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Elections 2026Personal Finance / The Economic Times
Taxpayers must review their Annual Information Statement before filing their Income Tax Return. This statement details financial transactions linked to a taxpayer's PAN for a specific year. Information is dynamically updated throughout the year as reports are processed by various entities.
Shriram Finance Limited has revised its fixed deposit interest rates starting July 2, 2026. Regular depositors will now earn up to 7.50% annually on specific tenures. Senior citizens will receive an enhanced rate of 8% on these fixed deposits.
Investor interest in midcap and smallcap mutual funds saw a strong comeback in June. These funds attracted significant inflows, becoming major contributors to equity mutual fund recovery. Broader market stock performance encouraged investors to increase allocations to these segments. Midcap and smallcap funds delivered notable returns, reflecting renewed investor confidence. The net assets under management for these categories also experienced substantial growth.
Gold jewellery rates saw a slight decrease across major brands today. Tanishq's 22-carat gold price dropped to Rs 13,275 per gram. Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Joyalukkas also listed 22-carat gold at Rs 13,230. Kalyan Jewellers has yet to update its prices for the day. IBJA's indicative rates serve as a benchmark for the country.
Sovereign Gold Bonds offer investors a chance for early redemption after five years. Specific tranches are eligible for premature exit in July 2026. Investors must submit redemption requests within strict official timelines. These requests are processed through banks, post offices, and other designated channels. Missing the submission window may result in the rejection of redemption requests.
Equity mutual fund inflows climbed 26% in June to Rs 28,973 crore, led by strong investments in midcap, smallcap and flexicap funds, while ELSS and dividend yield funds continued witnessing net outflows.
Anand Vardarajan will become Tata Asset Management's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. He takes over from Prathit Bhobe, who steps down in July 2026. Vardarajan has been with the company since 2018, serving as Chief Business Officer. Hemant Kumar is appointed Chief Business Officer, overseeing various business functions. These appointments ensure a smooth leadership transition for future growth.
The mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio eased in June, falling below 100% for the first time in months. More new SIPs were registered than those discontinued or completed their tenures. SIP contributions reached a record Rs 31,781 crore, showing investor confidence in long-term investing. Retail mutual fund assets and folios also saw an increase during the month. This trend reinforces disciplined investor participation in India's growth story.
Sebi has issued revised norms for mutual fund intraday borrowing. These new rules will become effective from September 1, 2026. Mutual funds can now borrow temporarily to manage liquidity mismatches. This allows them to meet unit holder payouts and investment pay-ins. The borrowing quantum will be linked to expected daily receivables.
Sold property for Rs 2.63 crore and reported Rs 16.33 lakh LTCG, claimed home loan interest, travel, water, electricity and brokerage as expenses; Tax dept denied the expenses; ITAT Bangalore allows partly allows his expenses claim. Know why did the NRI win the tax case in ITAT Bangalore.
Equity mutual fund inflows increased significantly in June, reaching 28,973 crore. Retail investors returned to mid- and small-cap segments, allocating substantial funds to these categories. Systematic investment plan collections also saw a modest rise during the month. The mutual fund industry's assets under management edged up slightly, aided by market gains. Sectoral and thematic funds also experienced renewed investor interest and recovered inflows.
Karnataka RERA ordered a builder to provide promised amenities within ninety days. The builder failed to deliver Cauvery water and electricity meters for six years. He must now transfer land Khata and common facilities to the homeowners' association. The RERA Act protects homebuyers and ensures developers fulfill past promises. This ruling mandates builders adhere to agreed amenities and their maintenance.
Banks will remain closed on Saturday, July 11, 2026? Digital banking services will continue to be available for customers even if banks are closed. Routine transactions can be performed using mobile and internet banking applications.
Starting September 1, 2026, SEBI allows mutual funds to use intraday borrowing to manage short-term liquidity mismatches for payouts. Asset management companies must cover all borrowing costs, ensuring no financial risk is passed on to the scheme investors.
The Employees' Pension Scheme, 2026, introduces significant changes for EPF members. Withdrawal benefits now require a 36-month waiting period after exit. Existing members will seamlessly continue their coverage under the new scheme.
