The Economic Times

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.

Indian companies showed strong financial health in 2025-26. Rating upgrades outnumbered downgrades, indicating robust balance sheets and steady demand. Policy support also played a key role. While external risks have eased, the West Asia crisis poses new challenges. Geopolitical events and global trade will be closely watched for credit quality in the upcoming fiscal year.

Gold prices are on the rise as the new financial year begins. Major jewellery brands and the IBJA reported higher rates for 22K and 24K gold on April 1, 2026. Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Joyalukkas have all seen an uptick in their gold prices. Silver prices have also experienced a significant increase.

Zerodha Mutual Fund has launched the Nifty LargeMidcap250 Plus 813 Yr G-Sec 70:30 Index Fund, a hybrid index fund offering exposure to Indias top 250 equities and government securities in a single, passively managed vehicle. The NFO is open until April 15, after which the scheme will reopen for continuous sale and repurchase within five business days of allotment.

SBI UPI down: Downdetector shows a steep jump in the number of complaints, including over 500 payment issue-related complaints reports for State Bank of India.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes has introduced new forms for correcting PAN card details. These forms, PAN CR-01 for individuals and PAN CR-02 for non-individuals, will be effective from April 1, 2026. Both online and offline submissions are permitted. Applicants must provide correct PAN details and a copy of their PAN card. Aadhaar is mandatory for most applicants.

The Income Tax Department has launched a revamped e-filing portal to support the transition to the new Income Tax Act, 2025. Taxpayers can now make payments and file forms under both old and new tax laws from a single platform, with new forms and challans available from April 1, 2026.

Financial tasks: Proactive financial planning, from retirement savings to KYC updates and nominee details, ensures a smoother year ahead.. The new financial year offers a prime opportunity to organize your finances.

New financial year brings significant mutual fund reforms. Expect revised GST, introduction of life cycle funds, and discontinuation of children's and retirement schemes. Equity funds can now invest in gold and silver, while stricter rules apply to thematic funds. These changes aim to boost transparency and investor protection.

Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund has a strong history of positive returns. However, recent performance indicates a slowdown. The fund has struggled to consistently outperform its peers and benchmark over shorter periods. Experts suggest large-cap funds remain a core part of equity portfolios for stability. Investors should consider their risk appetite and goals.

Silver and gold ETFs saw significant gains on Wednesday. A weaker dollar and easing geopolitical tensions boosted investor sentiment. Gold prices edged up, while silver experienced a slight dip. Experts suggest this consolidation offers an attractive entry point for long-term investors. Rising fuel prices and gold rates create an inflationary environment.

ETMutualFunds' best mutual fund SIP portfolios are meant for three different individual risk profiles: conservative, moderate and aggressive. We have also considered three SIP baskets between Rs 2,000-5,000, between Rs 5,000-10,000 and above Rs 10,000 while creating these portfolios. Take a look at our recommended portfolios.

New income tax rules: Significant income tax changes are coming from April 1, 2026, with the Income Tax Act of 2025 replacing the 1961 act. Expect revised TDS/TCS rules, updated ITR filing deadlines, and changes to buyback taxation. Key benefits include expanded HRA exemptions and increased meal card tax benefits, aiming for a simpler tax regime.

Feeling let down by your health insurance? Portability allows you to switch providers without losing benefits like waiting period credits and no-claim bonuses. Understand the rules and benefits to ensure a smooth transition to a better policy when it's time for renewal.

The Income Tax Department has clarified a new 12% surcharge on capital gains from share buybacks, specifically for promoters. This change, part of the Finance Bill 2026, impacts promoters' additional income tax. Non-promoter shareholders will continue to be taxed under normal surcharge provisions based on their income. This move standardizes tax treatment for buyback transactions.

Banks across India will observe closures on April 1 for annual account closing. While branches may be shut, digital banking services like ATMs and UPI will operate normally. Several other holidays are also scheduled for April 2026, impacting banking operations in various states. Customers are advised to check specific bank schedules.

Geopolitical tensions are driving up crude oil prices, impacting India's bond yields and weakening the rupee. This inflationary pressure is causing mark-to-market losses, especially in long-duration debt funds. Investors with longer horizons can weather short-term dips, while those with shorter goals should opt for less volatile funds. Patience is advised before increasing gilt fund exposure.

