Balwant Jain

When the nation is becoming Atmanirbhar, why should we Individuals lag behind? Let us discuss how we can Atmanirbhar and remain Atmanirbhar during all the phases of life. Early days in life Gaining basic knowledge about finance Ideally personal finance should be taught in the school. The basic knowledge about importance of compounding and...

One of my friends,  who had already decided to invest his retirement savings in such a way so that he does not have to pay any tax after his retirement and so wanted to invest in tax free bonds,  had called me to know about the tax-free bonds available. I discussed the matter threadbare with […]...

Traditionally Deepawali is the major occasion when gifts are given and gifts are received. The items given as gifts vary from just boxes of dry fruit and sweet to valuable like gold and silver coins etc. Majority of the recipients of such gifts are under the impression that such gifts have no income tax implications, […]...

Many salaried as well as retired individuals are under the impression that as tax has been deducted from their income; they do not have to file their ITR. Filing of an ITR is a distinct and different responsibility from payment of taxes on your income and both have to be discharged separately. So in order […]...

One of my journalist friends, who retired after completing 60 years, called me to seek my opinion about safe investment avenues with relatively better returns available for senior citizens. And this is how the idea germinated about this article. Let us discuss the safe investment avenues with better returns which are available to senior c...

My nephew who wanted to take a home loan and whom I had advised to obtain his CIBIL report, called me to express his shock when he found 0 credit score in his CIBIL report. He was worried that with 0 score, which he perceived to be negative rating, he would not be able to […]...

Many of home-loan borrowers are under a dilemma after they are able to accumulate some cash, whether to prepay home loan or to deploy the surplus funds in some other investment products. The answer for such question cannot be a ready-made and has to be tailor made for each one depending on factors like mind-frame […]...

During a casual conversation with my friend confession to me that he was not aware about the rate of interest charged on his home loan. I then realized that many persons who take home loan, generally, do not bother to check what rate of interest their lender is charging them. Nowadays, most of home loans […]...

When it comes to investing, as a responsible citizen, one should evaluate our target companies not only based on financial parameters but also on the basis of certain non- financial parameters. For the non-financial parameters, ESG (Environment Empathy, Social Responsibility and corporate governance) can be considered as a good starting p...

Looking at the difficulties faced by Individuals borrowers in servicing their EMIs due  to reduced earning capacity of salaried as well as self employed, the RBI vide its circular dated 6th August 2020 has advised all the lenders to prepare a resolution policy for the borrowers impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. Let us discuss […]...

Before we discuss the taxation rules for Tier II account under NPS let me briefly touch upon the types of accounts under NPS. One can have two type of account under NPS. First is the Tier I account which is the main account and is also called pension account. The second is called Tier II […]...

In view of the pandemic of Covid-19, the RBI had, vide a Circular dated 27th March 2020, permitted the lenders to allow a moratorium for three months of EMI (Equated Monthly Instalments), falling due between 1st March 2020 and 31st May 2020, for various categories of loans. Since the pandemic accompanied with lockdown was bound […]...

A person can open two accounts under National Pension System (NPS). The main account is called Tier I account and an additional account is labelled as Tier II account. Let us understand about both of these accounts. Features of Tier I NPS account: Tier I is the default and proper pension account under NPS. This […]...

Profit on sale of your gold is taxable as Capital Gains unless you are a dealer in gold and jewellery in which case it becomes taxable as Business Income...

We all are locked in difficult and uncertain times of pandemic of Covid-19. Even after 5 months of various stages of lockdown we are yet not in a position to say anything with certainty about how long spread of this pandemic will last and how long the impact of it will last on economy and […]...

In the series of tax reforms, the Prime Minister announced some reformative measure during launch of ‘Transparent taxation honouring honest’ platform like faceless assessment, faceless appeal process and tax payers’ charter. Let us discuss the measures announced and its impact on the system and the tax payers. Since implementati...

The Income tax laws have various restrictions on payment in cash and receipt of money in cash. Some restrictions apply to those engaged in business or profession and some restrictions apply to all. It is important for all of us to understand these restrictions Restrictions on Cash Transactions under Income Tax Laws so as to […]...

We have already discussed the basics of an NPS account in an earlier article. I have also explained that an NPS account can be opened online as well as offline. Let us understand how to open the NPS in both the ways. Read Earlier post: Introduction to NPS account Registering for NPS offline For opening […]...

The Government believes that the tax payers should discharge their income tax liability simultaneously while earning and expects you to Pay as your earn. This philosophy is implemented through two modes....

In continuation to my earlier article on the income tax benefits extended for owning a house, here is the article which explains various other incentives provided for owning/constructing residential house. Let us discuss the various non income tax incentives/facilities provided for owning a residential house as well as tax benefits pr...

The government wants you to own a house and the same becomes evident from the various tax benefits allowed under the income tax laws to the persons who own a house. Let us understand the various beneficial tax provisions which prove that the government wants you to own a house....

Many people specially who do not file their income tax returns are not aware that they have to pay tax in respect of profits made on sale of a residential house.  In certain circumstances, you can save these taxes. Let us discuss it in details. Tax liability on the basis of holding period If the […]...

After the fear of real pandemic of Covid-19, the stories of hugely high cost of treatment of corona in private hospitals has created another pandemic of fear amongst almost all the persons specially those who presently do not have any health insurance. In order to help such persons to get at least financially secured against […]...

