You are still young and want to start saving for your retirement. You want to ensure that you get a regular income after retirement. For this reason, you want to invest in a pension plan. Which pension plan do you pick up? There is NPS (National Pension Scheme) and there are several pension plans from the insurance companies. Which one would you pick? In a pension … [Read more...] about NPS vs Pension Plans from Insurance Companies: Which is better?
Taxes
Need money within 3 years: Bank FD or a Debt Mutual Fund?
You got Rs. 10 lacs with you. You know you would need the money or at least some portion of it within 3 years. Where would you invest that money? A Bank Fixed Deposit or a Debt Mutual Fund? Let's assume debt mutual funds have as low risk as FDs and FDs are as flexible as debt MFs. The only difference is in tax treatment. And that both return 8%. After 1 year, you … [Read more...] about Need money within 3 years: Bank FD or a Debt Mutual Fund?
Tax Benefit for Electric Car Loans under Sec 80EEB: What are the real tax savings?
The Union Budget 2019 brought good news if you were planning to purchase an electric bike or car on loan. A new section 80EEB was introduced to provide deduction up to Rs 1.5 lacs on the interest paid on electric vehicle loans. Car loans are medium value and short (or medium) term loans. Given this peculiarity about car loans, how much tax savings does this section really … [Read more...] about Tax Benefit for Electric Car Loans under Sec 80EEB: What are the real tax savings?
Do not Overestimate Tax Benefits on Home Loan Repayment
You have some cash in hand because of the recent annual performance bonus that you received. You have not yet decided how to use that money. You have no credit card or personal loan which needs to be settled at a high priority. You only have a home loan but you are not planning to part prepay it because you will lose out on tax benefits. This is a common refrain among home … [Read more...] about Do not Overestimate Tax Benefits on Home Loan Repayment
NPS: Your Employer offers to contribute, Should you sign up?
Tax incentives for NPS have gotten better and better over the last few years. In 2018, NPS almost became an EEE product. Almost. The entire lump sum withdrawal at the time of retirement (60 years) became exempt from tax. The same was notified in Union Budget 2019 too. In my previous posts on NPS, I have solely focussed on if and how much you must invest in NPS. Here is my … [Read more...] about NPS: Your Employer offers to contribute, Should you sign up?
How Marginal Relief helps those who pay Surcharge on Income Tax?
Taxes for the rich (high-income earners to be more precise) are going up. Apart from the usual income tax rates, you may have to pay surcharge too if your taxable income is in excess of Rs 50 Lacs. A Surcharge is levied on the income tax. Until about a few years back, the surcharge was applicable only if your income exceeded Rs 1 crores. Over the last few years, the Government … [Read more...] about How Marginal Relief helps those who pay Surcharge on Income Tax?
Misconceptions about Life Insurance Tax Benefits; Insurance payouts can be taxable too
Myth 1: The entire life insurance premium is eligible for tax deduction. Myth 2: The payouts from the life insurance policies are always exempt from income tax. Reality: You may not tax benefit for the life insurance premium paid. Moreover, the payouts from the life insurance policies may not be tax exempt either. There are a few conditions involved before you enjoy … [Read more...] about Misconceptions about Life Insurance Tax Benefits; Insurance payouts can be taxable too
Final Budget 2019: Taxes for the Rich, Benefits for Buyers of Homes, Electric Vehicles
The Finance Minister presented the final budget for FY2019-2020 on July 5, 2019. Here are the key highlights of the budget. Income Tax slabs unchanged; Surcharge increased for the rich There has been no change in the income tax slabs. There is a sharp increase in surcharge for those earning more than Rs 2 crores. We must understand the impact of the surcharge … [Read more...] about Final Budget 2019: Taxes for the Rich, Benefits for Buyers of Homes, Electric Vehicles
Who is NRI as per FEMA and Income Tax Act?
Moving abroad for employment or planning to shift back to India permanently? How will your income be taxed? Can you continue holding NRE deposit and continue to get tax-free interest? Well, everything begins with finding out whether you qualify as an NRI or a resident. And this may not always be easy. To add to the confusion, the definition of Non-resident is different under … [Read more...] about Who is NRI as per FEMA and Income Tax Act?
Budget 2019: Key Highlights
The Union budget 2019 was presented on Feb 1, 2019. There were some tax sops offered to the middle class. A new pension scheme for the workers in the unorganized sector was launched. There was an announcement of guaranteed basic income for certain section of farmers. So, something for everyone. Here are the highlights. 1. Income tax … [Read more...] about Budget 2019: Key Highlights
