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Agricultural land is generally not a capital asset unless it falls within urban limits. If taxable as LTCG, Section 54F may allow a deduction for reinvestment in a house.

8th pay commission decisions are expected to benefit more than 1 crore beneficiaries. Here's how much fitment factor between 1.83, 2, 2.57 and 3.83 can hike salaries for central government employees and pensioners.

Confused between ITR-3 and ITR-4 for AY 2026-27? The Income Tax Department has shared a quick checklist to help taxpayers identify the right form based on their income, taxation method and other conditions. Heres what you need to know before filing by 31 August.

The EPFO treats the UAN as a permanent identifier for your entire professional life. When starting a new position, share your current UAN instead of registering for a replacement

A component of your basic salary for central government employees and pensioners, dearness allowance is subject to income-tax. Here's a look at how it should be reported in your ITR and what is the tax slab.

PFRDA is encouraging wider participation from mutual fund distributors to expand NPS coverage. The StAR NPS platform enables assisted digital onboarding through eligible distributors. Here's how the process works and what investors should know.

Exercising ESOPs requires significant upfront capital to cover exercise prices and perquisite taxes, exposing employees to substantial valuation and illiquidity risks if an exit is delayed or delivers lower-than-expected returns.

A record monthly total can keep rising even as the smallest savers, the ones it was meant to celebrate, give up and walk away.

Resident accounts are designed for individuals residing in India. While NRIs and PIOs are barred from holding them, Overseas Citizens of India may do so under specific regulatory circumstances

Mutual funds increased their exposure to stocks across large-, mid-, and small-cap segments in July 2026. Buying was spread across sectors including banking, financial services, and consumer services, with several stocks seeing notable additions to fund portfolios.

Salaried employees often engage in side businesses for extra income. This income must be reported when filing tax returns, with specific ITR forms applicable based on income type. Details here.

Women's participation in mutual fund investments has risen, with 1.61 crore women among a total of 6.09 crore investors by March 2026. Here's why they are betting big on gold.

Content creator and self-claimed personal finance expert Aruna Keerthy shared the simple trick to save money while repaying debt at the same time. Check it out.

Prominent small finance banks such as Equitas, Shivalik, Jana, Ujjivan, ESAF and Suryoday offer senior citizens FD rates of up to 8.50% in August 2026. Compare tenure, liquidity, tax impact and deposit insurance before investing, and seek advice from a certified financial adviser if needed.

An SEBI Registered Investment Adviser warned bank customers about fraudulent messages. He shared tips to identify scams by verifying sender details and checking for deceptive characters in sender names. 

SPARSH pension portal lets defence pensioners check pension payments, PPO details, disability benefits, gratuity, commutation, dearness relief and life-certificate status online. Here is a simple five-step guide to accessing pension records and raising grievances when discrepancies arise.

Should you buy a home or continue renting? Real estate developer Niranjan Hiranandani shared his view on home ownership, capital creation and construction quality during an episode of Figuring Out with Raj Shamani. 

Customers facing incorrect bank fees or unauthorised transactions can file complaints through their bank's grievance process. If unresolved, they may escalate to the RBI. Here's the full process.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana calculator: See how investing 5,000 monthly could grow to around 2728 lakh at maturity, based on an assumed 8.2% interest rate. Having a clear understanding of the scheme's salient features is essential for planning future investments. 

Non-resident Indians sending money to parents in India face scrutiny from tax authorities if transfers lack documentation. Here are the rules one should be aware of.

PPF vs NSC: Compare the returns on 5 lakh over five years, along with 2026 interest rates, tax treatment, maturity and investment limits. Find out which government-backed savings scheme may better suit your short-term or long-term financial goals.

Switching jobs does not halt your EPF savings as your balance and  future contributions depends on your employment type. Here's what happens if you switch jobs, start a business or move to an exempted PF trust. 

The 8th Pay Commissions fitment factor could impact central government salaries. Here are tentative Level 58 basic pay calculations under the 2.0, 2.1, 2.25, and 2.57 fitment factors, along with key employee demands and upcoming consultation details that employees and pensioners should know about.

Equities, debt and precious metals are moving through different cycles, making it difficult for investors to identify the next winning asset class. Here is why multi-asset allocation can help investors diversify risk and navigate uncertain market conditions.

EPFO has launched a special drive, allowing establishments to regularise their past records and enrol previously uncovered employees for social security benefits. Check last date, eligibility, full process and other details here.

Bank holidays this week: SBI, HDFC, ICICI, PNB and other banks will remain closed for upto 4 days between 24 and 30 August. Check exact dates with RBI's holiday calendar.

