The Economic Times

Top-performing equity mutual funds delivered over 20% five-year returns, led by infrastructure, midcap, and smallcap funds, with varying AUM, ratings, and expense ratios highlighting strong performance.

Many taxpayers who purchase or construct a residential house to claim exemption under Sections 54 or 54F are unaware that selling the house within the prescribed lock-in period can reverse the earlier tax benefit. This article explains how such a sale affects the computation of capital gains, highlights the different tax implications under the two provisions, and outlines the precautions taxpayers should take while filing their Income Tax Return (ITR) for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27

Fund managers typically maintain cash to meet redemption requests and deploy capital when attractive investment opportunities arise.

Husband refused to take wife back home after she suffered an accident making her wheelchair bound; Hospital files case; HC orders him to take care and orders police to escort her. Know what the high court said.

Indian residents cannot gift US shares purchased through the LRS route to their NRI children. The liberalised remittance scheme requires sale proceeds to be repatriated within 180 days. US stocks held under LRS may face US estate tax upon the investor's death. Indian residents can reduce this exposure by investing through non-US domiciled vehicles. Lifetime gifting and succession planning can also mitigate these tax complications.

AU Small Finance Bank has raised interest rates on FCNR(B) and NRE fixed deposits. These new rates are effective from July 27, 2026, for specific tenures. The government's decision to bear hedging costs on FCNR deposits influenced this change. AU SFB also offers zero forex margin and bank charges on remittances. These benefits provide NRIs with a comprehensive banking solution for wealth growth.

Central government employees retired between 2006 and 2008 will not receive MACP benefits. The Modified Assured Career Progression scheme began on September 1, 2008. This means the scheme was not active during their service period. Employee bodies are now demanding more MACP promotions for Group C and B staff. They seek five financial upgradations instead of the current three.

The government has notified the EPS pension 2026 scheme, superseding older plans. Existing pension fund benefits are protected under the new scheme. A special drive is underway to dispose of pending labor cases expeditiously. The new scheme maintains the pension calculation formula and contribution rates. Membership eligibility is defined for those joining after June 29, 2026.

Stopping SIP contributions permanently can significantly delay wealth creation goals as investors lose the benefit of regular investments and long-term compounding. ET Wealth analysis shows how discontinuing a Rs 20,000 monthly SIP can delay a Rs 1 crore corpus target by several years.

Around 21 equity mutual funds delivered over 20% XIRR on SIP investments over the past year, an ETMutualFunds analysis found. Small-cap funds dominated the list, with the top seven all belonging to the category and five generating over 30% XIRR. Bank of India Small Cap Fund topped the rankings with a 39.08% XIRR, turning a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into around Rs 1.43 lakh.

ET Wealth Reader's Query: I am 43, a homemaker, with mutual fund investments of Rs 35 lakh and stock investments of Rs 50 lakh, mostly invested from my husbands income. During FY2025 26, I received dividend income of Rs 98,000, on which TDS of Rs 4,000 was deducted. I have no short-term or long-term capital gains during the year. In earlier years, I filed ITR-1 and reported annual income of Rs 2-3 lakh from private tuition. Is it appropriate to continue reporting Rs 2-3 lakh as income from priva

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund leads five-year returns, raising questions about future performance. The fund delivered strong CAGR, outperforming its benchmark and category average. However, recent valuations suggest a lower scope for similar past returns. Experts advise diversified equity fund investments to mitigate concentration risk. Investors can consider SIPs for rupee cost averaging during market fluctuations.

Gold prices saw a decrease today across major Indian jewellery brands. Rates for 22K gold jewellery varied slightly between Tanishq and other leading jewellers. These rates were observed across major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association also provides indicative rates for various gold purities.

Employee mistakenly declared Rs 14 lakh Australia salary in Indian ITR, later sought Rs 3.4 lakh foreign tax credit in India for tax paid in Australia; ITAT gives him full tax exemption on salary but denies Rs 3.4 lakh foreign tax credit. Know how employee won the fight in ITAT Delhi.

