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Experts explain whether FCNR deposit interest remains tax-free after returning to India and whether a five-month stay in India triggers tax residency under current rules.

As the July 31 ITR filing deadline nears, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged tax officials to let honest taxpayers correct genuine mistakes. She also outlined the 5Rs of responsive tax governance and called for greater tax certainty and lower litigation.

Market volatility is inevitable, but experts say investors can avoid emotional decisions by planning ahead. From setting investment rules to building an emergency fund, here's how to prepare your SIP before markets turn turbulent.

The Labour Ministry has completed bank verification for 1.18 lakh dormant EPFO accounts under its auto-refund pilot. The system is expected to be ready by August-end, allowing eligible subscribers to receive their PF money without filing a claim.

Gold and silver prices today, 24 July: 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. 

ITR filing deadline 2026 is just five days away for salaried taxpayers, pensioners and investors. Here's who must file by 31 July, key due dates, essential verification steps, filing checklist and practical tips to avoid last-minute errors and refund delays.

Experts say pausing a SIP should be driven by financial emergencies such as job loss or medical expenses, not market volatility. Here's when it makes sense to hit pause and when staying invested could work in your favour.

A healthy credit mix can improve your credit profile by showing responsible borrowing behaviour. Here's how secured and unsecured loans, timely repayments and low credit utilization influence credit scores constructively and help borrowers access better financial opportunities.

The 8th Pay Commission is holding stakeholder meetings and consultations. Central government employees can track key developments and submission deadlines before recommendations on salaries, pensions and allowances are finalized.

A missing property document can lead to legal disputes over inheritance. Estate planning is essential for ensuring asset distribution aligns with one's wishes and minimises conflict among heirs after the owner's death. Here are the key components of estate planning. 

In August 2026, RBI has marked 14 holidays for banks, during which in-branch services will not be available. UPI, ATM and other such essential services remain functional on holidays. Check full RBI's bank holiday calendar for next month here.

EPFO employees will experience faster settlements for provident fund, pension, and insurance claims, with a 20-day processing rule. Delays incur a 12% penal interest. Here's how employees can submit their complaints. 

EPFO members have begun receiving the annual interest of 8.25% for FY2025-26 in their provident fund accounts, starting July 15. Interest is credited annually, and updates may take time to display, but any delays do not affect the amount earned.

Transferring money to a low-income spouse to reduce tax liability can backfire, as income may be taxed in your hands under clubbing provisions if invested. Details here.

EPF withdrawals are tax-free if an employee completes five years of continuous service. Withdrawals before five years may be taxable, except in certain cases such as ill health or employer closure. TDS rules depend on the withdrawal amount. 

The same real estate exposure can result in different post-tax returns. REIT mutual funds and listed REITs offer a shorter holding period for long-term capital gains than direct property, while differences in income taxation and TDS can further impact investor returns.

Missing the ITR due date can have consequences beyond a late filing fee. Delayed filing may lead to interest on unpaid taxes and the loss of key tax benefits, such as carrying forward capital losses. Knowing the applicable deadline can help taxpayers avoid unnecessary costs.

Need urgent cash? Check whether breaking a fixed deposit or taking a loan against an FD is the better option. Compare costs, penalties, interest rates and repayment factors to make a smarter financial decision while protecting your long-term savings.

Social security: Over 31.78 crore unorganised workers are registered on e-Shram porta till July 2026. Today, we take a look at how you can apply, the eligibility criteria and most frequently asked questions

Wider acceptance of UPI abroad benefits Indian tourists, students and business travelers by allowing use familiar mobile apps for payments instead of reliance on international debit or credit cards.

Asset allocation across equities, debt and gold helps investors balance growth, stability and risk. Learn how diversification, age-based investing and regular portfolio rebalancing can improve long-term returns and protect wealth during market volatility.

Most domestic ETFs are trading close to their NAV, while some international ETFs trade at steep premiums due to supply constraints. Experts advise investors to compare an ETF's market price with its NAV or iNAV to avoid overpaying and make better investment decisions.

Credit cards offer convenience, rewards and credit-building opportunities, but only when used responsibly. Experts explain how timely repayments and disciplined spending can help individuals avoid debt, improve credit scores and maximise financial benefits while reducing borrowing risks.

Indian investors are reevaluating portfolio strategies amid market volatility. The US offers growth but is expensive, whereas China is cheaper yet carries risks. Experts suggest global diversification, with a recommended allocation of 15-25% for beginners and up to 50% for aggressive profiles.