EPFO has reminded members of the importance of completing 10 years of eligible service to receive monthly pension benefits. Here is what members should know about PF withdrawals, scheme certificates, service continuity and retirement planning.

FundsIndias 25-year analysis compares different combinations of equity, debt and gold to see how asset allocation affects returns and portfolio volatility. The 70:15:15 mix delivered a 15% average seven-year return and crossed 10% annualised returns in 92% of rolling periods.

Credit card EMI can ease monthly cash flow, but it may also increase the overall cost of a purchase. Experts explain how interest, processing fees, tenure and rewards affect the final repayment, highlighting the importance of careful planning before opting for EMI.

Investment advice may seem simple, but executing it is often emotionally challenging. Investors struggle to adhere to systematic investment plans during market downturns, experiencing fear and anxiety despite knowing what to do. 

The Supreme Court has rejected a retired NIRD professors plea to switch from the CPF to GPF scheme after retirement. The court said he had accepted the terms of regularisation and received CPF benefits without challenging the conditions at the time.

India Post RPLI elibility expanded: The change is aimed at helping policyholders who move from rural to urban areas maintain their insurance by enabling them to pay premiums through a savings account with any scheduled bank.

FAST-DS 2026 gives eligible taxpayers a one-time opportunity to disclose certain foreign assets and dormant overseas bank accounts by 31 December 2026. Heres who can use the scheme, the 1 crore and 5 crore limits, and how the disclosure works.

AI allows investors to compare investment options, estimate their retirement corpus or review their portfolio in mere seconds by transforming hours of complex financial research into a simple conversation.

 Employer contributions and tax-free withdrawals enhance EPF's attractiveness, according to EPFO. The stock market serves different financial goals, it says.

The 8th Pay Commissions current terms of reference do not explicitly provide for pension revision for employees who retired before 1 January 2026. Past Pay Commissions show that the government can amend their ToR, but pensioners demands for a change to the 8th CPC mandate are yet to be accepted.

Retirement planning requires early planning and taking various factors into consideration. For a 5 crore corpus by 60, monthly mutual fund SIP amounts can vary based on your age. Check calculations here.

Indias retirement-income replacement rate is around 3540%, below the global level of about 60%, PFRDA chief S. Ramann said. As PFRDA targets 30 crore NPS and APY subscribers, the regulator is urging Indians to build larger retirement savings through regular investments.

In India, professional tax is deducted from salaries or paid directly by self-employed individuals. The structure varies by state, but not every state imposes this tax. Details here.

A 2.0 fitment factor under the 8th Pay Commission could double basic pay, but it may not double the gross salary of central government employees. Heres why DA, HRA and other allowances could make the actual salary increase much lower.

With the August 31 ITR deadline approaching, freelancers must ensure that they select the appropriate ITR form, report foreign income, and deduct eligible business expenses, ensuring compliance to avoid penalties. All FAQs answered here.

EPF does not always stop earning interest when you leave a job or retire. EPFO rules explain when interest continues, when an account becomes inoperative and what happens to the balance.

A defence employees' federation has proposed 72,000 as the minimum monthly pay for central government employees under the 8th CPC, up from 18,000. Its three-step formula factors in national income growth, a larger family unit and fiscal prudence.

In a recent legal dispute, a daughter sued her father for withdrawing funds before she could claim it upon maturity. The Delhi High Court ruled in her favor. Here's what parents can and cannot do with their childs savings.

HSBC has reopened three international mutual funds to fresh SIPs and lump-sum investments, with a 2 lakh monthly limit. The funds offer exposure to emerging markets, Asia-Pacific and Brazil, with one-year returns ranging from 28.9% to 53.6%.

Unlimited sum insured removes the fixed monetary ceiling on eligible hospitalisation claims, but it does not mean every medical expense is covered. Heres what unlimited health insurance mean, its benefits against rising medical costs, and the exclusions policyholders should know.

ITAT Delhi overturned a 3.74 lakh penalty on a salaried employee who earned 30 lakh salary , as the delay in ITR filing was due to procedural lapses, not intent to under-report. Details here.

Struggling with loan repayments? Learn how early communication with lenders, debt prioritisation, spending control and restructuring options can help borrowers manage EMIs, reduce financial stress and protect their credit profile from further damage.

Should spouses buy separate term insurance plans? Experts explain how couples can assess income, household contributions, liabilities, dependants and future goals to determine suitable life insurance cover and avoid financial protection gaps for their families.

Passive funds generally have lower expense ratios because the fund manager is not actively selecting stocks. Over a long investment period, even a small difference in annual cost can make a meaningful difference to the final corpus.