Livemint
Elections 2026Business / Livemint
Tax filing mistakes often come to light only after a return is submitted, leading to refund delays, tax demands or compliance hassles. From unreported income to Form 26AS mismatches, here are five errors taxpayers should avoid while filing their ITR.
The new tax regime is now default for taxpayers, allowing salaried individuals to choose annually between old and new options. Business income earners face restrictions. Here are the rules that apply to presumptive taxpayers.
Arbitrage funds are a type of hybrid mutual fund that aims to generate returns by taking advantage of price differences in the cash and futures markets. These funds must invest at least 65% of their assets in equities and equity-related instruments while following an arbitrage strategy.
EPFO allows members to withdraw a portion of their provident fund savings for education, marriage, housing and home-loan repayment, subject to specified conditions. Here is a breakdown of the eligibility criteria and maximum withdrawal limits under the latest EPFO guidelines.
An expat in New Zealand underestimated living costs in India, believing 60,000 would suffice for a family of four. A financial advisor revealed that modern expenses in cities like Bengaluru exceed 2.5-3.5 lakh monthly, urging NRIs to reassess their relocation assumptions carefully.
Health insurance portability is the process of moving from your existing insurance policy from one provider to another. It allows you to shift with better benefits without losing most of the accumulated renewal benefits.
Logistics recorded the highest suspected digital fraud rate in 2025 at 16.3%, followed by telecommunications and insurance.
Traditional Indian fathers' financial advice often prioritised caution and family protection. I asked ChatGPT to rank those pieces of advice in today's economy.
According to Mrinal Mehta, Joint Secretary at the Bombay Chartered Accountants' Society (BCAS), the growing number of revised returns is largely driven by the continuous updating of taxpayer information in the reporting systems.
A mismatch between Form 16 and Form 26AS can lead to lower TDS credit, tax demands and refund delays. Here's why taxpayers should reconcile both documents before filing their ITR.
The Income-Tax Department has introduced key changes in how taxpayers report income using the ITR-4 form this tax year and two of these updates are related to income generated from rent. We answer your top FAQs
Gold prices surged over 75% last year, marking the strongest bull run since 1979. Recently, prices in India rose from 135,257 in January to 157,480 in March, a 16% increase, amid strong safe-haven demand and economic uncertainty.
EPFO 3.0 allows members to withdraw 75% of their PF instantly, while 100% withdrawal remains possible under special circumstances like unemployment or natural disasters. New rules eliminate the need for justifying claims, simplifying the process for subscribers.
Prepared families recover faster from financial shocks. An emergency fund provides a vital financial safety net, helping households manage medical costs, job loss and unexpected expenses while protecting long-term goals and strengthening financial security during uncertain times.
Regular health insurance pays for treatment. Critical illness plans provide a lump-sum payout that can help replace income and cover expenses that arise beyond hospital bills.
Whether AI is a bubble will be known only after the fact. For investors, the more important question is how much risk they take while waiting for the answer.
Private and public sector banks in India will be closed for four days next week from 25 to 28 June 2026 due to regional holidays, including Muharrum and weekends. Customers should check the RBI holiday calendar for specific bank closures across different states.
Non-salaried individuals, including freelancers and business owners, cannot claim HRA, which are exclusive to salaried employees. But there's another way to do it.
As tax season begins, professionals are using AI tools like ChatGPT to simplify tax filing despite concerns over reliability. Experts warn that these tools struggle with complex tax situations and lack accuracy, leading to security risks and errors. Details here.
India's crypto market is experiencing a shift as women and non-metro investors gain influence, focusing on long-term strategies. This trend fosters a more stable ecosystem, with women showing patience and discipline, while Tier 2 and 3 cities broaden the digital asset landscape.
Named the Sindhu Darshan Pilgrimage Financial Assistance Grant Scheme, 2026, the initiative seeks to support pilgrims by partially reimbursing their travel expenses
Taxpayers should note that June 30 is the deadline for scrutiny notices under Section 143(2) for ITRs filed during FY 2025-26. Here are cases when you may receive a notice and what to do next.
ChatGPT's 1.4 lakh Maldives trip for two on a bare-minimum budget really caught me by surprise.
For a 29-year-old techie with exactly half of their take-home pay wiped out by home loan EMI, I asked ChatGPT if an 11-year window is enough for early retirement.
Pensioners can file income tax returns even after retirement and are eligible for several tax deductions. Options for filing ITR depend on income sources. Full list of available deductions here.
