rediffGURU Vivek Lala answers your income tax and personal finance queries.
Post the change in debt fund taxation in March, a lesser-known hybrid fund has emerged as one of the alternatives for fixed-income investors. Equity savings schemes, the smallest hybrid fund category in terms of assets, have raked in around Rs 6,000 crore this financial year (FY24) so far compared to Rs 1,100-crore outflow in FY23. The inflows along with a strong performance led to a 50 per cent surge in assets under management (AUM) to Rs 24,100 crore during April-November, shows data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi).
After three straight quarters of decline, India's housing market is pinning hopes on the ongoing festival season to revive sales momentum. While 2025 may still end with sales volumes below 2024 levels, developers believe the seasonally strong October-December quarter could narrow the gap, aided by stable interest rates, festive incentives, and resilient demand in the premium segment.
Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
In sops for the middle class, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday hiked standard deduction by 50 per cent to Rs 75,000 and tweaked tax slabs under the new income tax regime to provide more money in the hands of salaried class with a view to boost consumption. She said salaried employees in the new tax regime could save up to Rs 17,500 in income tax annually following the changes announced in the Budget. The standard deduction for salaried employees is proposed to be increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 annually.
Organise your PAN, Form 16, Form 26AS, AIS, and all other proofs before e-filing.
GST 2.0 may cushion consumers against US tariffs, but like the 2019 corporate tax cut, it risks being another tactical fix rather than a structural growth strategy, expects Debashis Basu.
'Legally clean farmland is difficult to find. It requires time, money, and legal effort to verify the title.'
A medical insurance policy should always form a part of any individual's financial planning as well as the tax planning exercise.
There are many tax components you need to be clear about and also figure out how to plan your investments to gain maximum returns as well as maximum tax benefits.
Ask tax gurus Mihir Tanna, Samkit Maniar, Vivek Lala, Anil Rego, T S Khurana and Mahesh Padmanabhan your Budget-related tax questions
Ask rediffGURU Naveenn Kummar your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Tax saving funds can not only help your money grow but can also help you save and plan your taxes. Here's a list of top 10 ELSS funds in terms of returns that they generated during the year ending June 22.
A well-defined asset allocation plan for tax-saving instruments will help you realise not just your tax-planning objective, but also complement your overall financial planning.
The rising tide of Indian nationalism meant that the people of princely states now were keen to become a part of a united and integrated India rather than remain subjects of a princely state. The Congress too supported the people's wish and it fell upon Patel to get the princes to agree. He did so magnificently, using every trick available, whether it was sweet talk or coercion; the rulers buckled and Patel earned the eternal gratitude of the entire nation.
rediffGURU Yogendra Arora answers readers' personal income tax queries.
Before deciding to go for mutual fund ELSS, here are some points to ponder over.
While saving tax is important and certainly welcome, it's lot more important to ensure each instrument actually does the job it was originally meant to, says Manish Shah.
Here's a list of Top 10 ELSS funds in terms of percentage gain in the last one year till September 7, 2007. These funds not only help you make money but also save taxes as per Section 80C.
The rationalisation of goods and services tax (GST), announced on Wednesday, directly lowers the cost of everyday medical consumables, and also high-end therapies in oncology and rare diseases, helping reduce out-of-pocket patient expenditure and better adherence to medication.
Some of the key names include: Maruti, M&M, Ashok Leyland, Britannia, Ultratech, JK Cement, Havells, Voltas, Amber, Metro, Trent, LemonTree, Indian Hotels, Niva Bupa, HDFC Life, IGL, Acme Solar, Suzlon, Swiggy, Delhivery, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance," according to a report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services.
Victory wrested from regime that only listens when forced, the TMC said on GST exemption on insurance.
'It is crucial to understand that the ultimate goal of your investments isn't to pay lesser tax, but to create long-term wealth for you and your family,' says Satyen Kothari, founder and CEO, Cube Wealth.
Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Angmo challenged authorities to an open debate on the allegations, including those suggesting links to Pakistan, and said neither she has been able to contact Wangchuk nor has she been provided with formal documents detailing the charges against him by the administration.
Finding the right way to save taxes requires a great deal of planning. Here's a helping hand.
Do you know you can invest in funds to donate money for a good cause?
You tax-saving investments should not only depend on good returns but also take into consideration the various stages in your life to optimise your investments.
Get Ahead home loan expert Harsh Roongta on tax benefits fo availing a home loan.
'The outlook for the next Samvat is more constructive, as many of the earlier drags are gradually becoming supports.'
Implications for capital gains, wealth taxes, and investment strategies require careful consideration, notes Anil Rego, founder and CEO, RightHorizons.
Despite similar tax treatment, debt MFs enjoy certain advantages over FDs.
What does this mean for you? Ramalingam Kalirajan explains.
India's entry-level 5G smartphone segment, typically held to be those priced below 10,000, is set to bustle in the upcoming festival season as brands like HMD, Poco, and Lava launch their products.
At the end of the day, this isn't about choosing between EMIs and SIPs. It's about choosing your path to financial freedom.
Individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually will not have to pay any income tax under the new tax regime as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday gave relief to middle class by raising exemption limit and rejigging slabs. For salaried employees, this nil tax limit will be Rs 12.75 lakh per annum, after taking into account a standard deduction of Rs 75,000.
What many don't realise is that including their spouse and children in their tax planning can enable them to reduce their tax burden legally.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday unveiled 'transformative' tax reforms that ranged from a simpler income tax law to higher TCS threshold for remittances and income tax benefits for middle class.
"The new structure will substantially reduce taxes on the middle class and leave more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment," Sitharaman said presenting what was dubbed as 'reformist' budget for the next fiscal in Lok Sabha.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances