The Economic Times

The July 31, 2026, income tax return filing deadline remains unchanged for many taxpayers. Those who missed this date must now file a belated return and pay a late fee. Taxpayers with business income and those requiring a tax audit have different filing deadlines. The due date for business income without audit is August 31, 2026. Taxpayers needing a tax audit must file by October 31, 2026.

Pensionbazaar has improved its Corporate National Pension System offering. This aims to make retirement planning more accessible and seamless for employees. The platform simplifies onboarding, contribution management, and account servicing for employers. Employees can now digitally manage their retirement corpus and track progress easily. This initiative seeks to make retirement planning a workplace priority and a natural financial journey.

DA hike: Central government employees anticipate a 3% dearness allowance increase. This expectation arises from the latest AICPI-IW reading for June 2026. The calculation suggests a potential 63% overall dearness allowance for employees. This hike will impact salaries across various pay levels under the 7th Pay Commission. The Finance Ministry will officially announce the final dearness allowance increase.

The Reserve Bank of India has directed banks to enhance counterfeit note detection. Branches near international borders must now have note authentication machines. All cash handling staff will receive training on security features by October 2026. Banks must analyze fake note data to identify trends and hotspots. This initiative aims to strengthen the identification and reporting of fake currency notes.

PM Kisan 24th instalment: The PM Kisan scheme provides annual income support to eligible farmer families. The 24th instalment is anticipated in October 2026, following the June 2026 disbursement. Farmers can verify their beneficiary status online using Aadhaar or account numbers.

Investors face a choice between single and multiple fixed deposits for large sums. Splitting deposits offers better liquidity and increased insurance coverage. FD laddering allows reinvestment at prevailing interest rates for potential gains. Managing multiple FDs requires more effort and careful tracking of renewals.

Five new mutual fund offers are currently open for subscription, including two ETFs, two domestic FoFs and one flexi-cap fund, giving investors fresh options across diverse investment categories.

Six smallcap mutual funds delivered over 20% returns in the past six months, led by Bank of India Small Cap Fund, reflecting strong performance in the segment, according to ACE MF data.

Do you also believe that having more would mean that you will have a better plan? Well, if you do, you might be wrong. 'Business philosopher Jim Rohn's 70/30 money rule explains why financial planning matters more than income. Read on to know budgeting rules to manage your money smarter.

Rs 6.63 crore penalty imposed on salaried employee for reporting perquisite as capital gains in ITR; ITAT Mumbai grants relief, says salaried employees may not be well versed in complex tax provisions. Read the story to know the full details.

Twelve equity mutual funds have turned a Rs 1,000 monthly SIP into more than Rs 1 crore since their inception, with the top performer generating a corpus of up to Rs 2.86 crore. The list spans seven fund categories, led by midcap and flexicap schemes.

Fitment factor in 8th Pay Commission: Employee groups recommend increasing annual increments and merging dearness allowance with basic pay. This move aims to accelerate salary growth for government employees and pensioners. A higher increment rate and DA merger could potentially double gross salaries within seven years. Various organizations have submitted specific proposals regarding increment percentages and DA merger thresholds. These recommendations are part of submissions made to the 8th Pa

ITR filing deadline: Nearly 5.44 crore taxpayers filed income tax returns for AY 2026-27 by July 30. Experts suggest the July 31 deadline extension for income tax returns is unlikely. The e-filing portal has been functioning smoothly with no widespread technical issues reported. Taxpayers should file their returns by the July 31 deadline to avoid penalties. The government has previously extended deadlines due to significant technical problems.

Gold rate today: Gold prices saw a marginal increase at major jewellery brands today. Tanishq's 22k gold rate rose to Rs 13,300 per gram. Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Joyalukkas also reported slight price hikes. Kalyan Jewellers has yet to update its 22k gold price for the day. IBJA's indicative retail selling rates for gold and silver were also provided.

ITR filing deadline: Missing the July 31 income tax filing deadline allows for belated returns. Taxpayers can file a belated return within nine months of the tax year's end. A revised return can be filed within twelve months of the tax year's end.

Missing the July 31, 2026 ITR filing deadline incurs a late fee. Belated returns can be filed with interest and a penalty up to Rs 5,000. Crypto investors lose the ability to carry forward losses to future tax periods. Non-filing can trigger tax notices from the department. Options include condoning the delay or filing a belated return.

Taxpayers face a choice between filing income tax returns now or later. The income tax return due date is approaching for many individuals. Filing a revised return corrects errors but large deviations may attract scrutiny. Belated returns are an option if the original deadline is missed. Missing the belated deadline has consequences similar to not filing at all.

Axis Bank misplaced a Delhi couple's original property papers, which they found out after closing their Rs 1.41 crore loan account. They then filed a complaint in Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, alleging deficiency of service and negligence on the part of the lender, seeking a compensation of Rs 1 crore. Know what happened next.

Technology sector mutual funds achieved substantial gains during July. HDFC Technology Fund led with a remarkable 16.91% return for investors. Other tech funds also delivered double-digit returns, outperforming many others. International funds experienced significant declines, primarily due to market corrections. Experts advise diversified equity funds for balanced long-term investment strategies.

Mutual fund returns show significant differences between top and bottom performers. The flexi-cap category saw a wide gap between gains and losses. Small-cap funds also displayed considerable divergence in their yearly performance. Market trends favored stock-specific bets and certain sectors over traditional ones. Investors must understand fund styles and team track records for better selection.

ITR filing deadline: The July 31, 2026, deadline is crucial for many taxpayers filing income tax returns. Missing this date incurs a late filing fee based on total income. Belated returns for AY 2026-27 can be filed until December 31, 2026. E-verification within 60 days is necessary to validate the filed return.

