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Income Tax Act 2025: Old refund claims and pending assessments won't end with the new law what changed from April 2026

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.

22 Oct 2026 1:25 pm
5 money lessons from The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life' by bestselling author Morgan Housel

Morgan Housels The Art of Spending Money argues that good spending supports personal happiness rather than status or approval. 

22 Oct 2026 12:47 pm
Small-cap funds see better score on liquidity stress-test. What does it mean?

Estimates show small-cap funds have shortened their portfolio liquidation time this year due to higher stock trading volumes, despite managing 30% more assets. 

22 Oct 2026 11:41 am
Dearness allowance delay July 2026: Government employees await DA hike and arrears update what to watch next

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.

22 Oct 2026 11:21 am
Need an air ambulance? Your health policy may not cover the full cost

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.

22 Oct 2026 11:03 am
Gold, silver prices today, 22 October: Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold, 999 silver in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata

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. 

22 Oct 2026 9:55 am
GIFT City funds vs international mutual funds: Returns, minimum investment and tax compared

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.

22 Oct 2026 9:52 am
Sold a house and bought another within 2 years? Here's when capital gains could still be taxable Section 54 rules

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.

22 Oct 2026 7:40 am
Fuel prices today: Check petrol, diesel and CNG rates on 22 October in different cities across India

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, 

22 Oct 2026 7:04 am
Which transactions can trigger notice from Income Tax Department? Know rules for large cash deposits and UPI transfers

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.

21 Oct 2026 11:21 pm
Term insurance claim amount rejected after death: Which common mistakes can put your family's payout at risk? List here

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.

21 Oct 2026 9:42 pm
Retirement planning: How much should you invest in stocks and mutual funds after 60? Here's what expert suggests

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.

21 Oct 2026 5:15 pm
Last date alert! Income tax audit deadline ends today: Who must file? What happens if you miss the due date?

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. 

21 Oct 2026 4:10 pm
Mutual fund growth vs IDCW plans: Top 5 schemes returns compared, NAV differences What investors should know

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. 

21 Oct 2026 4:01 pm
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme: Have 30 lakh to invest? Check your quarterly interest, tax and maturity benefits

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.

21 Oct 2026 3:59 pm
Multi-million dollar deals to clean dirty linen in public: How celebrities make massive fortunes with their memoirs

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.

21 Oct 2026 3:20 pm
Wedding Season 2026: Gold prices crashed over 5% in a month Should you buy jewellery now or wait? Experts suggest

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.

21 Oct 2026 3:01 pm
What goes wrong? Why most entertainment, sports celeb brands fail, struggle to make profits - These might be key reasons

Celebrity brands can attract attention, but lasting success depends on product quality, fair pricing, repeat purchases and sound management. 

21 Oct 2026 2:20 pm
Bonding with bonds: high yields possible, but be mindful of the risks

Double-digit bond yields can be attractive, but investors should remember that higher returns come with higher credit and default risks. 

21 Oct 2026 2:13 pm
Government securities tax rules: How are interest income and capital gains taxed for resident and foreign investors?

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.

21 Oct 2026 1:52 pm
Mutual funds got nearly 34% of Jio Platforms IPO anchor book allocation: Which schemes will own Jio shares? Expert views

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.

21 Oct 2026 12:44 pm
Dinner with strangers, 1,500 a ticket: the economics of Indias at-home social clubs

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.

21 Oct 2026 12:42 pm
Planning to go green? Do solar panels and EV chargers actually slash your utility bills and save you money? Decoded

Solar panels and home EV charging can deliver substantial savings but conditions apply. 

21 Oct 2026 11:49 am
Made an error while paying income tax? How to request challan corrections, key deadlines and tax year changes

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.

21 Oct 2026 11:35 am
Gold, silver prices today, 21 October: Check retail rates of 24K, 22K gold, 999 silver in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata

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.

21 Oct 2026 9:56 am
SIFs vs mutual funds performance in 2026: Equity and hybrid scheme returns, risks compared what investors need to know

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. 

21 Oct 2026 9:00 am
Finance Ministry exempts interest on NDB's Maharaja Bonds from TDS: What changes for resident investors and FIIs?

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.

21 Oct 2026 7:50 am
Small-cap mutual funds: Should you pick funds with high index overlap? What one-year returns show

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.

20 Oct 2026 11:43 pm
Bought a 50 lakh LIC policy on 4.81 lakh income? Why ITAT rejected the womans claim and upheld the tax addition

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.

20 Oct 2026 10:59 pm
CBDT notifies Form 173A for government securities: New tax exemption rules for eligible foreign investors

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.

20 Oct 2026 10:08 pm
Indian equities vs gold vs US stocks: Which asset class delivered the highest returns in 2026 so far?

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.

