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The ITR filing deadline is approaching, prompting taxpayers to prepare documents and explore deductions. Section 80D allows deductions for preventive health checkups, capped at 5,000, applicable only in the old tax regime.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has centralised its member database through the CITES project to enhance service speed, transparency, and accessibility.
The Delhi HC ruled that tenants staying in a property after lease expiration may face higher rent due to automatic escalation clauses. Here's all you need to know.
A 20-30% investment target can be a useful starting point, but the right SIP depends on your goals, emergency savings and ability to increase investments as income grows.
EPFO will credit FY26 interest at 8.25% to 34 crore member accounts by July 15. Members can check the updated amounts online through various methods, including the EPFO Portal, UMANG app, missed calls, SMS, and DigiLocker after activating their UAN.
A 30 lakh salary puts taxpayers in a bracket where tax planning matters more than ever. Here's how much tax you pay under the old and new regimes and which one works better.
As taxpayers finalize their returns this filing season, it may be worthwhile to spend a few extra minutes reviewing investments in the name of your spouse and minor children
SIPs are effective for discipline, but they don't ensure a balanced portfolio. Proper portfolio construction requires mapping goals, managing asset allocation and avoiding excessive risk. Critical review and diversification are essential to protect against poor outcomes and market volatility.
The EPFO informs users that claim processing may be delayed due to a recent database consolidation and software upgrade. Services are restored but will be handled in phases. Details here.
The EPF Scheme, 2026 allows members to withdraw their entire provident fund balance only under specified circumstances. Here's a detailed guide to the seven eligible situations and the key changes from the earlier rules.
Labour Law Reporter emphasizes that while 1,800 is the default PF contribution, employers must have legal grounds to reduce contributions beyond this amount. Employee protections against wage reductions remain vital under the Social Security Code.
A soft credit inquiry allows individuals and financial institutions to review credit information without affecting credit scores. Here's how soft checks work, their impact, and how they differ from hard inquiries.
The Income Tax (I-T) department has released an Excel utility for ITR-5, enabling taxpayers to file their return for the assessment year 2026-27.
Residents with foreign assets or overseas income must file ITR-2 instead of ITR-1 before 31 July. Check who needs to file, mandatory disclosure schedules, penalties for non-compliance and steps to ensure accurate tax filing and avoid legal issues.
Experts say there are no pure-play ethanol mutual funds, but investors can gain exposure through select index, thematic and sectoral funds. Given the cyclical, regulatory and adoption risks, they suggest diversified funds rather than concentrated stock bets.
A 60 lakh salary attracts a surcharge of 10% under the new tax regime in addition to slab-wise income tax and 4% health and education cess. In this case, the final tax liability comes to 15.53 lakh, resulting in an effective tax rate of 25.88%.
During the RNOR window, your Indian income is taxed exactly as it would be for any resident. Any income earned in India is taxable and must be declared in the ITR
The EPS Pension 2026 replaces previous schemes and retains the core pension formula. Employees who need a monthly pension must have 10 years of service and retire at 58. The estimated monthly pension after 10 years is 2,143, with a minimum pension floor of 1,000.
With the July 31 deadline approaching, only a small percentage of taxpayers have filed their returns. Cleartax CEO Archit Gupta warns against assuming an extension this year, as slower filing rates could lead to increased pressure before the due date.
Income-tax returns: Today we explain the circumstances under which taxpayers can appoint authorised representative, the requirements, eligibility criteria and other important factors.
The income tax return filing deadline is approaching, prompting taxpayers to gather documents. Section 80D allows senior citizens without health insurance to claim up to 50,000 for medical expenses, available only under the old tax regime.
A returning NRI who invested overseas savings in a US startup may not face tax on the purchase itself, but discounted acquisitions and annual foreign asset disclosures can trigger tax and compliance obligations.
VPF allows employees to contribute more than the mandatory EPF rate for a larger retirement corpus. Contributions over 2.5 lakh face taxation on excess interest. VPF matches EPF's interest rate and qualifies for tax deductions under Section 80C, with specific withdrawal conditions.
A Delhi taxpayer was denied a 17 lakh tax refund due to late e-verification of his ITR while caring for his ill father. ITAT ruled that denying the refund on technical grounds violates Article 265 of the Constitution, leading to a ruling in his favor.
The Tamil Nadu state government has today hiked the salaries of employees working at its TASMAC liquor outlet by 25% with aim to bring in reforms curb corruption and overcharging at these stores. Here's all we know
HDFC Bank's revised MCLR now ranges from 8.05% to 8.70%, affecting borrowers linked to the one-year or three-year rates. While the overnight rate decreased slightly, other tenures remain unchanged. Details here.
