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Received gratuity after resignation or retirement? The tax-free limit for most private-sector employees is 20 lakh, but the entire payout may not be exempt. Know how gratuity tax is calculated, eligibility rules and when income tax applies.
Post office deposits, bank FDs and arbitrage funds differ in post-tax returns, liquidity and risk. A 5 lakh investment could earn more through arbitrage funds in higher tax brackets, but holding period, taxation and capital safety matter.
Have 10 lakh set aside for emergencies? Here's how to divide it between savings accounts, fixed deposits and liquid mutual funds to balance easy withdrawals, capital safety and returns, along with key differences in taxation and liquidity.
Instead of demanding a intimidating 30-year commitment, the First Seven Framework encourages Gen Z to aggressively build their retirement foundation during the first seven years of their career when life responsibilities are minimal.
Delhis State Consumer Commission dismissed HDFC ERGOs appeal over policyholders denied dengue treatment claim. It ruled that 24-month waiting period for specified illnesses could not apply because dengue was not on list, & upheld an order directing insurer to pay compensation & litigation costs.
Only four of 37 flexi-cap funds delivered over 8% annualised returns on three-year SIPs, while three posted losses. ITI Flexi Cap topped the list at 10.16%, while large schemes such as Parag Parikh, HDFC and SBI delivered lower returns.
Large-cap mutual funds look relatively attractive on valuations, while small-cap funds lead in returns and inflows. With Diwali approaching, experts explain how investors should weigh valuations, risk appetite, investment horizon, and portfolio allocation before deploying fresh money.
Bollywood sequels can substantially grow a franchises worldwide collections: Dhurandhar 2, Gadar 2, Stree 2 and later Drishyam films all out-earned their predecessors.
Lost money to online fraud despite not sharing an OTP? RBI rules specify when banks must refund customers and how banks' liability is determined. New directions from January 2027 will widen customer protection, shift the burden of proof to banks, and tighten resolution timelines.
In the 1-year period, Titan Company and Kalyan Jewellers India have delivered returns of 17% and 13%, respectively. However, their mutual fund ownership reflects contrasting investment strategies. Here are the top 5 schemes with the highest exposure to each jewellery stock.
The Income Tax Act, 2025, replaced the 1961 law on April 1, 2026, but outstanding tax dues, pending refunds, and earlier assessments do not automatically disappear. Here's how both laws will operate during the transition and what taxpayers need to know.
Morgan Housels The Art of Spending Money argues that good spending supports personal happiness rather than status or approval.
Estimates show small-cap funds have shortened their portfolio liquidation time this year due to higher stock trading volumes, despite managing 30% more assets.
Central government employees and pensioners are still awaiting the July 2026 dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) revision. Despite recent Cabinet meetings and bonus announcements, the Centre has not confirmed the hike, revised rate or arrears payment timeline.
Air ambulance cover varies widely across health policies, with sub-limits, approval requirements and claim conditions. A few clauses can determine whether families pay lakhs out of pocket.
Gold and silver prices fell on 22 October. Check the latest retail rates of 24K and 22K gold and 999-purity silver in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Here's how prices have changed and what to watch ahead of the US Federal Reserves policy meeting.
With many international mutual funds closed to fresh investments under RBIs $7 billion overseas cap, GIFT City funds offer Indian investors another route to US and global equities. Heres how they compare on minimum investment, taxation and returns, and what the LRS limit means for you.
Sold a residential house and reinvested the capital gains? Section 54 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, now Section 82 under the 2025 Act, offers tax relief subject to specific conditions. Heres when the exemption can be denied or withdrawn.
On 22 October, petrol and diesel prices were unchanged across 14 cities. CNG prices rose in nine of 13 locations and held steady in four; Chennai,
Large UPI transfers do not automatically trigger income tax notices, but unexplained bank credits can attract scrutiny. From freelancers to individuals receiving money for others, here's when digital transactions may raise red flags and what records to keep.
Term insurance provides a death benefit to beneficiaries during a fixed policy term, helping families manage debts and future expenses. Here's why a claim can get rejected.
Retirement planning requires balancing equity exposure with income security. Freefincal's M. Pattabiraman suggests limiting equity to 30% for typical retirees while accounting for inflation, market volatility and long-term withdrawal needs.
Tax audit reports for AY 2026-27 are due October 21, 2026, while audited taxpayers income tax returns are due November 21. Here's all you need to know to ensure compliance.
Growth and IDCW options handle mutual fund earnings differently, affecting payouts, units held, and NAV. Returns across three equity schemes show similarities, but NAV alone cannot determine which option performs better.
