Livemint

The ITR-4 deadline is approaching for taxpayers using presumptive taxation. Sections 44AD, 44ADA and 44AE offer simplified tax rules for eligible businesses, professionals and goods-carriage operators. Heres who can opt, the income limits and key conditions to know.

Is it possible to reach his 10 crore goal in 15 years simply with SIPs? Check out the simple calculations behind the investment strategy.

Having multiple health insurance policies can help cover a hospital bill when one policy falls short. Here is how insurers coordinate claims, which policy pays first and how much you can actually receive.

The Universal Account Number is a 12-digit EPFO identifier that links an employees PF member IDs across jobs. Check how UAN simplifies EPF management, enables online access to PF balances, passbooks, transfers and claims, and helps employees maintain accurate, secure retirement records.

Under the arrangement, Axis Bank will issue standby letters of credit to support financing provided by Citigroup through its offshore operations

Small savings schemes vary based on individual needs and tax situations. Notable options include PPF with 7.1% interest, SSY at 8.2%, and NSC at 7.7%, each with tax benefits, lock-in periods, and unique characteristics.

PPF investment calculator: See how 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 monthly investments could grow over 15 years at 7.1%. Check the PPF returns, tax benefits, contribution limits and long-term savings. 

Working abroad or hiring a foreign national in India? EPFOs International Worker rules can change how much you contribute, when you can withdraw EPF and how social-security benefits work.

On examining the return and the applicable compliance requirements, we found that the taxpayer had selected the new tax regime but had not furnished Form 10-IEA. The department consequently processed the return under the old regime.

Only three equity savings funds delivered 10%+ SIP returns over five years, led by HSBC Equity Savings Fund at 12.54%. Edelweiss and Kotak also crossed 10%, while the 10-year data shows HSBC continuing to lead the category.

Recent thefts from bank lockers in Kanpur and Mumbai raise concerns about security. The Reserve Bank of India regulates locker facilities and has capped the compensation limit.

NRIs should compare currency, cost, risk, tax treatment and the payout mechanism before choosing between Indian and GIFT City products.

SCSS can help generate a predictable retirement income. At the current 8.2% interest rate, an investment of around 12.20 lakh can earn nearly 25,000 every quarter before tax. Understanding its key features is essential for planning a steady income.

NRIs may be exempt from mandatory PAN-Aadhaar linking if they qualify as non-residents under income-tax law. Here is what to do if an NRIs PAN still shows as inoperative and how to update the status.

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, the expert said. 

Gold and silver prices today, 24 August: 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.

Bank unions condemned the Finance Ministry's revised PLI scheme for being discriminatory towards lower-ranked employees. They are advocating for equitable incentive structures and a five-day work week.

The 8th Pay Commission is holding consultations and reviewing salaries, allowances and pensions. Here are five major changes under the 7th Pay Commission that could offer clues about what employees may expect from the 8th Pay Commission, when it tables its final report tentatively by May-June 2027. 

UPI, NEFT, RTGS and IMPS payments do not automatically trigger an income tax notice, but unexplained transactions can attract scrutiny. Heres when digital payments may raise questions and what taxpayers should check in their AIS, Form 26AS and ITR.

A wrong EPF joining or exit date can do more than create paperwork hassles. It may delay PF transfers, complicate withdrawals, and even affect your EPS pension eligibility. Heres why checking your service history now can save years of trouble later.

Prepaying a personal loan can reduce interest costs, but closing a loan early is not always beneficial. Experts say to compare interest savings, foreclosure costs, emergency funds, remaining tenure and potential investment returns before deciding whether to prepay or foreclose.

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.