8th pay commission: The All India NPS Employees Federation (AINPSEF) has demanded HRA revision, minimum monthly transport allowance, DA hike, and salary increase for central government employees and pensioners.
Business cycle funds aim to capture opportunities across different phases of the business cycle: growth, recession, slump, and recovery. ICICI Prudential Business Cycle Fund is the biggest fund with an AUM of 15,798 crore and has delivered an 18.77% return over the last three years.
DA hike: Kerala is considering a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance for state government employees to be disbursed in their August salaries, ahead of Onam festivities. An official order is awaited.
The income tax department has launched Form 68 under the Income-tax Act, 2025, for specified investment funds to file exempt income statements and claim tax benefits for eligible non-resident investors. Details here.
Active share measures how different a fund's portfolio is from its benchmark index, expressed as a percentage between 0% and 100%.
Stretching a 35,000 monthly pension requires careful planning, especially in smaller cities like Lucknow and other similar urban areas. A structured budget, pre-built emergency savings, healthcare planning, and low-risk investments can help retirees manage expenses.
Digital arrest scams have cost Indians more than 4,000 crore since 2022 as fraudsters impersonate government officials to steal money. Check how these scams work, key complaint figures, warning signs, and practical safety tips to protect your savings from the growing threat of cyber fraud.
As speculative hype fizzles out and global central banks slow their purchases, the sharp drop in gold and silver highlights the danger of trading commodities for short-term gains.
Money market funds invest in money market instruments with a maturity of up to 1 year. Based on one-year performance, Union Money Market Fund has emerged as the best-performing scheme in the category with a 6.63% return, followed by LIC MF Money Market Fund and Bank of India Money Market Fund.
Tax compliance goes beyond filing your income tax return on time. Several provisions under the Income Tax Act, 1961, set limits on cash transactions and high-value financial dealings. Staying within these limits can help taxpayers avoid penalties, scrutiny and unnecessary legal complications.
PAN-Aadhaar linking is essential for eligible taxpayers to keep their PAN active and avoid disruptions in tax-related services. Taxpayers with unlinked PANs can complete the process by paying the applicable fee through the e-filing portal.
With crude prices cooling after the West Asia truce, the monsoonand its impact on food inflationmay become the biggest factor shaping RBI's interest rate decisions in the months ahead.
Fill a health insurance proposal form correctly with this step-by-step guide. Understand required details, medical disclosures, nominee information and important checks to avoid claim problems while ensuring smoother policy approval and better financial protection for you and your family.
The IndiaUK FTA is set to come into effect on 15 July. One of the biggest takeaways for Indian consumers is the gradual reduction in prices of imported Scotch whisky and gin. Under the agreement, tariffs on imported whisky and gin will be cut from 150% to 75% initially and further reduced to 40%.
For AY 2026-27, the earlier Other Exempt Income field in Schedule EI has been removed. In its place, the department has now introduced a new reporting option titled Receipts not in the nature of income.
Gold and silver prices today, 7 July: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
Under the EPF Scheme, 2026, withdrawals have been simplified into three categories: essential needs, housing needs and special circumstances.
Under the EPF Scheme 2026, members must submit a fresh nomination after marriage, as earlier nominations become invalid. While nominating a spouse is optional, updating nominations ensures eligible family members receive EPF benefits without delays or legal complications.
The 8th Pay Commission is reviewing salaries, pensions and allowances for central government employees and pensioners, with the fitment factor remaining the key focus. Experts expect it to range between 1.90 and 2.86.
A management consultant has shared his investment strategy on Instagram aimed at young investors. Here's a look at how he divides his savings into long-term, medium-term, and emergency fund to achieve financial growth.
Income-tax returns: Today we explain what ITR assisted filing is, who is allowed to assist, who is considered authorised representative, the requirements and eligibility criteria and other important factors.
A 14.65 lakh CTC does not necessarily mean you have to pay income tax under the new tax regime. With the right salary structure, employer contributions to EPF and NPS, and the standard deduction, your taxable income can be brought down to 11.99 lakh, making you eligible for zero tax liability.
Experts suggest that cash holdings should be viewed as a portfolio management tool rather than a buy-or-sell signal. A fund's investment philosophy, portfolio quality, and long-term performance remain far more important than a single percentage shown in the monthly factsheet.
Payroll rules are changing in India as EPF vs labour codes reshape salary structures and PF calculations. While basic pay norms rise, EPF contributions remain capped at 1,800, impacting take-home pay and retirement planning choices.

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