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Income tax return errors do not automatically attract a 200% penalty. Under the Income-tax Act, 2025, under-reporting can attract a penalty of 50% of the tax payable on the under-reported income, while misreporting can attract 200%. Here's how the rules, late-filing fees and interest work.

The 8th Pay Commission has 18 months from its constitution in November 2025 to submit its report. With 1 January 2026 emerging as a possible effective date, here's what previous Pay Commissions reveal about salary revisions, implementation timelines and arrears.

The 8th CPC is consulting employees, pensioners and other stakeholders before submitting recommendations on pay, allowances, benefits and pensions. Its report is due by May 2027. A year since constitution, here are the key updates 

SEBIs PRIM route lowers the minimum investment for portfolio management services to 25 lakh from 50 lakh under the conventional PMS route. But renewals are treated as fresh investments, raising questions about investors whose portfolios fall below the threshold. 

Gold and silver prices today, 16 October: 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.

DA news update: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government is considering releasing a Dearness Allowance (DA) instalment on Diwali this year. Here's what we know 

Bandhan AMCs Suyash Choudhary explains how rising rates affect savers, why investors should keep debt portfolio duration short, and how to balance yield, credit quality and currency risk.

SEBI is exploring the inclusion of insurance policy details in the Consolidated Account Statement (CAS), which already covers investments such as mutual funds, equities, debt securities and NPS. 

A 5,000 monthly SIP in a small-cap mutual fund could grow significantly over 20 years. Compare illustrative SIP returns of 12% to 18% with bank deposit returns of 6% to 8% and understand the risks of long-term investing. Seek professional guidance before making any investments. 

Several large Indian mutual funds, including HDFC, Kotak Mahindra and UTI, halted bulk subscriptions to gold ETFs ahead of the festive season. Here's what changes for investors and what happens to your existing SIPs 

Credit card reward points can help save money during the festive season, but redeeming points that are about to expire should not lead to unnecessary spending. Check expiry dates, compare redemption options and understand restrictions before deciding whether to use your rewards or let them expire.

Rising cyberattacks and online fraud underscore the risks of identity theft and financial loss. Personal cyber insurance may cover eligible incidents, including phishing and unauthorised transactions. Here's all you need to know.

The Centre has approved a 30-day ad-hoc bonus for eligible Central government employees for 2025-26. The payout can reach 6,908 under the 7,000 monthly calculation ceiling, with pro-rata payments for shorter service and separate eligibility rules for casual labourers.

A retired LIC employee won ITAT Jaipur relief on 9.04 lakh in leave encashment after the tax department restricted her exemption to 3 lakh. The ruling examines whether the enhanced 25 lakh limit introduced in 2023 can benefit employees who retired earlier.

For now, investors  see continued central bank buying and demand for safe-haven assets as key supports for bullion. However, predictions of fresh record highs remain forecasts rather than guarantees.

Sundaram Finance has raised fixed deposit rates from October 16, 2026. Check revised rates across different tenures. 

Salary hikes may not increase savings if lifestyle expenses rise alongside income. Here are five money habits young professionals should watch, from lifestyle inflation to emergency fund planning.

EPFO has extended the deadline for employers to file September 2026 PF returns and deposit contributions to 31 October from 15 October. The extension follows the revision of the PF wage ceiling and gives employers more time to complete compliance formalities.

Diwali cash bonuses from employers are taxed as salary at the employees applicable tax rate. Here's when gifts are exempt from tax and how to report it in ITR. 

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed authorities to pay widow pension arrears from the date of application, ruling that administrative delays cannot deprive eligible beneficiaries of their entitlement. The arrears must be paid within eight weeks. 

A 26-year-old earning 40,000 a month should prioritise adequate health insurance coverage, compare policy exclusions and hospital networks, and choose add-ons such as restoration, maternity and OPD benefits based on costs and individual needs.

A 25-year-old living independently in a Tier 1 city may need a monthly take-home salary of 70,000 to 1.4 lakh to meet living expenses and save 20-30% of income, depending on the city and lifestyle.

Akash Ambani said India's digital economy is expected to reach $1.4 trillion by FY31, adding that Jio Platforms expects to capture a significant share of the market.

Reliance Jio Platforms IPO could reshape mutual fund exposure to Indias telecom sector. While some schemes have significant allocations to Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, the impact will depend on valuations and fund managers' investment strategies. Here's what you need to know. 

