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The central government has notified EPS-2026, replacing previous versions. Effective from June 29, 2026, it clarifies eligibility, membership conditions, and pension benefits, while keeping the minimum monthly pension at 1,000 unchanged.
Hidden credit card charges can quietly increase your borrowing costs and reduce your savings. Understanding key fees, payment terms and reward costs helps you manage your credit card wisely and avoid unnecessary expenses while making smarter financial decisions.
Many investors believe that tax-free long-term capital gains also mean they can skip filing an income tax return. Experts say the 1.25 lakh exemption under Section 112A only determines tax liability, not whether ITR filing is mandatory.
Smart tax planning for retirees can unlock valuable savings in ITR 2026. This guide explains pensioner tax deductions, old vs new tax regime benefits, key exemptions, and essential filing tips to help reduce taxable income and improve retirement finances.
Investors holding eligible Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) tranches can opt for premature redemption after completing the mandatory five-year holding period.
Gold and silver prices today, 3 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.
EPFO has introduced a three-day timeline for settling eligible PF claims as part of a broader overhaul of its services. The reforms also simplify withdrawals, expand auto-settlement and pave the way for more digital member services.
Clarity on TDS on rent paid to joint owners shows the 50,000 threshold applies per landlord, not per property. Joint ownership rent splits decide tax deduction, ensuring accurate compliance under Section 194IB and avoiding unnecessary deductions.
If you drive infrequently, a pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) policy could significantly lower your car insurance premium. Here's how it works, who should opt for it, and the risks to watch for.
The 8th Pay Commission is entering a crucial stage, with stakeholder meetings being held in Odisha and West Bengal to discuss salaries, pensions, allowances, and the fitment factor.
Several banks have altered credit card rewards, which may make cardholders reassess how many cards they need. I asked ChatGPT how many credit cards are too many and experts filled in the gaps with what AI missed.
I asked ChatGPT how rich Indians must become for the country to be considered developed. We then compared the responses to what Axis Bank's chief economist Neelkanth Mishra said on the matter. Here's a look...
Working for a foreign client means income may be taxed in both the foreign country and India. However, Indian residents can claim foreign tax credit by filing Form 67. Details here.
The government's new EPF Scheme 2026 has come into effect as part of the Social Security Code 2020. Today, we explore and explain how and what has changed for EPFO subscribers and what remains the same.
The central government has implemented EPS, 2026, replacing older pension schemes. Key provisions remain intact, but questions about eligibility for employees leaving before 10 years persist. Here's what the new rules say.
The yens weakness is not just a Japan story. For Indian investors, the impact is mostly indirect. While short-term volatility may rise if global carry trades unwind, experts agree that disciplined long-term investing remains the most effective way to navigate these macro cycles.
The Centre has introduced the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 2026, replacing older versions. While procedural changes have been made, the minimum monthly pension remains fixed at 1,000, unchanged since 2014.
Bajaj Auto's 5,632.8-crore share buyback will be taxed under the new capital gains framework that came into effect on April 1, 2026, changing how shareholders report and pay tax on shares accepted in the buyback.
If an insurance policy has been issued without informed consent or through misrepresentation, the policyholder has the right to challenge the transaction.
8th pay commission: With discussions underway, we calculate how much of a salary hike the minimum estimate of 1.83 fitment factor could provide for central government employees and pensioners. Here's a look
Indian residents with foreign stocks, employee stock ownership plan or bank accounts must disclose them in Schedule FA regardless of whether they were sold.
AI and behavioural data can help lenders tailor debt recovery to each borrower's circumstancesimproving repayments while replacing aggressive collections with more empathetic engagement.
The Supreme Court clarified income assessment for motor accident compensation, addressing salaried and self-employed individuals, and non-filers. Details here.
The refund amount calculated while filing your ITR is not always the amount you'll receive. Here's why the Income Tax Department may issue a lower refund after processing your return and what you should do if the amount doesn't match
Digital-first shift transforms retirement services. EPFO reforms under the new 2026 social security schemes introduce strict 20-day claim settlement timelines, real-time tracking, and digital compliance, improving transparency, accountability, and faster processing of pension and PF benefits.
Based on one-year CAGR performance, Bank of India Overnight Fund emerged as the best-performing scheme in the category with 1-year return of 5.59%, followed by Franklin India Overnight Fund and Bajaj Finserv Overnight Fund.
