If you default, it will affect your credit score and your career.
When selecting a liquid fund, stick to schemes with an AUM of above Rs 1,000 crore.
Why the case for investing in passive funds is becoming stronger.
Customers should be fully aware of what their policy covers and should follow claim procedures meticulously, says Sanjay Kumar Singh.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday brushed aside Union minister Giriraj Singh's racist comment saying she need not reply to a person with "neech mansikita" (narrow mindset)
If your case is picked up for random scrutiny, any of the tricks that you or your financial advisor may have used to avoid tax will be easily detected.
Now that the National Pension Scheme offers more choices than the Employees Provident Fund, is more transparent and also allows to choose the level of allocation to equities as investors like, should one switch to the NPS?
Given that the ETF has given exceptional returns over the past year, start small and buy more in a staggered manner.
For those who find the online facility difficult, there is an electronic tutorial, and staff to assist you.
If the changes being considered by the EPFO become a reality, investors may have to be more active in deciding equity preference and when to withdraw money, reports Sanjay Kumar Singh
Three key instruments that can help you meet your financial goals, while also allowing you to enjoy tax deductions are ELSS, term cover and health cover.
Ponzi schemes have characteristics that the informed investor can spot easily.
All payments made via debit and credit cards, net banking and mobile wallets will be entitled to discounts.
'Allocate 30% to 35% of your equity portfolio to mid-cap funds and 10% to 15% to small-cap funds.'
Over the past 25 years the MF industry has come a long way. Geographic reach has increased, many more customers have been added, more channels have been opened up and the product basket is full.
Instead of getting confused by what agents tell you, check waiting period, claim-settlement ratio, price comparison etc to make the right choice.
'If the new rate is lower than your current rate, ask your bank to shift you to it.' 'This can be done by paying a fee of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000.'
You may invest even at current market levels provided you have an investment horizon of five years or more.
Experts say the size of the fund shouldn't be a primary criterion for selection.
Invest 5 to 10 per cent in a banking sector fund. Ensure that mutual fund's portfolio includes all three players -- private sector banks, public sector banks and NBFCs.
If your fund's expense ratio has risen dramatically after Sebi's recent changes, compare it with the category average before switching.
HNIs are scrambling to do so, as they fear government might introduce inheritance tax. This haste could cost them dear, reports Sanjay Kumar Singh
'Some cases do not get a single hearing for 6 to 8 months, while some have been pending for as long as 8 years.'
Also build a contingency fund equal to 9 to 12 months of expenses.
Restrict investment to Rs 50,000 for tax benefits, experts tell Sanjay Kumar Singh, but caution that taxation at maturity and compulsory annuities are dampers.
Investing heavily in a top-performing fund during good times can cause long-term pain. Don't invest lump sum at market peaks.
With the introduction of 10 per cent tax both on long-term capital gains and on dividend, choose funds based on investment horizon and risk appetite, not on tax advantage, experts tell Sanjay Kumar Singh.
If you leave too much money lying in your trading account or hand over your securities to brokers, there is always the risk that they could use it to trade in the markets.
Individuals often postpone tax planning till the end of the financial year. As the deadline for showing proof of investments draws near, they invest randomly in any product that will help them save tax for that year. Later, they realise that it is not suited for them, so they abandon it. Tax planning should not be a standalone, one-off activity, but should be in sync with your overall financial plan, says Sanjay Kumar Singh.
If you plan to withdraw money from your corpus regularly to meet expenses, have a portfolio of stable instruments.
Conservative investors and those in the lower tax bracket should opt for these, experts tell Sanjay Kumar Singh
Focus on large-caps and ensure that the portfolio is balanced.
Salaried employees get several benefits under Sections 80C, 80D, 80G and others.
Companies' annual reports can hide as much as they reveal. Investors can get early warning signals of wrongdoing by frequently speaking to other stakeholders.
Prepare your replies with expert help, if necessary. Keep relevant documents ready to support your replies.
Retail investors may burn their fingers investing in them, especially if the markets correct, experts tell Sanjay Kumar Singh
Developers are likely to start announcing their festive season offers soon, reports Sanjay Kumar Singh.
The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigations Team on black money has also proposed that holding more than Rs 15 lakh in cash be made illegal for individuals and for companies, report Tinesh Bhasin and Sanjay Kumar Singh.
'If you retain your account with the EPFO for 10 years, you get a life-long pension.'
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