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Car leases and driver salaries can provide tax-efficient salary structures for employees. Tax regulations allow these perks to be taxed at lower values, according to experts.
The RBI is revising the framework for Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) to enhance security, improve customer protection, and support long-term growth. All proposed measures explained here.
Europe offers diverse travel experiences, but budget-friendly destinations like Romania, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Greece allow for affordable trips
Loans can lead to debt, but Indian law protects certain savings like EPF, PPF, and NPS from creditors. These funds ensure long-term financial security during financial distress, safeguarding families from losing their assets.
The Income Tax Department clarified that claiming HRA exemption does not guarantee significant tax savings. Benefits depend on rent paid, salary structure, and city type, with specific conditions for claiming exemptions. Details here.
A minor room upgrade during hospitalisation can result in thousands in deductions for related, non-room expenses
Countries like Dubai and Qatar do not impose personal income taxes, instead generating revenue through VAT and other fees. This model allows them to maintain tax-friendly environments while still funding government services.
With a step-up SIP, an investor can increase their SIP amount annually as their annual income grows and accumulate a higher retirement corpus compared to a regular SIP.
The RBI cancelled Paytm Payments Bank's license for non-compliance, stating it harmed depositors' interests. The central bank assured users their funds are safe and the Paytm app will continue normal operations.
Investing at 45 demands a smart balance between safety and growth, combining equities, insurance, and disciplined asset allocation to beat inflation and secure a stable, comfortable retirement future.
Gold investments in India include physical gold, ETFs, SGBs, and digital gold, each differing in taxation and structure. Here's how each asset is taxed in India.
Health insurance in India plays a crucial role in financial protection, as rising health care costs and the risk of claim rejections make clarity on coverage, exclusions, and the claim settlement ratio essential for better decision-making.
The Bombay High Court on 18 April addressed petitions against pension rejection under the Employees Pension Scheme, ruling that employees should not be penalised for employers' lapses. Full details here.
Stop ignoring your credit card; credit score health depends on activity, not inactivity. This article explains how credit card usage habits shape credit score, credit utilisation and long-term financial stability.
This Akshaya Tritiya, gold purchases in India reached 20,000 crore, but physical sales weakened, according to ClearTax's chief executive. Many transactions were made through old gold exchanges, and digital and ETF investments increased.
The National Pension System (NPS) enables individuals to save for retirement with flexible withdrawal options. Recent rules enhance flexibility for both government and corporate employees, allowing different withdrawal percentages.
A cybercrime or a financial fraud can strike instantly, but fast action matters. This guide explains how to report a cybercrime in India through the cybercrime portal and track your complaint for quicker resolution and safety.
AI is transforming credit underwriting by shifting from fixed rules to behavior-based predictions, allowing lenders to assess real financial behavior through cash flow and alternative data, thereby including unserved borrowers while emphasizing the need for ethical monitoring to prevent bias.
A staggered investment approach and long-term investment horizon can help to navigate volatility in this segment
India's online gaming rules, effective 1 May establish a framework to differentiate between money games and permissible e-sports. Here's what changes for you with new user safety features, regulatory authority, and mandatory registration for certain games.
Indian residents must file income-tax returns and report earnings from various sources. We breakdown of some of the important terms you need: difference between deductions, exemptions and rebate.
While the new labour law has altered salary structures, affecting in-hand pay and tax implications, choosing between the new and old tax regimes depends on applicable tax slabs and deductions.
Investors can consider multi-asset funds for stability as market volatility rises, using diversification across equities, debt and gold to balance risk and improve long-term wealth-creation potential.
Investment in fixed income schemes provides a good and steady pad up to your pension stream with regular payouts and is an attractive option at a time when active earnings from employment have tapered.
Five months after implementation, Indias four new labour codes reflect evolving changes in wages, safety and social security, with outcomes depending on effective coordination, compliance and alignment across industries and states.
Smart home buying starts with clarity on home loan interest rates and related concepts. Aspiring borrowers must carefully compare housing finance lenders, applicable costs and key factors before choosing affordable housing finance options. Check home loan interest rates in April 2026 from HFCs here.