Global stablecoin market value exceeds three hundred billion dollars, dominated by US dollar denominations. The United Kingdom faces a strategic challenge to increase its presence in this evolving financial architecture. Stablecoins offer efficiency in cross-border payments and programmability for the AI economy. Risks exist but are manageable with appropriate regulatory frameworks and clarity. India must also develop a clear stablecoin policy to avoid falling behind global trends.
You must know certain things about your money, growing it, making it work hard for you to see the growth on a practical level. Being financially rich and having the ability to live like a millionaire are fundamentally two very different things, Ferriss states in his book The 4-Hour Workweek.
Gold ETF inflows surged to Rs 3,443 crore and silver ETF inflows reached Rs 4,286 crore in June, reversing recent outflows. Investors increased allocations despite negative monthly returns, highlighting continued demand for precious metals as strategic portfolio diversification and passive investment options.
8th Pay Commission salary calculator: Employee bodies are demanding higher house rent allowance percentages for central government staff. The 8th Pay Commission's meeting in Kolkata will conclude today. HRA is a significant salary component, directly linked to basic pay revisions. Calculations show potential HRA increases with different fitment factors. These estimates illustrate the impact of revised basic salaries on employee allowances.
Senior Citizens Savings Scheme offers a higher interest rate than the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme. An investment of five lakh rupees in SCSS yields approximately forty-one thousand rupees annually. The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme provides nearly thirty-seven thousand rupees in annual interest. SCSS offers tax benefits on principal investment under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Salaried individuals, pensioners, and students must select the appropriate ITR form for AY 2026-2027. Taxpayers not requiring an audit can use ITR-1, ITR-2, or ITR-3 for their filings. The due date for filing income tax returns is July 31, 2027. Certain transactions necessitate filing an ITR even below basic exemption limits. Understanding these guidelines ensures accurate tax compliance for all individuals.
Five Nifty Next 50 ETFs topped large-cap fund performance with annualised returns of nearly 19% over three years, while five BSE Sensex index funds lagged, delivering modest single-digit annualised returns between 6% and 6.7%.
Mutual fund SIP inflows rose to a three-month high of Rs 31,781 crore in June, up 3% month-on-month and 17% year-on-year, according to AMFI data. Equity mutual fund inflows also rebounded sharply, jumping 26% from May to Rs 28,973 crore, reflecting stronger investor participation and renewed interest in equity schemes amid improving market sentiment.
Zerodha's Nithin Kamath and Groww are debating direct mutual fund offerings publicly. Kamath reiterated Zerodha's commitment to free direct mutual fund plans. Groww clarified that its optional subscription service does not replace direct mutual funds. Direct mutual funds remain free for do-it-yourself investors on Groww. This debate highlights shifts in India's investment platform industry.
Equity mutual fund inflows saw a significant surge in June, reaching Rs 28,973 crore. Midcap funds attracted the highest investor interest, followed by small cap and flexi cap funds. Sectoral and thematic funds experienced a substantial jump in inflows during the month. Conversely, dividend yield and ELSS funds continued to witness outflows. This data reflects investor activity as reported by AMFI for the month.
Taxpayers can reset their Income Tax e-filing portal passwords without a registered mobile number. Options include using a Digital Signature Certificate or net banking facilities. If these are unavailable, an email request with necessary documents can be sent.
Edelweiss Mutual Fund will halt new SIP and STP subscriptions in seven schemes. This suspension takes effect from July 10, 2026, impacting international and sectoral funds. Existing systematic transactions will continue as usual without any changes. The fund house cited nearing overseas investment limits as the primary reason for this decision. Investors were previously informed about subscription caps on these specific schemes.
The HDFC Defence Fund boosted its holdings in Mazagon Dock and Tata Motors during June. It also added shares of Bharat Electronics, BEML, and Bosch to its portfolio. The fund completely exited Rishabh Instruments, selling its entire stake. Seventeen existing stock exposures remained unchanged, including Bharat Forge and HAL. The fund's performance has outperformed its benchmark in shorter timeframes.
