The Economic Times

New Income Tax Rules 2026 will increase income tax for employees using company cars for personal reasons. The valuation of this perk has been revised upwards, impacting both old and new tax regimes. These changes take effect from April 1, 2026. Employees will face higher tax outgo on company-provided vehicles for mixed usage.

The Ministry of Finance has removed the power of Tax Recovery Officers to arrest individuals for pending tax demands. This taxpayer-friendly initiative, detailed in the Finance Bill 2026's explanatory memorandum, aims to streamline recovery processes. While arrest is no longer an option, other methods like attaching bank accounts and seizing property remain available.

Gold prices showed signs of recovery on March 25, 2026, after a mostly down month. Experts anticipate continued volatility due to geopolitical factors and US Fed interest rate uncertainty. Major Indian jewelers like Tanishq, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds reported 22k gold prices around Rs 13,465 per gram on March 26, 2026.

Taxpayers can breathe easy as income tax slabs remain unchanged for FY 2026-27. The Income-tax Act, 2025, effective April 1, 2026, brings no alterations to existing tax brackets. Both the old and new tax regimes will continue with their current structures.

HDFC Bank is revising its Insta Alert SMS service charges, with new rates effective May 1, 2026. Customers will see a reduction in per-message fees from 20 paise + GST to 15 paise + GST. Email alerts will remain free, offering a cost-effective way to monitor transactions.

Equity mutual funds have delivered negative returns in 2026 amid market volatility, with 11 schemes declining over 12%. Mirae Asset Focused Fund led losses, followed by Motilal Oswal and Tata funds. Nearly 300 funds posted declines, highlighting broad-based pressure across categories, including ELSS, flexi cap, and focused funds.

Taxpayers can now have their income tax refunds from the old 1961 Act set off against demands under the new 2025 Act, and vice versa. The government's explanatory memorandum clarifies this cross-law adjustment, ensuring seamless processing of refunds and tax dues between the two legislative frameworks.

Five debt mutual funds, primarily from the credit risk category, have delivered higher returns than traditional fixed deposits over the past year. However, these funds come with higher risk. Investors should assess risk appetite carefully before considering such short-term alternatives to conventional bank deposits.

Less than half of equity mutual funds delivered positive returns in FY26, with international funds leading performance. Experts advise caution, recommending measured allocations and diversification rather than chasing past returns. For FY27, a constructive outlook suggests focusing on diversified equity funds and large-cap categories.

Vinayak Magotra, product head & founding team, Centricity WealthTech, says for someone eyeing a retirement in a few years from now, they can start rebalancing their retirement portfolio at least 24 months before the actual retirement date. Nehal Mota, co-founder & CEO, Finnovate, suggests bucket strategy is an effective way to manage this risk at retirement, where one needs to allocate 35 years of expenses in low-risk instruments like liquid funds or fixed deposits.

A Kerala High Court ruling clarifies that a joint bank locker survivor does not automatically gain full ownership of its contents. A valid Will executed by one holder takes precedence over the 'either or survivor' clause, allowing assets to be bequeathed to third parties. This decision impacts how locker contents are distributed after a co-holder's death.

A recent Supreme Court ruling clarifies that properties acquired by a Karta using both personal and ancestral income are presumed joint family property. The burden of proof lies with the Karta to demonstrate the exact portion funded by personal means. If funds are intermingled and not clearly separated, the entire property is considered joint.

Banks in several Indian states will be closed on March 26, 2026, to observe the festival of Ram Navami. Customers in Mizoram, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, among other regions, may experience branch closures. Online banking and ATM services will remain operational.

Indian investors seeking stability and returns beyond fixed deposits have options. Debt mutual funds offer potential for better post-tax returns through tax deferral and compounding. While fixed deposits are familiar, their annual taxation erodes compounding power. Debt funds, taxed only at redemption, can be more efficient. Investors should consider their tax bracket and investment duration when choosing between these options.

Restaurants can no longer automatically add 'LPG charges' or 'gas surcharges' to bills, the government has warned. The Central Consumer Protection Authority declared such mandatory extra costs an unfair trade practice, stating menu prices should include all operational expenses. Consumers facing these charges can seek removal or file complaints.

Women investors are rapidly reshaping Indias investment landscape, with demat accounts opened by women rising 129% since 2021, according to Axis Direct. Data shows a strong tilt toward mutual funds, disciplined SIPs and long-term planning, supported by growing digital adoption and a preference for risk-aware, goal-based investing.

Gold, silver rates today: Daily gold prices issued by India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA) showed a jump up to 3.01% for different verities of gold. IBJAs 999 purity silver prices also rose by 4.01% compared to rates issued on Tuesday (March 24, 2026).

Specialised Investment Funds are facing their first major test amid market volatility, with early returns showing mixed performance. While offering flexibility through long-short strategies, experts advise investors to focus on risk metrics over returns, as track records remain limited and outcomes vary across fund categories.