Annual Information Statement (AIS) stock market transaction reconciliation helps taxpayers ensure accurate ITR filing by matching broker records with AIS data. It improves capital gains accuracy, prevents errors and supports compliant income tax reporting for investors in equity markets.
EPFO has extended its ongoing system migration for the third time, delaying the restoration of online member and employer services until July 3. The prolonged outage continues to affect PF claim filing, passbook downloads, UAN login and other digital services.
The countrys biggest mutual fund scheme by assets under management (AUM), Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, manages over 1.41 lakh crore in assets. It is followed by HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund, which is the second-biggest scheme by AUM.
To avoid stock scams, verify information, consult certified advisors, and focus on disciplined investing. Beware of unsolicited tips, unusual price movements, and FOMO tactics. A diversified portfolio can protect against manipulation. SEBI's crackdown highlights the need for investor vigilance.
Choosing the right tax regime can significantly reduce your tax outgo. Here's a comparison of the tax liability on a 25 lakh annual salary under both the new and old tax regimes, and when each one makes sense.
Gold and silver prices today, 2 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.
EPF Scheme 2026: Here are the new withdrawal rules, eligibility, limits and conditions to help EPF members understand partial withdrawals under the revised framework.
The shift from Assessment Year to Tax Year has sparked questions about return filing obligations. A clarification from the Income Tax Department explains why taxpayers won't need to file two ITRs for the same income.
The 8th Pay Commission may reshape government salaries by taking key lessons from the 7th Pay Commission.
During the accumulation stage, investors will have access to regular income and a long investment horizon, allowing them to take advantage of the potential for growth in assets such as equities.
HDFC Bank has revised its SmartBuy rewards program, introducing a cap on reward points for brand voucher purchases on major premium credit cards. Here's what changes for customers.
Market swings often lead investors to seek ideal buying moments. However, historical data shows systematic investment plans outperform market timing strategies, as cash on the sidelines incurs opportunity costs.
The Centre has implemented the EPF Scheme, 2026, replacing the 1952 scheme. Effective June 29, 2026, it retains contribution rates while enhancing digital compliance and simplifying withdrawal processes for members. Details here.
SK Hynix commands a significant share of the HBM market and its Nasdaq listing may raise billions for expansion. However, the overall demand is high, suggesting both SK Hynix and Micron can grow together despite increased competition in memory chips.
Dream Sports will shut down its fintech platform Dream Money on July 30. Here's what happens to your mutual funds, fixed deposits and digital gold.
Capital gains tax can be minimized through strategic planning and compliance with the Income Tax Act. Taxpayers may claim exemptions, utilize capital losses, consider holding periods, maintain accurate records, and time sales effectively to reduce their tax liability legally.
Zerodha's Nithin Kamath highlights long account-opening processes as a barrier for NRIs to benefit from FCNR deposits. The RBI's favorable changes make it easier, but slow onboarding could diminish interest.
SEBI has proposed a performance-based fee framework for mutual funds, linking fees to a fund's performance rather than a fixed ratio. However, industry hesitance stems from operational challenges and complexities associated with variable fee structures.
The Magnificent Seven tech stocks lost $2.3 trillion in value in June due to uncertainty over AI investments. Major declines were noted for Microsoft and Nvidia. Investors are advised to diversify portfolios and consider market concentration to mitigate risks amidst fluctuating valuations.
As the last date of filing ITR looms closer, it is important to be careful about certain key factors. These include choosing the right ITR form and regime, and cross-verifying taxable income against the disclosures made in AIS/TIS.
The tax regime choice becomes more nuanced at a 20 lakh annual salary, where the Section 87A rebate is no longer available. A comparison shows whether common deductions under the old regime can outweigh the new regime's lower tax rates.
Section 215 of the Income Tax Act, 2025 allows eligible NRIs to claim exemption from long-term capital gains tax. But the benefit is available only if strict conditions on investment source and reinvestment are met.
Low-volatility mutual funds seek to cushion market downturns while keeping investors invested in equities. Understand how the strategy works and who should consider it.
Several financial changes come into effect from 1 July, including revised ITR filing deadlines, free Aadhaar email updates and new RBI rules against bank mis-selling. Here's how they could affect you.

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