The tax regime for NPS has gotten better and better over the last few years. In December 2018, the Government has almost given EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax status to NPS. Is NPS really EEE? NPS has almost attained EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax status. This is in line with the other popular retirement products such as EPF and PPF. However, there is still some … [Read more...] about With NPS almost EEE, should you now invest in NPS?
Financial Planning
Good News: Lumpsum withdrawal from NPS is now exempt from tax
The Government of India has brought about a few important changes to NPS (National Pension Scheme). All the changes are beneficial for the NPS investors. Some of the changes are only for the Central Government Employees while the others apply to all the NPS subscribers. Let’s go through the changes in detail. Change # 1 (Taxation of NPS Maturity proceeds) This change … [Read more...] about Good News: Lumpsum withdrawal from NPS is now exempt from tax
You can now invest online in Government Bonds easily. Should you?
Investing in Government Securities has become simpler. The Reserve Bank of India had notified, in November 2017, that stock exchanges can act as aggregators for retail investor and thus facilitate bidding for Government securities at RBI auctions. Discount broker Zerodha and NSE came out with the online facility to purchase Government bonds recently (late 2018). In this post, … [Read more...] about You can now invest online in Government Bonds easily. Should you?
How to select the Best ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plan) for your portfolio?
The topic of this post may seem odd, given what I regularly write about ULIPs. I advocate mutual funds over unit-linked insurance plans (ULIPs) and for good reasons. I do not deny bias though. I wrote a detailed post comparing mutual funds and ULIPs and showing why I prefer mutual funds over ULIPs, despite ULIPs enjoying far superior tax treatment as compared to mutual … [Read more...] about How to select the Best ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plan) for your portfolio?
How claim is settled if you have two Health Insurance plans?
Many of us have more than one health insurance policies. And I receive a number of queries over e-mail and as comments in my blog post about discontent with claim settlements for two policies. Many have a grievance that the insurers did not settle as they expected and they had to pay the balance from their pockets. I had done a post on the pros and cons of having multiple … [Read more...] about How claim is settled if you have two Health Insurance plans?
If you are old, avoid ULIPs
One big advantage that ULIPs have over equity mutual funds is that the maturity proceeds from ULIPs are exempt from tax. On the other hand, the long-term capital gains on the sale of equity mutual funds are taxed at 10%. LTCG on sale of debt mutual funds is taxed at 20% after indexation. In an earlier post, I highlighted why I still prefer mutual funds over ULIPs. I don’t deny … [Read more...] about If you are old, avoid ULIPs
NPS Tax Benefits and Tax Treatment at Maturity (Latest)
In this post, I will discuss tax benefits for NPS and the tax treatment of maturity proceeds. I will discuss if it makes sense to invest in NPS now or if you should invest in NPS for the exclusive benefit of Rs 50,000 under Section 80CCD(1B). NPS Tax Benefits (Latest) This part has not been affected by the latest budget. Only contribution to Tier-I NPS account is eligible … [Read more...] about NPS Tax Benefits and Tax Treatment at Maturity (Latest)
Should you invest in Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)?
Every few months, we see Non-convertible debenture (NCD) issues from various companies. As on date (September 7, 2019), the NCD issues from Tata Housing, Aadhar Housing Finance and IndiaBulls Commercial Credit are live. Should you invest in such NCDs? Well, in this post, I will not review any particular issue of NCD. I will focus the benefits and risks involved in investing … [Read more...] about Should you invest in Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)?
LIC Jeevan Akshay VI: All you need to know (Review)
LIC Jeevan Akshay VI is one of the most popular plans from LIC. In fact, it is one of the very few plans from LIC that I do not dislike. LIC Jeevan Akshay VI is an immediate annuity plan. You pay a lump sum amount once and the insurance company pays you a pension for life. It does not matter how long you live. The insurance company will pay you the pension for life. Not just … [Read more...] about LIC Jeevan Akshay VI: All you need to know (Review)
How Tax loss Harvesting can help you save Capital Gains Tax?
Introduction on tax on the long-term capital gain (LTCG) on the sale of equity funds/shares is a clear pain point for the equity investors. If you rebalance your portfolio at regular intervals (which you should) or have been planning to switch your regular plan investments to direct plan, you will have to incur some cost now. Earlier (before the introduction of the tax on … [Read more...] about How Tax loss Harvesting can help you save Capital Gains Tax?
