The Economic Times

Gold rates today: Here is a look at todays 18k, 20k, 22k and 24k gold prices at the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), along with the latest 22k gold rates listed by Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers.

Post office time deposits provide a reliable income source, supported by government assurance for investors. When you invest Rs 5 lakh, the maturity amounts vary significantly depending on your chosen tenure. The government updates interest rates quarterly, resulting in maturity values ranging from Rs 5.35 lakh to Rs 7.24 lakh. It's important to note that only the 5-year time deposit qualifies for tax benefits.

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) presents a government-backed savings scheme, ensuring consistent interest rates with mandatory contributions from eligible employees. In contrast, the share market offers a more volatile investment route, where participation is entirely optional. While EPF secures tax advantages, pensions, and insurance, shares may promise greater returns but come with inherent risks.

Bank holiday today: Bank customers are left wondering if they should go to the bank today or reschedule their trips for tasks like cash deposits, cheque clearances, demand drafts issue, etc.

Freelancers preparing for AY 2026-27 have a new ITR submission deadline, offering relief to many. Understanding tax audit requirements is essential and varies based on turnover, with distinct reporting dates. Selecting the appropriate ITR form such as ITR-3 or ITR-4 plays a crucial role in accurately reporting income. Eligible business expenses can be claimed by freelancers, which helps minimize their tax burden, while income from foreign clients needs clear disclosure.

AMFI has launched five initiatives to deepen mutual fund participation, focusing on investor education, women, smaller cities, first-time investors and underserved communities. Partnerships with NISM, Sa-Dhan and Pinkathon aim to expand awareness, strengthen distributor ethics and encourage informed, responsible investing nationwide.

The Reserve Bank of India has set specific premature redemption windows for Sovereign Gold Bonds, allowing investors to withdraw funds between October 2026 and March 2027. Applications for early withdrawal must be made through approved channels, such as banks and post offices. It's imperative for investors to pay attention to these official dates to ensure their requests are processed without issues.

Employee switched job and got Rs 30 lakh salary on which TDS was deducted, forgot to file ITR, Tax dept sent notice and imposed Rs 3.74 lakh penalty, he fights and wins case in ITAT Delhi

Seven equity mutual funds multiplied investors wealth up to 23.3 times over 20 years, led by Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund. The list spans largecap, midcap and flexicap categories, highlighting strong long-term wealth creation and sustained compounding across market cycles.

Samir Arora-backed Helios Flexi Cap Fund increased exposure to Swiggy, Paytm and 20 other stocks in July, while adding SBI Funds Management and four others to its portfolio. The fund also exited Varun Beverages and India Shelter Finance, while trimming its holdings in MCX and BSE during the month.

8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Central government employees are currently anticipating the recommendations from the 8th Pay Commission regarding the fitment factor. While a higher fitment factor is expected, it may not lead to a substantial doubling of gross salaries. Historical data from previous pay commissions indicates that the increases in gross salaries have often been lower than the increments in basic pay.

Tata Mutual Fund has resumed subscriptions to Tata Gold ETF for large investors committing Rs 25 crore or more and removed investment limits on lump-sum investments and switch-ins to Tata Gold ETF FOF. The revised norms, effective August 21, follow the normalisation of market conditions and will remain in force prospectively until further notice, the fund house said.

Five equity mutual funds have offered up to 25% annualised returns on SIP investments over the past 10 years

A 36-year-old investor's Rs 30,000 monthly SIP portfolio requires adjustments for financial goals. The expert highlights an inadequate retirement corpus projection, needing a revised calculation. Too many mutual funds create complexity and potential overlap for the current SIP amount. Goals approaching sooner need greater funding priority over longer-term objectives. A goal-wise approach is recommended, working backward from each financial target.

HDFC Bank raised $1.75 billion through a twin bond sale to overseas investors. The lender raised $500 million via three-year bonds and $1.25 billion through five-year securities, both priced at tighter spreads than initial guidance, signalling strong investor demand.

For retirees looking to maximise their post-tax earnings, allocating a Rs 4.5 crore corpus into mutual funds is a viable option. Utilising a bucket strategy allows for an effective diversification across various fund typesliquid, debt, and equityfacilitating consistent income generation. This tactic not only mitigates tax exposure more efficiently than fixed deposits but also yields tax exemptions on capital gains.

This Haryana man's case was picked up for scrutiny, and during the proceedings the Assessing Officer found large cash deposits, unsecured loans worth crores, and discovered that the Rs 3 lakh agricultural income wasnt substantiated by supporting evidence. Read on to know what happened next, and what has the ITAT ordered.

Non-Resident Indians are allowed to set up joint FCNR (B) accounts with their resident family members. These accounts must function on a 'Former or Survivor' arrangement for the NRI. Eligible resident relatives include immediate family members and their spouses. The money for these accounts should be sourced from international transfers or existing Indian accounts. Both the principal amount and accrued interest are exempt from taxes and fully repatriable.

Jefferies prefers two-wheeler stocks over passenger vehicle makers, citing stronger volume growth, resilient margins and improving earnings. TVS Motor Company and Eicher Motors remain its top picks, while Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Hyundai Motor India carry Underperform ratings amid rising competition, higher discounts and a weaker earnings outlook.

Mutual fund SIP inflows rose 12% YoY to Rs 31,961 crore in July, while SIP accounts increased 12.5% to 10.63 crore. Franklin Templeton India highlighted strong inflows into flexicap and multi-asset funds, along with rising passive fund AUM and broader growth across the mutual fund industry.

Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath has urged fintech founders to rethink the future of trading and investing as AI, evolving market structures, regulations and emerging technologies reshape financial markets. He said brokers could eventually become little more than a pipe between customers and exchanges, while Rainmatter is again doubling down on fintech investments.

Over the past five years, mutual fund assets under management have experienced remarkable growth, primarily fueled by the popularity of equity and passive funds. The surge in passive fund folios, which saw an increase of more than five times, highlights a growing preference among investors for low-cost investment options. In contrast, debt fund folios grew only marginally, emphasizing a significant shift in investor focus towards equity and passive investment strategies.

When selling Indian assets, be cautious of the potential tax implications linked to your country of residence. Tax obligations can vary based on your residency timeline and applicable regulations. Read on to understand how your residency can impact your tax bill if you are an NRI in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore or UAE.

Home loan interest rates vary based on credit score and other borrower factors. A good credit score is essential for securing a low home loan interest rate. Borrowers should compare banks to find the best home loan interest rates.