Bank holidays this week: Banks in India will be closed for upto eleven days in the next month, but digital platforms like UPI and banking apps will remain operational. Customers should note that in-branch services are suspended on Sundays and specific regional holidays.

A new crop of funds claims to fix momentum investing's biggest flaw, but investors should wait for the funds to build a longer track-record.

The pouch system that economists call primitive is the discipline that stops you from robbing yourself.

Investors should update their nominee details after the nominee's death. The assets remain valid, but failing to appoint a new nominee can lead to delays and additional paperwork for beneficiaries in claiming investments later. Details here.

When making your financial plan, you can use systematic investment plan to build an emergency fund. Here's how to calculate how much to invest monthly using the 3-6-9 rule. We explain

A slowdown in demat account openings indicates a shift from speculative trading to long-term investing, says ClearTax CEO Archit Gupta. Here's why.

Warren Buffett plans to give away his $140 billion stake in Berkshire Hathaway by 2034, donating 12 million shares to four foundations. He emphasises his children's responsibility in managing the wealth while facing criticism over the effectiveness of foundations for aiding vulnerable Americans.

ITR deadline: While the overall e-filing process has become quicker, the process can be daunting for first-time filers. Here are five key things taxpayers should know to prepare before filing ITR.

A consumer commission ordered EPFO to refund 1,350 plus interest after miscalculating an employee's EPS withdrawal benefit. The commission ruled that EPFO used the wrong factor for calculations, leading to a shortfall in the payout. Details here.

A 32-year-old struggled with health due to long work hours and poor self-care, leading to a diabetes and hypertension diagnosis. His story highlights the relationship between health and financial risk, emphasizing the need for professionals to prioritize well-being alongside career goals.

Women awaiting payments from the Annapurna Bhandar scheme are checking the status of their funds. The scheme replaces the Lakshmi Bhandar and offers helpline numbers for assistance. Possible reasons for delayed payments include banking issues and incorrect application information.

Missing the ITR deadline leads to penalties and interest on the unpaid taxes where applicable. Here's why a due date extension is unlikely this year and hence taxpayers should consider filing their tax returns on time. 

EPFO: Today, look at how EPF subscribers can check their claim status for provident fund withdrawal, transfer, or pension fund in real-time using the official portal, Umang mobile app, SMS and missed call options.

The new tax regime is the default for taxpayers, with salaried individuals able to choose annually. Business income taxpayers face restrictive rules, allowing a one-time switch between regimes. 

Fixed deposits offer senior citizens stable returns, protecting their savings from market volatility. Leading small finance banks provide competitive rates for different tenures. 

The e-pay tax facility is a convenient option to pay taxes online as it allows payments via both pre-login and post-login options, and supports multiple payment methods. Details here. 

8th pay commission: From pension revision to various leaves and increment schedule Here's the full list of demands for allowances and benefits made by the NC-JMC for government employees and pensioners.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched India's first REIT-oriented mutual fund, with the NFO opening on August 5. The passive fund will track the Nifty REITs & Realty Total Return Index, offering exposure to listed REITs and real estate companies through a single investment.

DA hike: State government employees and pensioners in West Bengal expect the new 7th pay commission to address the dearness allowance gap with central government staff and retirees. Here's why the issue matters

Mumbai ITAT ruled that a taxpayer cannot be taxed for unexplained investment merely because one remittance document is unavailable if the entire transaction is otherwise backed by credible evidence. 

The Income Tax Department has launched a new Foreign Assets Information report on the e-Filing portal, allowing taxpayers to view overseas financial data received from foreign jurisdictions. 

ITAT has ruled that administrative controls such as attendance, fixed timings and leave approval do not, by themselves, create an employer-employee relationship. The tribunal quashed a 9.48 lakh tax demand, holding that contractual teachers were independent professionals.

The 8th Central Pay Commission has fixed August 7 and 10 for the next round of stakeholder consultations in Delhi. Employee associations that have already submitted memorandums can seek appointments until July 31, while more state-wise consultations are planned.

The Centre has clarified that it is not considering a universal minimum pension scheme for all citizens. According to an ET Online report, the government instead highlighted existing social security provisions under the Code on Social Security, 2020.

The performance of metal ETFs depends on the state of the economy, as they invest in industrial metals. While they are expected to grow during economic expansion, they carry more risk than gold and silver ETFs.

Running a SIP in fixed income works on a fundamentally different principle than running one in stocks