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Freelancers must file their ITR by 31 August if they are not required to get their accounts audited. The choice of ITR form, tax method and deductions depends on their income structure. Proper documentation and reconciliation of receipts and foreign income are essential for accurate filing.

Building a sizeable retirement corpus of 10 crore demands a structured investment strategy, consistent contributions and favourable market returns

Indian equities have lagged global markets due to AI-led capital flows, valuation pressures and global uncertainties. However, strong domestic demand, policy continuity, infrastructure growth and healthy fundamentals continue to support India's long-term outlook.

Salaried employees in India contribute to EPF, receiving matching employer contributions. Tax benefits apply, but a new rule restricts tax exemption on interest for total contributions over a certain threshold. Check rules here. 

Young people often struggle with how to allocate salary between SIPs and emergency funds. Expert advises prioritizing a strong financial foundation, making informed investment choices, and maintaining discipline for long-term wealth.

Loan approval may vary despite two applicants having similar salaries and living in same cities. Here's a list of factors that may determine your loan interest rates, amount or even approval.

Gold and silver prices today, 6 August: 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.

The Income Tax Department is using data analytics, verification checks and SAKSHAM NUDGE campaigns to identify fake deduction claims. Over 1.25 crore updated ITRs have been filed, generating 9,493 crore additional tax payments during FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.

PFRDA has extended the NPS same-day investment cut-off from 11 am to 1:30 pm, allowing more contributions to qualify for same-day investment. The revised deadline applies across all major NPS payment channels, improving flexibility, operational efficiency and the subscriber experience.

Health insurance portability was designed to empower India's policyholders through choice and competition, but its real-world impact remains limited.

UPI users may remain unaffected even if Merchant Discount Rate is introduced, according to Bernstein. The brokerage expects large merchants to bear a 30-40 bps fee, while small merchants and low-value transactions may remain exempt. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra says it is too early to comment.

Interest rates on fixed deposits differ significantly among banks. Investors should consider factors such as bank reputation and financial goals when choosing deposit options with varying maturities.

The Income Tax Department has released the Excel utility for ITR-6 for AY 2026-27. The utility is now available on the e-Filing portal. The form is applicable to companies that are not claiming exemption under Section 11 of the Income Tax Act.

Cash optimisation apps allow you to park unused money in liquid mutual funds or fixed deposits, delivering higher yields than standard savings accounts.

NPS returns can vary significantly depending on the pension fund manager and the asset class you choose. Here's how Tata, ICICI Prudential, HDFC, UTI and other pension funds performed over one, three and five years.

8th Pay Commission: Stakeholder consultations will be held in Jaipur on 31 August and 1 September. Central government and UT employee associations in Rajasthan can apply by 18 August using their Memo ID to participate.

Taxpayers who missed the July 31 ITR deadline can still file a belated return until December 31, 2026. Here's the filing process, applicable late fees, and the tax benefits you may lose by filing late.

The EPF officers body has asked the Labour Ministry to hire more experts for better service delivery, citing delays in claim settlements. With inadequate technical support and staffing, they stress the need for timely intervention. 

Gold and silver prices today, 5 August: 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.

EPFO's e-Office application will be unavailable from 6 pm to 9.30 pm today due to a scheduled system upgrade. Members may experience temporary service delays while key UMANG services remain available. Here's what EPF subscribers and employers need to know.

The stock markets new closing auction mechanism changes how closing prices are determined for F&O stocks. The shift from VWAP-based closing prices to auction-based pricing could impact index funds, ETFs and arbitrage funds by improving transparency and reducing tracking errors.

The Centre said over 1.18 lakh eligible beneficiaries have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme since its rollout in April 2025. Introduced to provide an assured post-retirement income, the UPS continues as an optional pension framework under the NPS, with no review conducted so far.

Volatile markets have led retail investors to reconsider their investment options amid inflation. Fixed deposits and debt funds carry lower risk, but the choice depends on individual tax slabs, financial timelines, and risk tolerance. 

More than 31.82 crore unorganised workers have registered on the e-Shram portal, gaining access to social security schemes and welfare services. The government has integrated multiple schemes and platforms to help workers access benefits, job opportunities, skill development and pension services.

The omission of Section 213 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 has changed the legal position on probate in India. While probate remains available, it is no longer a statutory precondition in cases that were earlier covered by Section 213.

The 31 August ITR deadline is meant for specific taxpayers, including freelancers, professionals, traders and small business owners filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 without a tax audit. Eligibility depends on the applicable return form and whether audit provisions apply.

