant MQBs and model question papers, especially the latest one.
• The presenter considers MCQs an important opportunity to secure marks and improve the chance of passing.

Predicted and Recommended Topic Areas

These expectations are based on past-paper patterns and are not guaranteed questions.

• Residential status: Expected in an early Direct Tax question. The latest MQP also includes a question on the residential status of a company, which the presenter recommends practising.
• Salary: Identified as a recurring Direct Tax area.
• House property and PGBP: The subtitles’ numbering is unclear, but the presenter advises preparing both. PGBP may involve computing taxable business income, adjusting net profit, or presumptive taxation such as section 44AD.
• Capital gains and income from other sources: The presenter expects these topics to feature in the next part of the paper.
• Total income, set-off, and carry-forward: A likely question area. Students should understand the income heads as well as the rules for set-off and carry-forward.
• Total income and tax liability: The presenter expects a question that may involve comparing the old and new tax regimes. AMT is mentioned as a possible variation.
• GST theory: Possible questions include difficulties under the pre-GST system and the benefits or features of GST. Other past topics mentioned include the GST Council, the GST Network, and differences between indirect-tax systems.
• Reverse charge mechanism (RCM) and composition scheme: Both are highlighted as important and should not be skipped.
• Value or time of supply: One of these is considered likely. The presenter especially urges students to practise RCM-related time-of-supply questions.
• ITC and related GST topics: Prepare input tax credit (ITC), registration, returns, exemptions, and place of supply. The presenter notes that exemption and place-of-supply questions can be straightforward and may carry meaningful marks.
• Customs: The presenter strongly recommends studying customs rather than leaving it out. Customs valuation and standard duty-computation questions are emphasised. Possible variations include:
  • Assessable-value and duty calculations.
  • Reverse-working problems involving CIF value.
  • Anti-dumping duty.
  • Theory on countervailing duty or safeguard duty.

The presenter estimates that customs could account for a substantial number of marks, including MCQs.

Latest MQP and a Possible Pattern Variation

The presenter stresses that students should complete the latest December 2026 MQP, Set 1, before the exam. In addition to its company-residential-status question, the presenter highlights a GST question combining:

1. Output tax calculation using value-of-supply information.
2. Input tax/ITC calculation using the details provided.
3. Set-off of the resulting amounts.

The presenter says this integrated question differs from the usual prediction of a stand-alone value- or time-of-supply problem and is especially worth practising.

Study and Answer-Writing Advice

• Prepare both Direct Tax (DT) and Indirect Tax (IDT). The presenter recommends giving DT particular attention while still treating IDT as important.
• Build a broad foundation in core computation areas, including residential status, salary, house property, PGBP, capital gains, and total income.
• Aim beyond merely passing. The presenter encourages students targeting around 60 marks to work toward a higher score through balanced preparation and careful paper selection.
• Write answers clearly and concisely, with complete working notes. Explain the reasoning as if the marker has no prior knowledge of the answer; do not provide only figures or conclusions without showing the method.
• Use the actual exam paper to choose questions, selecting the combination that best suits your preparation and confidence.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Speaker: An unnamed presenter or instructor from the StudyCab channel; no personal name is identifiable in the subtitles.
• Sources and materials: Past examination papers, the ICMAI MCQ booklet, MQBs (including the latest December 2026 MQP, Set 1), and the presenter’s own classes, videos, and question bank.