The Economic Times

Starting April 1, 2026, new Income Tax Act and Rules bring significant changes for Tax Year 2026-27. Key updates include extended ITR due dates for certain taxpayers, revised timelines for updated and revised returns, and mandatory PAN quoting for more transactions. These amendments aim to streamline tax filing and compliance.

Form 121: A new combined form, now replaces Forms 15G and 15H. This simplifies the process for individuals and senior citizens to declare income below taxable limits. Eligible taxpayers can now use this single form to avoid tax deduction at source on interest income. The revised form offers enhanced user experience with features like auto-population and real-time validations.

Midcap mutual funds have delivered strong returns over the past three years, with the top five schemes offering up to 25% annualised gains. Invesco India Mid Cap Fund leads the pack, followed closely by Nippon India and WhiteOak funds, while some laggards delivered significantly lower returns in the same period.

Dubai gold rates: Gold prices in Dubai are stable across major retailers today, April 4, 2026. Rates for 24K, 22K, and 18K gold are available from Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and iGold. Malabar Gold's last update was April 3. The UAE dirham exchange rate to the Indian Rupee is provided. Information on duty-free gold allowances for travellers to India is also included.

Commodity ETFs declined up to 15% in March, led by sharp losses in silver ETFs amid rising oil prices, geopolitical tensions and tightening liquidity. Gold ETFs also fell as stronger dollar dynamics weighed on prices. The outlook now hinges on inflation trends, liquidity conditions and central bank actions globally.

Senior citizens can secure attractive fixed deposit rates for a three-year tenure, with small finance banks leading the pack by offering up to 8%. Public sector banks provide rates up to 6.8%, while private sector banks offer competitive options reaching 7.75%. These rates present a valuable opportunity for elderly investors seeking steady returns.

New Income-Tax Rules have clarified meal voucher benefits. The tax-free limit for employer-provided meal vouchers has increased to Rs 200 per meal. This benefit is now available under the new tax regime. The earlier restriction denying this benefit under the new regime has been removed. This change is effective from April 1, 2026.

ETMutualFunds outlines ready-made SIP portfolios for conservative investors across three investment brackets. The allocation blends large-cap and hybrid funds to balance risk and returns. Selected using in-house criteria like rolling returns and downside risk, these portfolios aim to simplify fund selection for investors seeking stable, long-term wealth creation.

Even under the new tax regime, investing the maximum in PPF and SSY remains beneficial as both maturity and interest are tax-exempt. Depositing by April 5 annually maximizes interest earnings, as contributions made by this date earn interest for the entire financial year, significantly boosting maturity amounts.

For new investors, especially young professionals and students with modest amounts like Rs 10,000, a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is generally recommended over a lump sum. Financial expert Harshvardhan Roongta advises SIPs to gradually enter the market, build discipline, and average investment costs. He suggests starting with low-cost index funds for long-term wealth creation.

Banks will be open on Saturday, April 4, 2026. This is the first Saturday of the month. Customers can visit branches today. Banks were closed earlier this week for Mahavir Jayanti, yearly account closings, and Good Friday. Further closures are scheduled for various festivals and holidays across different states in April 2026.

Investors planning 15-year SIPs often face a choice between actively managed multicap funds and factor-based index funds. While multicap funds like Nippon India offer research-driven flexibility, factor-based options such as Edelweiss Nifty 500 Momentum Quality 50 rely on systematic rules. Choosing depends on risk appetite, market understanding, and long-term goals.

Franklin Templeton has launched Sapphire Equity Long-Short SIF, its first offering under the SIF framework. The fund uses a quantitative strategy with long and short positions across Nifty 500 stocks. Designed for high-risk investors, it aims to generate alpha through dynamic allocation and disciplined risk management across market cycles.

ICICI Prudential's Balanced Advantage Fund has increased its equity allocation to 61.9%, the highest in nearly five years, signaling increased comfort with market valuations after a recent sell-off. This dynamic strategy allows managers to adjust between equity and debt based on market conditions, aiming to benefit investors who prefer automated asset allocation.

Property disputes among family members after an owner's death are common. Heirs must check for a Will and obtain a legal heirship certificate if none exists. Updating revenue records and assessing property nature are crucial. All family arrangements need proper documentation. This guide helps families avoid legal battles and secure their inheritance.

Building a Rs 2-crore retirement corpus requires a strategic approach to combat inflation and market volatility. Experts recommend a systematic investment plan with annual increases, a gradual shift from equity to debt as retirement nears, and a bucket strategy for managing withdrawals. Avoiding premature exits during market downturns is crucial for long-term wealth preservation and growth.

Homebuyers need to know that tax benefits on home loans are linked to property ownership. Even if a wife is a co-borrower and pays EMIs, she cannot claim tax deductions without ownership rights. To avail these benefits, an individual must be both a co-owner and a co-borrower. Proof of ownership and loan repayment is crucial for tax authorities.

Bank holiday today : Good Friday, April 3, 2026, sees many banks closed across India. However, banking operations continue as usual in states like Tripura, Rajasthan, and Assam. Customers needing branch services should verify local holiday schedules to avoid disruption.