The reporting mechanism could help authorities identify suspicious transactions, including instances where services are falsely declared to move money across borders.

A credit score above 750 can strengthen a personal loan application, but it does not guarantee approval. Here's why.

The tribunal held that a taxpayer could claim Section 54 exemption for the basement, ground floor and third floor received after redevelopment, while also directing a revised calculation of capital gains using a registered valuers report.

Dave Ramsey recommends teaching children four balanced money habits. He is the author of the international bestseller, The Total Money Makeover.

IDBI Banks proposed stake sale to Fairfax has raised questions for depositors, FD holders and employees. What could the ownership transition mean for existing deposits, interest rates, banking charges and job security? Here is what experts say.

Over the next five years, people could use AI to support services such as website design, writing, translation, and business consulting, or to build courses, videos and products. 

SGB 2019-20 Series V investors can redeem their bonds at 14,725 per gram on October 15, 2026. Price gains range from 289% to 294%, excluding interest and taxes. Budget 2026 changes mean premature redemption is no longer eligible for the capital gains tax exemption.

David Bachs The Automatic Millionaire argues that building wealth depends less on earning a large salary than on creating habits that make saving and investing automatic. 

Gen Z has more financial advice at its fingertips than any generation before it. But with influencers, family, friends and AI offering competing answers, knowing whom to trust is the real challenge.

Gold and silver prices rebounded on October 15 after a three-day losing streak, following a sharp selloff. While easing Treasury yields and a weaker dollar supported the recovery, shifting Fed rate expectations remain key factors to watch.

NCERTs new Class 9 chapter covers budgeting, saving, investing, insurance and tax. But teachers and experts say lasting money habits will depend on classroom practice, parental involvement and progressive learning.

Hyderabad-born Prem Watsa built Fairfax Financial Holdings into a global insurance and investment business, drawing inspiration from Warren Buffett. The IIT Madras alumnus moved to Canada with just $8.

India leads Huruns U35 comparisons with 180 entrepreneurs, ahead of Chinas 101 and the UKs 62. It also has the most women.

Dearness allowance hike: Central government employees are still awaiting clarity on the July 2026 dearness allowance hike after the Union Cabinets latest meeting. While the announcement remains pending, two other proposals have received approval. 

Romita Mazumdar, Foxtales founder and CEO, is the youngest woman on the Avendus WealthHurun India U35 List 2026. The 31-year-old launched the skincare company in 2021 after working in investment banking and private equity. 

Sectoral mutual funds: Banking, automobiles, power and healthcare are among the sectors offering opportunities amid diverging performance between large-cap and small-cap indices in H1FY27. Here is what investors should know about the outlook. 

HDFC Small Cap Fund has delivered negative returns in 2026 so far, while Bank of India Small Cap Fund leads the category with 32.71% returns. Differences in small-cap allocation, sector exposure and stock selection offer insights into the contrasting performance of the two schemes.

The Union Cabinet has approved renaming the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and revising disability pension rules. Monthly assistance will rise to 375 for beneficiaries aged 0-79 and 625 for those aged 80 and above, while the disability threshold drops from 80% to 40%.

Report the transaction through your UPI app and bank immediately to improve your chances of recovering the money

Indian residents earning dividends from US stocks generally receive payouts after US withholding tax. The full dividend is again taxable in India. Here's how to claim relief.

The Supreme Court has directed Indian Railways to make insurance mandatory for all tickets bought at station counters from October 27, 2026, extending coverage already available optionally to online ticket holders. Details here. 

Being an executor involves managing a deceased persons estate, settling liabilities and distributing assets. Heres what the role entails and when you can renounce it.

A credit score may not rise immediately after the final EMI; lenders must first report the loan closure to credit bureaus.

EPFOs new EPF rules group partial withdrawals into essential needs, housing and special circumstances, with a 12-month minimum membership requirement. Details here.

From April 1, 2026, Form 121 replaces Forms 15G and 15H for eligible taxpayers seeking TDS relief on specified income, including qualifying EPF withdrawals. Check who can submit the new declaration, its validity and why it does not automatically make taxable withdrawals tax-free.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister's Ladli Behna Yojana will be released on Wednesday, October 15. About 1.25 crore women will be receiving money transfer of more than 1,834 crore this time.