Equity mutual fund returns have faced significant pressure over the last year, with most categories experiencing value erosion. Large-Cap, Flexi-Cap, and Focused Funds saw category averages decline between 3.5% and 4.3%. While Small-Cap funds struggled, Mid-Cap funds demonstrated relative resilience.

The CBDT has mandated a Document Identification Number (DIN) for all income tax correspondence to taxpayers via a circular dated March 31, 2026. This new directive replaces the 2019 rules, ensuring taxpayers can verify the authenticity of official communications. Exceptions exist for technical difficulties or when electronic referencing is impossible, but these require post-facto approval within 15 days.

Central government employees and pensioners are awaiting the January 2026 Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) hike announcement. Despite expectations ahead of Holi and a late March cabinet meeting, no decision has been made. Experts suggest administrative complexities related to the 8th Pay Commission and fiscal balance calibration are causing the delay, with an announcement likely in early April.

April 2026: Indian banks will be closed on several days in April 2026. These closures are for yearly account closing and various regional festivals. Customers should check local holiday lists before visiting branches. Specific holidays include Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti.

Gold rate prediction: Gold prices experienced a slight increase on March 31, 2026, with 22K gold rates rising across major jewelry brands like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Joyalukkas.

Non-banking financial companies actively tapped the commercial paper market in March, driven by year-end funding needs, while corporates adopted a cautious approach due to high borrowing costs and ample internal funds. This trend is expected to continue. Bank certificate of deposit issuances remained stable, suggesting easing short-term funding pressures in the banking sector.

Budget 2026 extended the revised Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline to March 31, but this change is effective from Assessment Year 2026-27, not AY 2025-26. Taxpayers can file revised ITRs to correct errors, report missed income, or adjust for changes in tax laws, with a new 12-month window from the end of the tax year.

The 8th Pay Commission will visit Dehradun on April 24, 2026, to consult stakeholders on pay and allowances. The commission, formed in November 2025, has invited suggestions from employees, pensioners, and unions via email by April 10, 2026. The deadline for submitting views and questionnaire responses is April 30, 2026.

Suryoday Small Finance Bank has revised its fixed deposit interest rates, effective March 29, 2026. Customers can now earn up to 8.10% per annum on a special 30-month FD, with senior citizens receiving an additional 0.15% interest. Deposits are insured by DICGC up to Rs 5 lakh.

Actress Malaika Arora Khan has rented out her Bandra West apartment for a monthly rent of Rs 3.1 lakh, with a total lease value of Rs 1.17 crore over three years. The deal, registered in March 2026, highlights the premium rental trends in the upscale Bandra West area, known for its luxury living and excellent connectivity.

Setting realistic return expectations is crucial for mutual fund investors, especially in volatile markets. Experts highlight that returns cannot be guaranteed, and AMFIs indicative ranges should only be used for planning. Investors should align expectations with goals, risk appetite and time horizon, rather than chasing fixed or past returns.

Salaried employees may face an additional Rs 62,400 in income tax if they engage in tax harvesting with a Rs 12.75 lakh salary. This occurs because long-term capital gains, though exempt up to Rs 1.25 lakh, push total income above the Rs 12 lakh threshold, disqualifying them from the Section 87A tax rebate.

Top small-cap mutual funds have delivered over 28% annualised returns in three years, attracting investors seeking high-growth opportunities despite higher risk.

Major financial and banking rule changes are coming from April 1, 2026. SBI Card, NHAI FASTag, and RuPay debit card lounge access will see revisions. PAN card applications will require additional documents. Digital payment transactions will need two-factor authentication. New income tax rules also take effect. These changes will affect many users.

I am a German citizen, and have an OCI card. How will inheritance of assets located in India be taxed for me? Is the inheritance itself taxable in India, or only the income generated from the inherited assets?

Investors are exploring global equity markets for diversification and growth, especially with the Indian rupee facing pressure. The Baroda BNP Paribas Aqua Fund of Fund offers dual benefits: exposure to international equities and potential gains from currency depreciation. This thematic fund focuses on the water value chain, providing geographical diversification and reducing reliance on domestic market cycles.