The survey found that 53% of respondents would move away from UPI for transactions above 3,000 if an MDR is imposed on large merchants.

EPFO has urged members to verify and correct their Date of Joining and Date of Exit details to avoid delays in PF withdrawals and pension claims. The advisory explains online correction rules, Aadhaar-linked UAN updates and employer approval requirements for eligible subscribers.

RBI's August 2026 redemption calendar lists six Sovereign Gold Bond tranches eligible for premature exit after the mandatory five-year holding period. Investors must apply within the prescribed window, as missing the deadline means waiting for the next eligible redemption date.

RBIs new fixed deposit rules for small finance banks will apply from October. The guidelines introduce advance-rate disclosures, uniform pricing, bulk-deposit rules and greater transparency.

Gold and silver prices today, 4 August: 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.

The Bengaluru ITAT has asked tax authorities to reconsider the tax treatment of ESOP buyback payouts by applying the Karnataka High Court's ruling. The order could strengthen the case for taxing payouts from vested but unexercised ESOPs as capital gains instead of salary.

HDFC Bank has introduced Max for Seniors and Max for Her savings accounts under its Savings Max portfolio. The accounts offer cyber protection, Auto Sweep benefits, insurance cover, health support and lifestyle privileges designed for senior citizens and women customers.

More than 1.18 lakh Central government employees and eligible retirees have opted for the Unified Pension Scheme. The Centre has told Parliament there is no proposal to review, modify or replace the pension scheme.

REITs and REIT mutual funds offer investors exposure to the real estate sector but differ in structure, taxation, and returns. While REITs focus on rental income from properties, REIT funds combine REIT exposure with real estate equities. 

If a similar mutual fund with a proven track record already exists in the market, experts say investors should prefer an established scheme unless the NFO offers a genuinely differentiated strategy that complements their portfolio and investment goals.

Only two value funds have negative alpha, indicating they lag their benchmark indices, while Quant Value Fund and DSP Value Fund record the highest positive alpha. The contrast in alpha was also reflected in return performance, with the positive-alpha funds delivering better returns. 

F&O trading is treated as non-speculative business income and must be reported under business income in ITR. For AY 2026-27, taxpayers need to disclose F&O turnover and income in dedicated fields in ITR forms. They also need to comply with tax audit and carry-forward rules.

Upon returning to India, the person must compute capital gains from US shares in INR, using the exchange rate from the sale date. No concessions for rupee depreciation apply. Long-term gains are taxed at 12.5%, and disclosure of foreign assets is required for tax purposes.

Despite flexibility in their mandate, flexi-cap funds remain more biased towards large-cap stocks, with 61% allocation. On the other hand, multi-cap funds maintain a more balanced exposure across large, mid, and small-cap segments. 

Delhi has approved 100% salary hike for DDMA personnel, including project officers, district project officers, and project coordinators. The first such in 16 years, since the positions were created in 2009. 

A Delhi couple won 15.5 lakh in compensation after Axis Bank lost their original property papers and failed to return them after the closure of their 1.41 crore home loan. The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled on the case.

India's largest private sector lenders HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank have both hiked their FCNR (Bank) interest rates this month. Check here for how much fixed deposit interest NRI depositors now get

India scrapped insurance commission caps in 2023, but calls to revive them are growing. Evidence suggests transparency, staggered payouts and disclosurenot capsare more effective at curbing mis-selling.

PM VBRY beneficiaries can enable Direct Benefit Transfer by linking their Aadhaar with a bank account through NPCI. This guide explains the eight key steps, offline Aadhaar seeding, and how completing the process helps ensure timely incentive payments.

Small-cap funds dominated one-year SIP returns, with six schemes crossing the 20% mark and four featuring among the top five performers. Bank of India Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 40.05% annualised SIP return.

Income tax refunds for AY 2026-27 may be adjusted against pending tax demands. Taxpayers should verify notices, respond through the e-filing portal, clear valid dues, and dispute incorrect demands to avoid refund delays and compliance issues.

A Kerala consumer court ordered Federal Bank to pay 1.25 lakh after blocking a customer's international debit card without prior notice. The ruling reinforces that banks must communicate card blocks promptly, especially when customers are travelling abroad.

Gold and silver prices today, 3 August: 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.

Filed your ITR before the 31 July deadline but spotted an error later? Eligible taxpayers can still revise their return under Section 139(5). Here's who can file a revised ITR, the process and the key documents to verify.