The Senior Citizen Savings Scheme offers 8.2% annual interest, allowing retirees to earn 61,500 every quarter on a 30 lakh investment. Here's how the scheme works, including eligibility, tax implications, maturity benefits and withdrawal rules.
Publishers pay heavily for celebrity memoirs, which attract readers with intimate accounts of public figures lives. Nobody seems interested in reading about someone's happy childhood.
Gold prices in India have fallen nearly 5% in a month, offering potential relief to wedding shoppers. Should you buy jewellery now or wait for further price cuts? Experts explain the key factors to watch, buying strategies, and the outlook for gold prices before and after Diwali 2026.
Celebrity brands can attract attention, but lasting success depends on product quality, fair pricing, repeat purchases and sound management.
Double-digit bond yields can be attractive, but investors should remember that higher returns come with higher credit and default risks.
How are government securities taxed in India? From interest income and capital gains on G-Secs, SDLs, SGBs and T-bills to the tax exemption available to foreign portfolio investors, here's what resident and foreign investors need to know.
Reliance Jio Platforms IPO saw 25 domestic mutual funds receive 34.34% of the anchor book allocation through 95 schemes. Here are the top 10 schemes that secured the highest allocations, how Jios listing could affect their returns, and what you should consider before making investment decisions.
From supper clubs to themed game nights, home-hosted events are becoming a paid social space. Attendees seek meaningful connections, while hosts balance ticket prices, costs and profitability.
Solar panels and home EV charging can deliver substantial savings but conditions apply.
Made an error while paying income tax? Taxpayers can request online challan corrections for eligible details, including the tax year and tax payment category. Know the key deadlines, the step-by-step process, and how the Income-tax Act, 2025 changes the tax-year framework.
Gold and silver prices today, 21 October: Check the latest 24K and 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities. Also, track MCX gold and silver futures, key market movements, and factors influencing precious metal prices.
SIFs offer long-short strategies that traditional mutual funds generally cannot. A study compares their downside protection, market recovery, and year-to-date returns, with equity long-short SIFs down 1.8% versus 6.9% for large-cap funds. Here's what investors need to know.
The Ministry of Finance has exempted interest payments on the New Development Banks Maharaja INR Bonds from TDS for eligible resident investors and foreign institutional investors from the tax year 2026-27.
Small-cap mutual funds with higher benchmark overlap did not necessarily deliver better returns. Value Research data shows one-year returns ranging from -0.1% to 29.1% across 10 schemes, highlighting why investors should look beyond portfolio overlap when choosing funds.
A woman who declared 4.81 lakh income invested 50 lakh in an LIC policy, claiming the money came from her late husbands HUF. ITAT rejected her explanation for lack of evidence and upheld the 50 lakh addition as unexplained investment.
CBDT has notified Form 173A for eligible foreign institutional investors and the Bank for International Settlements claiming tax exemption on government securities. The form requires disclosures on holdings, interest income and capital gains.
Indian equities fell 6.81% in 2026 so far through September, while US stocks gained 12.75% and gold rose 11.56%, according to Edelweiss Mutual Fund research. Short-term bonds returned 3.57%, while silver and Chinese equities posted losses.
A family trademark is not a separate legal category under Indias trade mark law. For business owners planning succession, the key is to clarify ownership and usage rights before disputes arise.
An emergency fund should cover six, nine or 12 months of essential expenses, depending on job security, family responsibilities and income stability. Home loan EMIs, insurance premiums and school fees should be factored into the savings target.
A 1.5 crore payout after a decades-long land dispute was held taxable as capital gains, not income from other sources, by Ahmedabad ITAT. The ruling clarifies the tax treatment of assigned property rights, but does not make the receipt tax-free.
Form 141 replaces four TDS forms for property purchases, rent, contractor payments and crypto transfers from 1 April 2026. Heres what property buyers, tenants and other taxpayers need to know about the new filing process and key compliance changes.
Will central government employees get a DA hike after Dussehra? The Centre's 21 October Cabinet meeting has raised hopes of a 3% increase, taking dearness allowance from 60% to 63%. Here is what employees and pensioners need to know.
LIC Certificate of Existence: Find out what this life certificate is, why it matters for annuity payments, how eligible LIC annuitants can submit it in five steps, what details it contains and how to check the next due date.
Amid drought situation in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state government will provide advance financial assistance of 5,000 directly to affected farmers by Diwali.
Higher fuel costs have increased airlines' operational expenses and are eventually being passed on to consumers.
Indias auto loans are growing as vehicle prices rise and consumers seek higher-value models. From H1FY19 to H1FY26, average car loans increased 49% to 8.2 lakh, as younger buyers enter the wider mobility credit market.

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