The EPFO has launched a new digital platform to help members trace old accounts. Members can now securely access and transfer their accumulated PF balances online. This new portal simplifies the process of consolidating funds from inoperative EPF accounts.

New fund offer collections by asset management companies fell significantly. Funds raised through new fund offers reached a five-year low in June. This sharp decline followed weak equity market sentiments in the preceding quarter. Although market sentiment improved, it did not revive new fund offer fundraising. Established fund houses and differentiated products may still attract investor interest.

Non-Resident Indians can now purchase US dollar-denominated term insurance plans in India. These plans are available through Policybazaar's partner insurers at GIFT City. Premiums and claim payouts will be processed in US dollars, addressing currency depreciation risks. This initiative allows global Indians to access internationally aligned financial products within India.

Homebuyer wins full Rs 18 lakh refund in Mumbai: While the developer issued an allotment letter dated August 16, 2010, it failed to provide possession to the buyer. In view of the delay, the homebuyer had approached Maharashtra RERA seeking relief. The authority had on April 24, 2025, ordered the relief of possession to the homebuyer. He again filed a review seeking refund of the amount.

Rising education costs necessitate early financial planning for parents. Disciplined investing and compounding can build a substantial education corpus. A bachelor's degree costing Rs 10 lakh today could exceed Rs 40 lakh annually in 18 years. Starting investments early significantly reduces monthly contribution requirements. Strategic shifts to debt investments mitigate market risks before college.

ITR filing: Paytm users can now file Income Tax Returns directly through the app. This service is available starting at an affordable price of eleven rupees. The company partnered with ClearTax to offer a quicker online filing process.

Five equity mutual funds have delivered annualised SIP returns of up to 24.4% over the past 10 years, according to ET Wealth. The list is dominated by small-cap and mid-cap funds, highlighting their strong long-term wealth creation potential despite higher market volatility.

Increasing your mutual fund SIP contribution every year can significantly accelerate wealth creation. For a Rs 1 crore target with a Rs 20,000 monthly SIP at 10% return, a 10% annual step-up cuts the timeline by nearly four years, leveraging the dual power of higher savings and compounding.

Indian taxpayers can claim capital gains tax exemptions by reinvesting sale proceeds. Section 54 and 54F allow exemptions for residential property sales and other assets. Specific timelines and conditions must be met for claiming these tax benefits. Unutilised amounts must be deposited in the Capital Gains Account Scheme. Reporting these exemptions is crucial in the Income Tax Return schedules.

High Courts are questioning GST notice validity when only uploaded online. Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled portal uploads are not valid service. Other High Courts also quashed notices due to improper tab placement. Taxpayers must now regularly check the GST portal for any notices. The Supreme Court may soon provide a definitive ruling on this matter.

Smallcap stocks have emerged as the best-performing asset class in 2026 so far, rebounding sharply after a correction in late 2025 and early 2026. ET Wealth examines the factors driving the rally and compares the performance of other major asset classes, including gold, silver, debt, midcaps and largecaps.

Rs 17.41 lakh penalty imposed due to error in ITR filed by junior staff in CA firm; Here's how affidavit from the CA firm's owner helps taxpayer get relief from penalty in ITAT Mumbai. Know how taxpayer won case in ITAT Mumbai

ITR filing deadline: The July 31 income tax return deadline approaches with many taxpayers yet to file. Experts are divided on whether the government will extend the filing deadline. Some believe the portal is functioning smoothly and an extension is unlikely. Others suggest a short extension might be granted if glitches persist. Taxpayers are advised to file their returns before the July 31 deadline.

The Employees Provident Fund offers retirement security and employer contributions. Mutual funds are voluntary investments with market-linked returns and potential capital gains tax. EPF provides additional benefits like pension and life insurance coverage. Mutual fund beneficiaries receive only the investment value upon death.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund's upcoming REIT-oriented index fund has sparked investor interest as India's first such passive offering. Explaining why the scheme excludes InvITs, MD & CEO Radhika Gupta said current SEBI regulations do not allow passive funds to combine equity-classified REITs with hybrid-classified InvITs.