Fixed deposits are popular in India. However, Tax Deducted at Source on interest income reduces compounding growth. Forms 15G and 15H allow eligible individuals to declare no tax liability. This prevents TDS deductions, keeping interest invested. Over time, this can significantly boost maturity amounts. Submitting these forms annually is crucial for maximizing savings.

Dubai remains a top destination for gold purchases, attracting global buyers with competitive rates and diverse designs. Today's gold prices in Dubai are under scrutiny due to ongoing global conflicts and market volatility. Indian travellers can bring duty-free gold jewellery, with specific limits for males and females. Beyond these allowances, customs duties apply to additional gold.

22k gold rate today: Gold prices saw a slight dip on April 2, 2026, bringing welcome news for shoppers. Leading brands like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Joyalukkas reported lower rates for 22-karat gold.

Quant Mutual Fund believes the current market situation presents a major buying chance. The fund house is increasing its investments in stocks, seeing attractive valuations. They are focusing on opportunities during market panic and euphoria. India is seen as a relative outlier amid global economic slowdown concerns.

Indian Railways has updated its rules, allowing passengers to change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before train departure. This new flexibility can be accessed online via IRCTC or offline at reservation counters. Additionally, fare deduction for cancellations has been adjusted, with a 25% deduction for cancellations between 24 and 72 hours before departure.

Central government employee unions, under NC-JCM, have urged the 8th Pay Commission to expand its questionnaire. They seek to include provisions for reviewing NPS/UPS, restoring the Old Pension Scheme, addressing pensioners' and women employees' welfare, and extending submission deadlines and word limits for comprehensive feedback.

Bank customers are confused about operations on April 2, 2026. Banks are open nationwide for Hanuman Jayanti. Closures are limited to Keralam for Maundy Thursday. This information clarifies bank availability for the public. Many regional holidays affect bank schedules in April 2026.

SBI has increased fixed deposit rates. However, many debt mutual funds are providing better returns. Investors are now comparing these options. Experts advise choosing based on risk appetite and investment goals. Debt funds can offer higher returns but involve some volatility. Fixed deposits offer guaranteed returns and stability.

The government has stated it has not received formal requests from labour unions to raise the Employees Provident Fund interest rate to 10%. The current EPF interest rate stands at 8.25%, last revised in FY 2022-23. The Labour and Employment Minister clarified the interest rate determination process.

ETMutualFunds presents a curated list of ten top mutual fund schemes. These selections span five key equity categories, offering guidance for regular investors. The article emphasizes understanding fund categories and aligning choices with personal investment goals and risk tolerance. Investors are advised to consider their objectives and risk profile before investing.

Silver and gold ETFs experienced significant drops of up to 4% on Thursday following U.S. President Trump's indication of continued military action in Iran. This geopolitical tension, coupled with rising crude oil prices and a stronger dollar, pressured precious metal prices on the MCX, with several ETFs seeing substantial declines.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court denied an ancestral land claim despite possession and mutation, emphasizing that revenue records like mutation and bank loans do not prove ownership. The court ruled that establishing lawful title through registered deeds or legally recognized documents is crucial, not just lineage or long-term possession.

A homeowner's plea for a better parking spot was dismissed by Punjab RERA. The complainant argued his allotted space was too small and far from his apartment. He also claimed unequal distribution of parking. RERA ruled against him, stating he accepted possession without protest and the builder followed approved plans. Certificates were issued.

Government Securities (G-Secs) offer retirees a safe, predictable income, but a G-Sec-heavy strategy alone can be eroded by inflation. Experts advise a balanced approach, with allocation varying by retirement age. Bond laddering and selective diversification can enhance returns and manage risks effectively.

Salaried employees face new Tax Deducted at Source rules from April 1, 2026. The new financial year brings revised tax calculations and compliance requirements. Employees must inform employers if they wish to opt for the old tax regime. Higher standard deductions and increased tax-free benefits are introduced. Choosing between tax regimes depends on individual deductions and salary structure.

Mutual funds deployed an estimated Rs 80,000 crore into equities during the March market crash, significantly reducing their cash holdings, as they stepped in to counter heavy FII selling. The buying came amid an over 11% market correction and rising crude oil prices linked to the Gulf crisis, highlighting a strong inverse relationship between oil prices and Indian equities.

Gold prices experienced unusual volatility during the Iran-Israel conflict. Initially surging, gold later dropped significantly as geopolitical tensions eased and inflation fears rose. Axis Mutual Fund decoded this behavior, citing unwinding leveraged positions, Middle Eastern surplus shifts, and liquidity concerns as key drivers.

New PAN card application forms are now in effect under the Income-ax Act, 2025, with category-specific forms replacing the Aadhaar-only option. Mandatory PAN quoting has expanded for high-value transactions, including significant cash deposits and property deals, making compliance crucial for taxpayers.

Form 16 will be renumbered as Form 130 under the Income Tax Rules, 2026, effective from April 1, 2026. This change introduces a Tax Year concept, enhances taxpayer and employer details for digitized reporting, and requires disclosure of tax deduction rates. The shift is primarily structural, aligning with the new Income-tax Act, 2025.

Around 13 equity mutual funds delivered losses exceeding 15% over the past six months, with small-cap and mid-cap categories leading the decline. Tata Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 23% drop, reflecting broader market weakness and volatility impacting high-risk fund segments.