Four flexi cap mutual funds delivered single-digit returns over the last three years, while one posted a marginal negative return, according to ETWealth. In contrast, the top-performing flexi cap funds generated returns of up to 19.8% during the same period.

Nine equity mutual funds multiplied investors SIP investments by more than 1.6 times over the last five years, led by small-cap and mid-cap schemes. Invesco India Midcap Fund topped the list with a 1.71x wealth multiplier and an XIRR of 21.66%.

Choosing the right Income Tax Return form for AY 2026-27 depends on income sources. ITR-1 now allows reporting income from two house properties. Salary, house property, and other sources can be reported in ITR-2. Business or professional income generally requires ITR-3 or ITR-4. Complete income profile determines the final ITR form selection.

The government has clarified no LTCG tax scrapping for foreign investors. Only investments in Government Securities now receive tax exemptions. This measure aims to attract foreign portfolio investors to the G-Secs market.

Inconsistency in witness testimony led to a 1957 executed registered sale deed being ordered for cancellation and a long battle for buyer to secure his rights in the 15 bigha land; SC restores buyer's rights in this land; Know why

The ESIC wage ceiling is periodically increased by the government. The last revision raised the limit to twenty-one thousand rupees monthly. The Code on Social Security, 2020, now encompasses more establishments. Gig and unorganised workers are now covered under the ESIC scheme. Attendance restrictions for seasonal workers' treatment remain unchanged.

Withdrawing money from your mutual fund SIP can significantly delay your financial goals by hampering the power of compounding. Early withdrawals cause maximum damage to your long-term wealth creation. Here is how pulling out funds at different stages impacts your timeline to build a target corpus of Rs 1 crore.

Gold prices saw a slight increase across major jewelry brands today. Tanishq's 22K gold jewelry is priced at Rs 13,275 per gram. Other brands like Malabar, Kalyan, and Joyalukkas offer 22K gold at Rs 13,230. IBJA rates show 24K gold at Rs 14,240 and 22K at Rs 13,898. Silver prices also saw a slight adjustment from yesterday's rates.

The 8th Pay Commission will consult stakeholders in Chandigarh. Interested parties must submit appointment requests by August 25, 2026. Previous consultations were scheduled in New Delhi, Chennai, and Puducherry. The commission seeks input on pay, pension, and work conditions. Further meetings are planned for other states and union territories.

ETMutualFunds shortlisted five top midcap mutual funds based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and asset size, highlighting options suitable for investors with high risk tolerance and long-term horizons.

International funds offered excellent returns over the past year, outperforming domestic options. However, fresh investments are currently restricted due to regulatory limits. Experts suggest alternatives like LRS platforms and GIFT City funds for global exposure. Diversified global ETFs tracking broad indices are recommended for new investors. Investors should maintain international allocation for diversification and risk-adjusted returns.

Conservative investors often avoid medium to long duration debt funds due to their inherent risks. These funds invest in longer-term instruments, making them sensitive to interest rate fluctuations. Even small rate increases can cause significant volatility and potential investor losses. Investors with a higher risk tolerance and long horizon can consider these schemes. Competent advisors can guide investors aware of the associated extra risks.

Bank holidays: Bank branches will observe numerous closures throughout August 2026 due to holidays. Independence Day on August 15 will cause nationwide bank shutdowns. Several state-specific festivals like Ker Puja and Tendong Lho Rum Faat will also affect branch operations.

ITR filing : Taxpayers rush to file income tax returns before the July 31 deadline. Common errors include not e-verifying and mismatched personal details. Reconciling income with Form 16 and AIS is crucial for successful submission.

An ET analysis of 546 equity mutual funds reveals that Pharma & Healthcare funds delivered the highest 5-year SIP returns at 18.2%. While sectoral funds led performance, flexicap and largecap funds offered steady returns, making them ideal core portfolio options for long-term investors.

8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Employee groups are advocating for a higher annual salary increment in the upcoming 8th Pay Commission. They suggest increasing the current three percent rate to at least five percent annually. This change aims to substantially boost the basic pay of central government employees. Calculations show a six percent increment could add millions over ten years. Such adjustments are expected to improve employee financial well-being significantly.

Crypto staking allows holders to support blockchain networks and earn rewards. Validators are chosen based on committed tokens, reducing reliance on mining. Users can delegate tokens or use exchange services for easier participation. Staking rewards vary due to on-chain conditions and network economics. Understanding risks like volatility and redemption periods is crucial before staking.

Gratuity, pension forfeited but only leave encashment paid after nine years delay without interest; retired employee wins case in Delhi High Court as court directs employer to pay 6% interest on leave encashment. Know how this employee's family won case in Delhi High Court.

Failing to file your income tax return by July 31, 2026, after TDS deduction has consequences. You will face interest charges and a late filing fee for delayed submissions. Not filing an ITR prevents claiming refunds and carrying forward losses. Virtual digital asset income is taxed regardless of the exemption limit. The tax department may issue notices for non-compliance and missed filings.

Five smallcap mutual funds delivered annualized returns of 20.6%-26% over three years, led by Bandhan Small Cap Fund, while investors should prioritize risk appetite, goals, and investment horizon over past performance.

Around 52 equity mutual funds have delivered absolute returns of over 100% in the past five years, according to an ETMutualFunds analysis. Mid-cap funds dominated the top performers, led by Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund with a 169.84% return. The analysis covered 212 regular-plan, growth-option equity funds, excluding sectoral and thematic schemes, with all generating double-digit returns.