The traditional six-month emergency fund may no longer be enough in the age of AI-driven layoffs.
The 8th Pay Commission continues to gain momentum as Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS) demands a minimum salary of 72,000, a 4x fitment factor, and a 6% annual hike to align pay with rising income and living standards.
A global brokerage firm urges Prime Minister Narendra Modi to formalize transactions and reduce the use of high-value currency to enhance transparency. Here's what they suggested.
The Income-Tax Rules, 2026 raise the per-meal exemption to 200 and extend it to the new regimeturning employer-provided meals into a 1.05 lakh annual tax-free benefit.
Credit on UPI gets a boost as Punjab National Bank partners with Kiwi to launch a feature-rich credit card with cashback and seamless digital payments.
Travellers are increasingly using air miles to book multiple flights, offsetting rising ticket prices and cancellations. Flexible reward programmes were seeing a surge in demand, but miles no longer stretch as far as they once did. Here's why.
The National Pension System has updated withdrawal rules, allowing more flexibility for subscribers until 2026. Government employees exiting prematurely must use 80% of their accumulated pension wealth for an annuity, while those with an APW of 5 lakh or less can withdraw fully in a lump sum.
The US government has launched the CAPE portal for businesses to apply for tariff refunds after SCOTUS deemed Trump's tariff regime illegal. However, companies are unlikely to pass on the benefit to Americans.
Among the safest investment tools in India, bank deposits and the government's Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) are the preferred choice for retired investors seeking steady payouts and guaranteed returns.
Direct funds are plans where investors apply directly with a fund house without an agent, bank or broker. While this eliminates commission fees, they demand more markets knowledge from investors. Here's what you need to keep in mind
Mutual fund investments are considered among the best ways for an ordinary investor to book capital gains. However, there are varying levels of risk attached based on the type of scheme. Here's what you should consider before picking one.
The Ministry of Finance on 22 April announced revision of rates of Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees, effective from 1 January 2026. Here's all we know so far
A big reality check on 50 lakh in savings in India shows how inflation, lifestyle expenses, and location determine how long the corpus lasts and whether it builds long-term financial security.
Recipients of significant financial gifts from relatives should disclose these in their ITR to ensure transparency. Proper reporting and retention of documents can prevent tax queries or notices from the tax department in the future.
As the correlation between Indian and US markets hits record highs, the hidden global risks embedded in domestic stocks are making traditional diversification strategies obsolete.
The world is unpredictablebuild a portfolio that benefits from shocks.
New Income-tax Act, 2025 and Rules, 2026 change foreign remittance reporting. What NRIs renting out Indian property must discloseand whether PPF withdrawals remain tax-free.
Financial crisis warning signs often hide in daily habits. From rising debt to no savings, these signals reveal weakening money control, inefficient financial planning and the urgent need for smarter reconsideration and devising a proper economic management strategy.
Capital losses on listed shares can be set off against capital gains within the same financial year. Unutilised losses can be carried forward for up to eight years, provided ITR is filed on time. Here's what the process looks like.
Buying your first home in 2026 demands smart financial planning, professional guidance, awareness of home loan rates, hidden costs and location value to ensure long-term stability and confident property investment decisions.
Young professionals in India are opting for short weekend treks instead of long vacations. Weekend trips offer affordability and accessibility, while organizations emphasize the importance of physical and financial preparation for trekking.
Arushi Garg, a 23-year-old JPMorgan Chase engineer, shared her monthly expenses on Instagram, revealing the high cost of living in Bengaluru. Her total expenses range from 30,000 to 35,000, sparking discussions about financial pressures faced by young professionals in urban areas.
Inflation can significantly erode the value of retirement savings, as 1 crore in 2046 loses purchasing power, highlighting the need for a larger corpus, disciplined investing and inflation-adjusted long-term financial planning.
Cost is a key factor for pilgrims deciding between Hajj and Umrah. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty and significantly more expensive than Umrah, which is a recommended practice and more flexible in scheduling and pricing.

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