20 Oct 2026 8:47 pm
One family brand, two heirs: how can you avoid trademark disputes?

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.

20 Oct 2026 7:37 pm
Emergency fund: Earn 1 lakh a month? Heres how much you should save for 6, 9 or 12 months, experts explain

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.

20 Oct 2026 7:32 pm
Land dispute lasted 23 years and ended in a 1.5 crore payout. Why did ITAT classify it as capital gains?

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.

20 Oct 2026 6:22 pm
Form 141 TDS filing: What changes for property buyers, tenants and taxpayers under the new Income Tax Act

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.

20 Oct 2026 5:12 pm
DA hike 2026: Will government employees get a festive salary boost after Dussehra? October 21 holds the key

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.

20 Oct 2026 4:11 pm
LIC Certificate of Existence: What is it, why is it needed and how can pensioners submit it in 5 simple steps?

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.

20 Oct 2026 3:12 pm
Financial assistance: Maharashtra farmers to receive 5,000 Diwali bonus as relief measure amid droughtAll we know

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. 

20 Oct 2026 3:06 pm
Flying home for Diwali? Why flight ticket prices are soaring and what exactly you are paying for | Explained

Higher fuel costs have increased airlines' operational expenses and are eventually being passed on to consumers.

20 Oct 2026 2:55 pm
Rationale or aspirational? What drives car buying? Why Gen Z is moving towards higher-value purchases, big EMI and loans

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.

20 Oct 2026 2:41 pm
Home loan of 30 lakh, 50 lakh or 1 crore: Higher EMI or longer tenureHere's what works better. Calculation explained

After the RBI raised repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50%, several banks hiked lending benchmarks, making home loans more expensive. Borrowers can raise EMIs or extend repayment periods, we illustrate how both compare for 30 lakh, 50 lakh, 80 lakh or 1 crore home loans

20 Oct 2026 2:13 pm
Top 5 money lessons, financial learnings from international bestseller The Latte Factor by David Bach-John David Mann

The Latte Factor argues that building wealth may depend less on earning more than on changing spending habits. The book recommends saving first, automating contributions, tracking small expenses, and linking savings to meaningful goals. 

20 Oct 2026 1:56 pm
Snowy Alps, lakeside Airbnbs and road trips: an 8-day Swiss holiday for 1.5 lakh per person

A family of five from Noida spent 7.84 lakh on a winter holiday in Switzerland. Affordable flights, countryside Airbnbs, a rental car and home-cooked meals helped keep costs in check.

20 Oct 2026 1:52 pm
You earn up to 25,000? EPFO urges employees to enrol in EPF through employers to secure social security benefits

EPFO has urged employees earning up to 25,000 a month to check their eligibility for Employees Provident Fund enrolment through employers. Know the potential EPF savings, pension and life insurance benefits, revised wage ceiling and steps workers should take.

20 Oct 2026 1:48 pm
A marriage made in heaven: how the humble QR code met the small merchant

UPI transformed merchant payments from a cash-and-change routine into a low-cost digital habit. As India reconsiders MDR, the challenge is to fund future innovation and cyber resilience without undermining adoption.

20 Oct 2026 12:41 pm
Changed jobs? What happens to your Corporate NPS account, accumulated corpus and future contributions? Details explained

Changing jobs doesnt mean closing your NPS account. Your PRAN stays with you, your corpus remains invested, and contributions can continue through your new employers Corporate NPS or, if there isnt one, under the All Citizen Model.

20 Oct 2026 12:33 pm
SBI cyber fraud: Kerala HC orders 3.73 lakh refund. Can you get a refund after sharing an OTP?

Kerala High Court directed SBI to refund 3.73 lakh to a retired college principal who lost money after sharing an OTP with a fraudster posing as a bank official. Here is how the scam worked, five lessons every bank customer should take from the case, and what the RBIs zero-liability rule says.

20 Oct 2026 10:47 am
EPFO shares stepwise guide on PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: How salaried workers can unlock full 15,000 incentive

Under PM-VBRY, eligible first-time EPFO-registered employees earning up to 1 lakh monthly may receive incentives of up to 15,000. The first installment is paid after six months of service; here's how to avail the second installment 

20 Oct 2026 10:43 am
Dussehra 2026: 5 money rules to control spending and avoid debt

Dussehra 2026: Dussehra sales tempting you? Follow these 5 personal finance rules to enjoy the festival without overspending or taking on debt.

20 Oct 2026 9:04 am
8th pay commission Mumbai official visit: Work conditions, to operations What's on agenda for railway dept meetings?

The 8th CPC is likely to visit various railway departments in Mumbai to gain firsthand experience of employees' working conditions. On the agenda is observation of daily operations, duties and job risks.

20 Oct 2026 8:40 am