Gold rate today: Gold prices saw an increase on Monday, July 27, 2026, across major cities. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association provided indicative rates for various gold purities. Consumers should check current rates before purchasing gold jewellery.

Nippon Life India Asset Management has become the first mutual fund house in India to cross 4 crore investor folios. Reaching 40.2 million folios as of June 30, 2026, the AMC holds a dominant 39% share of the country's unique investor base, driven by deep retail penetration beyond metros.

Pharma mutual funds are leading returns in CY2026, driven by strong earnings, defensive demand, and US export growth. Despite recent outperformance, experts advise against heavy sectoral bets, recommending a 5% to 10% satellite allocation via SIPs while navigating potential long-term US tariff developments.

Indian investors now have no options for new international mutual fund SIPs. The Baroda BNP Paribas Aqua Fund of Fund suspended new investments on July 23. This action follows SEBI's overseas investment limits for mutual funds. Investors are exploring alternatives like LRS and GIFT City for global exposure. Global ETFs also offer a way to gain international diversification.

8th Pay Commission news: The 8th Pay Commission will hold stakeholder meetings in Chennai on September 7 and 8. Discussions in Puducherry are scheduled for September 9, with appointments closing August 18. Central government employee associations in Delhi met on August 7 and 10. The commission is gathering suggestions on pay, pension, and work conditions. Its final report is due in November 2025 after extensive consultations.

Sebi proposes a new Mutual Fund-only Portfolio Management Services category. This new category will invest exclusively in direct plans of mutual funds. The regulator is lowering entry thresholds and permitting global diversification for investors. This move aims to increase transparency and promote a fee-based wealth management model. Affluent retail investors may gain access to products previously for high networth individuals.

Financial mistakes are often measured by lost rupees, not lost time. Compounding benefits are significantly impacted by delays and interruptions in investments. Pausing systematic investment plans can push financial goals further into the future. Withdrawals from investments also reduce capital available for compounding over time. Increasing SIP contributions can help investors recover lost time and build wealth.

India's securities regulator is proposing major changes to portfolio management services. A new category will lower the minimum investment to Rs. 25 lakh. This move aims to make professional management accessible to more investors. The proposals also allow for wider investment in foreign and unlisted securities. These changes could reshape the investment landscape for many individuals.

A recent Supreme Court ruling bolsters landlord positions in eviction disputes across India. This decision clarifies ownership proof requirements in eviction suits, aiding property owners. The Model Tenancy Act, 2021, aims to balance tenant and landlord rights effectively. Clear rent agreements are crucial for minimising disputes and ensuring transparency. Both tenants and landlords must understand their rights and responsibilities under current laws.

Taxpayers must file income tax returns by the July 31 deadline to avoid penalties. Accuracy is paramount, and mismatches in the Annual Information Statement require careful reconciliation. Foreign asset disclosures and F&O reporting errors can lead to significant tax complications. Understanding deemed residency rules is crucial for Non-Resident Indians filing their returns. Late filing incurs fees and restricts tax regime options and loss carry-forwards.

The RBI is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its 5 August policy meeting, making it one of the few central banks in the region that has not changed policy in response to the Middle East conflict. Governor Sanjay Malhotra has indicated that the policy rate is likely to remain at 5.25%, unless price pressures become broader.

Gold and silver prices have significantly declined after reaching peaks earlier this year. This correction follows a period of strong gains driven by geopolitical risks and momentum. Experts suggest the current pullback is a normalisation after excesses and not a long-term trend reversal. Long-term fundamentals for gold and silver remain intact, supported by central bank buying and consumer demand.

Banks increasingly reward engagement rather than ownership. Issuers want your premium card to become your preferred spending instrument, as it determines whether they earn interchange income, interest or merchant partnerships. Thats one reason why targeted offers, bonus reward campaigns and accelerated earning opportunities exist throughout the year.