Livemint

Mid-cap funds aim to outperform their benchmark through active management, but not all succeed. There are currently eight mid-cap funds with a negative alpha, with Taurus Mid Cap Fund having the lowest alpha of -7.20.

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation: Today we look at how much time EPF claims take to be settled, what the status message means, and what subscribers can do to rectify any delays and complete the process.

A financial master sheet is a single document that records the family's financial and administrative details, showing what assets exist, where they are held, and where supporting documents are stored.

Large-cap funds have seen their alpha generation decline over the years compared with the Nifty 50 TRI. While funds outperformed strongly during 2000-2009, the advantage narrowed in the following decade and turned negative after 2020.

Many taxpayers mistakenly assume that TDS-deducted income or tax-exempt LTCG need not be disclosed in their ITR. Such omissions can create mismatches with AIS and Form 26AS, leading to tax notices or adjustments even when no additional tax is payable.

The Maharashtra government has approved incentive allowance equivalent to 30% of basic pay for police officers and personnel in the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) under the 7th central pay commission. 

The government says the income tax e-filing portal can process up to 1 crore ITRs a day, but experts say taxpayers should not mistake higher capacity for a risk-free last-day filing experience. Here's why they don't expect an extension yet, and why waiting until July 31 could still be costly.

Active large-cap funds may not provide as much diversification as many investors expect. A study shows their sector allocations and stock portfolios closely mirror the Nifty 50, with the overlap becoming even higher among the largest funds. 

The income tax return filing season is nearing its end, with over 5 crore returns submitted. A significant question on the ITR form is causing confusion. Here's how to respond to it.

DA hike: West Bengal state government employees will receive their 20% dearness allowance increase and salaries for October before Durga Puja festivities, according to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. 

EPF subscribers are facing issues with overlapping employment records and missing data on the EPFO portal after its recent system migration. Lawyers explain whether employers can reject your job application solely due to EPFO portal error.

After filing ITR, taxpayers may receive notices due to mismatches in income, incorrect ITR forms, pending tax demands or any scrutiny by the Income Tax Department. Understanding why these notices are issued and how to avoid them can help ensure timely compliance and prevent penalties.

Section 10(14)(i) of the Income Tax Act offers exemptions on specific salary allowances, but only for genuine official expenses. Understand eligibility rules, documentation requirements, common mistakes and practical tips to claim tax benefits correctly while avoiding interest and penalties.

Many salaried taxpayers assume ITR-1 is the correct form, but additional income or a job change could require a different return. Experts explain the key checks to complete before filing your income tax return.

A Section 139(9) defective return notice and other income tax notices require timely action to avoid compliance issues. Experts explain how taxpayers should respond to Sections 139(9), 143(1), 142(1) and 148 notices, helping protect tax benefits and prevent unnecessary complications.

With the ITR deadline approaching, Section 10(14)(i) offers tax-saving potential for salaried employees. However, misuse can lead to scrutiny and hefty penalties. Experts explain eligibility, rules and consequences of false claims.

Passive funds aim to mirror benchmark returns, but market frictions create gaps. Here's how tracking error differs from tracking difference, why it occurs, and what investors should watch.

Non-Resident External (NRE) fixed deposit rates from DCB Bank, YES Bank, RBL and other banks offer NRIs returns of up to 7.50%. Compare interest rates, tax benefits, repatriation rules and key factors before investing in Indian NRE term deposits. 

The CBDT has introduced the ITR-BN form for block assessments from search and seizure cases. Effective from April 1, 2026, it applies only to taxpayers receiving such notices, aiming to streamline reporting of undisclosed income. Details here.

A cheap personal accident policy may seem like a smarter buy than term insurance in your 20s. But the two protect against different risksand one cannot replace the other.

Bond SIPs make investing in direct bonds easier through automated monthly purchases. But they don't eliminate credit risk. Here's what investors should know.

Arbitrage funds have emerged as the best-performing hybrid mutual fund category in 2026 so far, outperforming their peers amid volatile equity markets. Here's why the category is leading and the schemes that have delivered the highest returns over one and three years.

ITR Due Date Extension 2026 LIVE: The due date to file ITR is tomorrow. The government extended the deadline last year due to technical glitches, but a similar relief is unlikely this time, experts have repeatedly warned.

A Reddit user shared that their mother sold inherited property for 50 lakh in cash to a builder, lacking a banking trail. Experts warn of possible penalties and explain ITR filing rules.

Gold and silver prices today, 30 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.

Over 5 crore ITRs have been filed for AY 2026-27. Filing your return by 31 July can help build a consistent tax compliance record, which may support future home loan applications and help lenders assess income stability and repayment capacity.