Seeking a better work-life balance, the Pon family turned to the FIRE movement. They moved from high-cost Canada to Thailand and then Japan, focusing on family time and financial flexibility.
Sebi has introduced a framework to expedite the transmission of securities to legal heirs, introducing Quick Transmission Processing (QTP) for small-value claims. Details here.
Bank FDs offer senior citizens a secure investment option for managing expenses like medical and living costs. Here is a comparison of fixed deposits from various public, private and small finance lenders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 23rd installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana on 20 June 2026. Each beneficiary will get 2,000 tranche payment. Let's find out when, where and how to check payment status.
Income-tax returns: The Income-Tax Department has introduced some key changes in how taxpayer report income using the ITR-4 / Sugam form online for this tax year (FY26 / AY27). Here's all you need to know
Employees provident fund: The Centre has ratified 8.25% interest rate for EPF deposits this financial year. Looking ahead, here's a look at the rules under EPFO 3.0, which allow withdrawal of funds through ATM and UPI.
Mutual funds are effective for wealth creation, but regular portfolio reviews are essential. Investors should conduct light checks periodically and a detailed review annually to ensure alignment with financial goals, prevent allocation drift, and avoid common pitfalls during evaluations.
Chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai with members Pankaj Jain and Pulak Ghosh, the 8th Pay Commission will decide on salary and pension hikes of central government employees and pensioners, with recommendations expected next year following stakeholder consultations.
Fresh developments in the 8th Pay Commission have raised expectations among central government employees and pensioners. From extended memorandum deadlines to upcoming state consultations, the latest updates highlight progress on salary revisions, allowances, pensions and fitment factor discussions.
Financial security starts with protection. Life insurance remains a crucial pillar of financial planning, helping families manage uncertainties, safeguard future goals, build financial resilience and create long-term security through adequate coverage, and thoughtful financial preparation.
Dearness Allowance: DA is the component of the basic salary that is periodically adjusted for inflation. Here's all we know about the Punjab, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh state governments' discussions on respective DA hikes.
Determining retirement needs requires calculating future monthly expenses, factoring in inflation, and estimating the necessary corpus. For example, a current expense of 70,000 may grow to 3 lakh in 30 years, necessitating a corpus of about 5.2 crore for adequate retirement funding.
The CCPA issued guidelines in 2023 to prevent and regulate dark patterns. The authority has listed 13 specific dark patterns. It has issued an advisory to strengthen compliance with guidelines and even penalised some platforms. However, the compliance still needs to improve.
Bank holiday today: Are banks closed today for the weekend holiday on Saturday, 20 June? Check the RBI calendar here
PhonePe has introduced a 100 quarterly inactivity fee for wallets not used in 365 days. Users must complete a transaction to avoid charges. Details here.
Under the flagship income-support programme, eligible farmers receive 2,000 every four months, amounting to 6,000 annually in three equal instalments.
The I-T department has released the Excel Utility for ITR-3 for Assessment Year 2026-27 on the e-filing portal. Here's who must file this form what changed this assessment year.
An AI-designed two-week Europe itinerary within a 1 lakh budget includes destinations like Budapest, Prague, and Krakw. Focus on off-season travel, budget accommodations, cheap eats, and smart transport for an affordable adventure.
The move follows the Reserve Bank of Indias recent decision to introduce a USD-INR foreign exchange swap facility for banks on newly mobilised FCNR(B) deposits with tenures of at least three years and up to five years.
Many EPF members are unaware of the free insurance benefits under the EDLI scheme, which provides up to 7 lakh for nominees or legal heirs upon the employee's death during service. Here are the features and how to claim it.
Despite NRIs investing about 1.4-1.5 lakh crore in India's stock market for long-term wealth, they face challenges like hidden taxes and currency depreciation.
Zerodha Capital reported a 44.2% increase in total income to 53.5 crore in FY26, with net profit rising 20.5% to 14.7 crore, driven by growth in its loan-against-securities business.
Japan is often considered one of the world's most expensive travel destinations. However, an Instagram post by travel page Planned Time Off is challenging that perception with a detailed cost breakdown of a 15-day trip covering Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima.
Fast access to funds comes at a cost. Compare personal loan interest rates, processing fees and key borrowing factors across leading private banks in June 2026 to find a cost-effective loan that suits your repayment capacity and financial goals.
I asked ChatGPT to plan the perfect monsoon family vacation near Mumbai in the last week of June. Here's what the artificial intelligence chatbot when comparing three hill-station destinations: Lonavala, Matheran, and Mahabaleshwar

42 C