The 8th Pay Commission is now functioning in New Delhi. It will submit recommendations on pay, allowances, and pensions within 18 months. Central government employees and pensioners can submit their views through a memorandum by April 30, 2026. A questionnaire is also available until March 31, 2026. The fiscal impact will be assessed after recommendations are accepted.

Many salaried employees mistakenly believe their employer's health insurance is sufficient. However, corporate plans often have hidden limits and may not grow with your needs. Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath emphasizes the importance of a personal health policy.

An investor's Rs 5 lakh investment in SBI Quant Fund has seen losses, prompting reassessment. Market expert Abhijit Chokshi advises partially redeeming the investment for tax harvesting and redeploying into stable options, while holding the remainder for a five-year horizon to potentially benefit from market recovery.

Salaried employees can now claim an income tax exemption of up to Rs 1.05 lakh annually on meal cards, vouchers, or subsidized canteen food. New Income Tax Rules, 2026, have increased the per-meal limit to Rs 200, potentially boosting savings under both old and new tax regimes. This benefit is calculated based on working days and employer policies.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has launched its Large Cap Fund, aiming to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in large-cap companies. The fund employs an active strategy combining human insight with AI and machine learning for stock selection and risk management. Experts advise a cautious approach to NFOs, suggesting a wait-and-watch strategy to assess performance over time.

Tenants facing landlord neglect on repairs have legal recourse. The law allows tenants to demand habitable living conditions. If landlords fail to act, tenants can approach authorities for directions, undertake essential repairs, and seek reimbursement. Proper documentation and notice are crucial. Withholding rent without due process can lead to eviction. Tenants cannot seize landlord property for cost recovery.

Precious metals are experiencing a significant downturn, with gold down 16.02% and silver 22.54% on the MCX. Experts attribute this to shifting macroeconomic expectations, elevated US Treasury yields, and a strong dollar, rather than a lack of demand. Investors are advised to hold existing positions and consider staggered buying for new investments.

Silver and gold ETFs surged significantly on Wednesday, driven by a weaker dollar and easing inflation concerns from falling oil prices. This rally, with some silver ETFs gaining up to 11%, presents an attractive accumulation window for long-term investors amid geopolitical uncertainties and inflation-hedging fundamentals.

Don't think that corporate bond funds do not have any risk. Sure, the highest rating of AAA offers you higher safety. But make sure your fund manager is not taking any extra risk to make extra returns.

Equity mutual fund investors face a market downturn. Wealth managers suggest lumpsum investments for those with long horizons and risk appetite. Reviewing portfolios for diversification is advised. Investors with loss-making thematic funds may consider trimming and reallocating to diversified options. This period offers opportunities for strategic financial decisions.

Mutual fund investments can soon be gifted using prepaid payment instruments (PPIs), with Sebi proposing a new framework. Individuals can purchase gift PPIs, capped at 10,000 and valid for one year, to transfer funds for mutual fund subscriptions. This initiative aims to attract new investors and enhance financial product accessibility.

Investors can save income tax by strategically selling equity shares and mutual funds before March 31, 2026. Tax loss harvesting allows offsetting capital gains with losses, while tax gain harvesting utilizes the Rs 1.25 lakh LTCG exemption to reduce future tax liabilities. This strategy can be implemented anytime throughout the year.

Indian Railways has revised its ticket cancellation rules, effective April 1-15, 2026, to combat touting and system misuse. The changes include extended refund windows and stricter penalties for last-minute cancellations. Passengers cancelling more than 72 hours before departure will receive maximum refund, with increased deductions for later cancellations.

Expatriates in India for extended periods face changing tax rules. Staying longer can shift residency status, impacting tax liability on worldwide income. This shift may increase compliance burdens and affect foreign income exemptions. Individuals should monitor stay durations and any government relaxations. Understanding these rules is crucial for managing tax obligations effectively.

Investing Rs 20,000 monthly through a systematic investment plan can help build a Rs 5 crore corpus over time. Assuming a 12 per cent annual return, the estimate shows it may take around 28 years and 3 months with no lumpsum investment, depending on market performance and compounding benefits over time.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I want to gift a large amount to my daughter living abroad for her future needs. What is the simplest way to send it?

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has launched a largecap fund - JioBlackRock Large Cap Fund. The new fund offer or NFO of the fund is open for subscription and will close on April 7.

Forget your UPI PIN? BHIM app now allows transactions up to Rs 5,000 using fingerprint or facial recognition. This new biometric authentication feature by NPCI NBSL offers a quicker, simpler, and more secure way to make everyday payments, especially when remembering your PIN is a challenge. It enhances user-friendliness for online, merchant, and peer-to-peer transactions.

Housing societies cannot block online deliveries like Amazon or Zomato for unpaid maintenance dues. Legal experts clarify that such actions interfere with residents' normal use of their homes and are not permitted. Societies must follow statutory procedures and their bye-laws for recovery, which may include interest, penalties, or legal action, but not restricting essential services.