NJ Mutual Fund has launched the NJ Momentum Fund, an NFO that seeks to capture strong price trends through a rules-based momentum strategy backed by quality filters. While experts see momentum as a useful satellite allocation, they advise limiting exposure and caution that investors may be better off choosing proven, lower-cost existing momentum funds.
Gold prices saw an increase today across major Indian jewellery brands. Tanishq's 22k gold jewellery is priced at Rs 13,320 per gram. Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and Joyalukkas also show similar rates. IBJA's indicative rates for gold and silver were released for July 9. The 24k gold price at Tanishq is Rs 14,531 per gram.
Term insurance offers protection, but an accidental death rider provides additional payout. This rider is an optional add-on, not a replacement for base coverage. It specifically covers fatalities directly resulting from accidents like road or air mishaps. Individuals in high-risk occupations or frequent travelers should consider this rider. However, increasing base term cover is prioritized if existing life insurance is insufficient.
Salaried employees can claim child education allowance tax exemption under the old tax regime. This exemption is available for up to two children per taxpayer. For FY 2026-27, the monthly limit increases significantly to Rs 3,000 per child. Self-employed individuals and those opting for the new tax regime cannot claim this benefit. Both parents can claim the exemption separately for their eligible children.
Indian residents holding foreign assets must report them in Schedule FA. This reporting uses the calendar year ending December 31, 2025. Assets held even for one day during this period require declaration. This applies irrespective of the foreign country's fiscal year. Failure to report can lead to penalties for non-compliance.
Flexi cap funds offer fund managers investment freedom across market capitalizations and sectors. These schemes are recommended for moderate investors seeking long-term wealth creation over five years. Investors should carefully select schemes aligning with their individual risk appetite and temperament. Several flexi cap funds are highlighted for potential investment in July 2026. Performance metrics like rolling returns and downside risk guide fund selection.
Overseas financial account information will now be included in taxpayers' Form 26AS. This move will allow taxpayers to view their foreign financial data with the Income Tax Department. It helps reconcile overseas income and assets with tax filings effectively. The CBDT has directed the Director General of Income-tax (Systems) to upload this information. Information relating to 2022, 2023, and 2024 will be uploaded within ninety days.
This is a CBDT order dated July 8, 2026 issued under Section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961. It is an administrative order that authorizes the Income-tax Department to upload foreign financial information received under Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) into taxpayers' Annual Information Statement (AIS) in Form 26AS/AIS. Know more.
SSY interest rate: The Sukanya Samriddhi Account offers an 8.2% annual interest rate, compounded yearly. Parents can invest up to Rs 1.5 lakh annually for a girl child's future. Consistent investment builds a significant corpus over a 21-year maturity period. Deposits and earnings under this scheme are tax-exempt, providing significant financial benefits.
ITR Filing 2026: Income Tax Return forms now require additional details for Section 80G deductions. Taxpayers must report transaction reference numbers and bank IFSC codes for donations. Schedule 80GGC also mandates providing the political party's name and PAN. These enhanced disclosures apply to AY 2026-2027 filings. The changes aim to improve traceability of charitable contributions.
Around 13 mutual funds and two Specialized Investment Funds are currently open for subscription across categories including hybrid, index, ETF, multi-asset and large & midcap funds. Investors can choose from offerings by ICICI Prudential, SBI, Mirae Asset, UTI and others.
JioBlackRock Flexi Cap Fund exited Vedanta group companies following the demerger of the entities in June, according to monthly portfolio data from ACE MF. The fund sold 8.16 lakh shares each of Vedanta Aluminium Metal, Vedanta Iron and Steel, Vedanta Power, and Vedanta Oil and Gas after the demerged entities were listed on June 15, 2026.
EPFO has centralized its member database for faster and smoother service delivery. Annual interest for FY 2025-2026 will be credited by July 15, 2026. Advance withdrawal auto-settlement limits have been raised to Rs 5 lakh. Automatic PF account transfers will occur upon job changes without separate forms. EPFO services are now accessible from any PF office across India.
Around 59% of large and midcap stocks are trading at least 20% below their all-time highs after the recent market correction, creating attractive long-term investment opportunities, according to Abakkus Mutual Fund. The fund house believes improving earnings, reasonable valuations and active stock selection could drive the next phase of returns.

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