The Centre has clarified that the 8th Pay Commission is not required to keep the government informed about its deliberations, including proposals on the fitment factor. It also declined to comment on employee demands, saying the Commission will determine its own procedure.

With the July 31 ITR filing deadline approaching, the Income Tax Department says over 5 crore returns have already been filed for AY 2026-27. Here's who should file ITR-1, who needs ITR-2, and why you shouldn't wait until the last minute.

The 8th Pay Commission may consider higher annual increments for central government employees as proposed by several prominent unions. A 5% increment scenario shows Level 1 basic pay rising from 18,000 per month to around 24,200 per month in five years.

Freelance income cannot always be reported as business income in ITR filings. Here is when earnings qualify as business income, salary, or other sources; common filing mistakes; presumptive taxation rules; and expert tips to avoid tax notices and ensure compliance before the 31 July deadline. 

The 31 July ITR filing deadline may not apply to all salaried taxpayers. The applicable due date depends on the taxpayers overall income profile, ITR form, and audit requirements. Those with business or professional income may get additional time. 

Large & mid-cap funds have historically delivered a balance between returns and volatility. Over the past 5 years, the benchmark index gave 14% returns, compared with 10% for large-caps and 18% for mid-caps. 

Despite varying investment strategies, some small-cap stocks are common across mutual fund portfolios. The latest analysis reveals the 10 most widely held small-cap stocks, with PNB Housing Finance featuring in 146 schemes, followed by Crompton Greaves and RBL Bank.

Taxpayers who filed their ITR in May or June should revisit their return before the 31 July deadline. Checking e-verification status, AIS, TIS, Form 26AS, TDS credits, bank details and reported income can help avoid errors and refund delays. 

The CPC first verifies that you've used the correct ITR form, filled in all mandatory schedules, and that there are no calculation errors. If it finds major issues, you may receive a defective return notice.

Lokesh Ahuja from Nykaa shared a cautionary tale about hidden AutoPay mandates after teaching his mother how to make UPI payments. He emphasises the importance of digital literacy.

A Chennai taxpayer faced a 1.92 lakh penalty after her tax consultant made errors in the ITR filing. ITAT Chennai waived the penalty, ruling that a genuine mistake by a tax professional cannot be treated as misreporting of income under Section 270A. 

A single, regularly updated financial master sheet can organize scattered accounts, key legal documents, and vital contacts before a crisis hits.

SIPs help reduce entry-timing risk through rupee-cost averaging but cannot shield investors from valuation, liquidity, concentration or fund-selection risks. Investors should not mistake SIPs for a complete risk-management strategy.

As the 31 July deadline for filing ITR approaches, taxpayers hope for an extension like in previous years. Here's why AY 2026-27 is different for tax filing.

Expecting an income tax refund this year? Filing your ITR is only half the job. Simple mistakes like an unvalidated bank account, TDS mismatch or pending tax demand can delay your refund even after the return is processed.

July 2026 FD rates show small finance banks offering up to 8.10% interest, ahead of leading private and public sector banks. Compare FD rates, tenures and key investment factors across seven major lenders before booking a fixed deposit to secure better returns.

With the July 31 ITR filing deadline nearing, experts warn that waiting until the last day could cost taxpayers far more than just a late filing fee. From losing tax benefits to delayed refunds and portal glitches, here's why filing early is the smarter choice.

Healthcare needs aren't staticthey change with age, family responsibilities and personal circumstances. A 28-year-old navigating burnout, a 32-year-old planning a family, and a 45-year-old supporting ageing parents all need very different forms of care.

Government clarified that EPS 1995 and EFPS 1971 beneficiaries will continue to receive pensions under EPS 2026. Pension calculation, contribution rates and eligibility remain unchanged, while the new scheme introduces faster digital claim processing and electronic pension disbursement.

NRIs inheriting financial assets in India often face delays due to missing documents, KYC issues and nomination gaps. Experts explain the steps, paperwork and common mistakes that can help ensure a smoother transmission process.

Sebi's proposed MF-only PMS lowers the investment threshold to 25 lakh, opening customized mutual fund portfolios to more investors.

Cash, property, or gifts over 50,000 from non-relatives are taxable, but relief options also exist for residents, which can reduce tax liability significantly or to zero. Details here.

A Delhi ITAT ruling clarifies that taxpayers can correct an ITR if overseas salary was wrongly reported as taxable in India. But if the income is exempt under the DTAA, foreign tax credit cannot be claimed.

Income tax filing deadline 2026 LIVE Updates: The due date to file ITR is around the corner, and more than 4.3 crore ITRs have already been filed so far. Here's everything you need to know about the filing process, deadline information, e-filing portal status and other such developments.