All retired senior citizens are finding it difficult to meet both their ends due to double whammy of constant inflation accompanied with reducing interest rates all around. The interest rates offered by banks on fixed deposits have come down to around 6%. Though the private banks and corporate offer higher rates they cannot risk their [&h...

The National Pension Scheme (NPS) was introduced for salaried people in 2004 as an alternative to employee provident fund scheme to move from defined benefits system to defined contribution for retirement benefits. The scheme was extended to all the persons later on. Of late interest of people has grown substantially in NPS. Since subject...

After discontinuing its 7.75% fixed interest rate bonds on  28th May 2020, the RBI has come out with new ‘Floating rate savings  bonds‘ on 26th June 2020 which will be available from 1st July 2020. Article explains Who can buy RBI ‘Floating Rate Savings Bonds’ and nomination facility, Face Value,  tenure and interest ra...

After my article on tax implication of different treatments of profits on sale of shares, I have received unprecedented number of mails asking for clarification as to when it is to be treated as capital gains and when it can be treated as business income. So I decided to write an article on the subject proper as to when it can be treated ...

We all have been familiar with form no. 26AS where we verify details of tax deducted by our employer. Likewise for retired and pensioners the details of tax deducted by the bank also reflect here. The form no. 26AS has the details of all the tax deducted and collected from our income. It also has […]...

Buy a policy which covers your accident insurance and hospitalisation at cost of an accident insurance You are really lucky if you don’t have to travel by rail or road for work. Besides escaping the daily grind of traveling in over-crowded trains and buses, you are also escaping the risk of meeting an accident or […]...

You are required to file your income tax return in case your gross total income exceeds the amount of the basic exemption limit. You can file your return of income for claiming refund of taxes even if your income does not exceed the exemption limit due to TDS or payment of advance taxes . ...

Your spouse not only helps you in meeting your social and personal obligations but also helps you in saving income tax as well. There are certain tax benefits by way of which you can enhance you tax savings through your spouse. Let us discuss some of important provisions. Expenses incurred for your children Presently Indian […]...

Since mother’s day is falling on 10th of May, I thought I would discuss certain things which you can do for your mother to make this day special for her from financial perspective. Let us discuss what all you can do to help her. Give her an annual preventative health check up As all the […]...

Gold has traditionally been a major investment product available for the generations upto our parents. Even in the present era where various financial products available, financial planners advise investment of certain percentage in gold for diversification. Indian and specially females, are obsessed with gold, a  major part of which isÂ...

People working in government services or those working with government departments get pensions after retirement from their services additionally people who have contributed towards Employee Provident Fund (EPF) also get pension under Employee Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995. Even after the death of the employee their family members are also e...

Public Provident Fund (PPF) account is an excellent tool for tax planning as well as for accumulating funds for retirement. The money in PPF account is not supposed to be used any other purpose except under exceptional circumstances. PPF rules allow you to use the money before its maturity. Let us discuss how one can […]...

Senior citizens do not have any active income and ability to earn post their retirement, they thus depend on the interest income and cannot  take any risk with their money. Senior Citizen Saving Scheme (SCSS) is one of the avenue which gives better returns than other products and is perfectly safe. Let us discuss. Who […]...

Does it make sense to take legal opinion when buying a property funded by home loan?  Why it makes sense for you to obtain legal opinion while buying a house even if it is done by the legal team of the bank while grating home loan on the same. When a person buys a property […]...

Many of us are forced into buying insurance products which we do not really need. We get to hear number of horror stories of misselling by insurance advisors. In order to  help readers understand basics of life insurance I have decided to discuss various aspect and variations of life insurance products so that they do […]...

The old age may be, financially, a golden period of your life or the worst part of your life depending on whether you have accumulated enough to meet day today expenses after your retirement. Due to gradual decline of joint family system in India couple with rapid urbanization and the increasing trend of  children staying […]...

How the ULIP will become better with new regulations. The Insurance Regulator IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority) has notified fresh rules for governing Linked Life insurance products on 8th July 2019. In this article I will discuss the major beneficial changes proposed in the new regulations for ULIP products, a  Linke...

What should be the strategy to invest your retirement funds The investment strategy at each stage in life has to have different consideration and must change according to peculiar circumstance. For example a person at the initial stage of his career can take risks with his money and invest substantial portion of his savings in […]...

Majority of the salaried taxpayers do file their ITR by themselves and thus are bound to commit some mistakes due to ignorance of law. In this article I will discuss some of the errors of omission committed by such taxpayers about some of the items of income, which are taxable, but are generally omitted to […]...

Since the deadline of 31st July 2019 for ITR filing is fast approaching, we should not commit the mistakes which we generally commit while filing the ITR form in hurry. Let us discuss the mistakes which people generally commit while filling up the ITR form. Basic contact details Since the income tax department nowadays sends […]...

The number of Individuals who file their ITR is very miniscule in the country.  Out of around 125 Crores of population the number of Individuals who filed their income tax returns for the financial year ended 31st March 2016 was only 4.67 crores i.e. less than 4% of the population. The government has been taking various […]...

Will the new Finance Minister cut tax rate for large companies from the current 30 per cent to 25 per cent in the budget 2019 The first full time woman Finance Minister (FM)  will present her maiden budget on 5th of July, 2019. All the people of the country look forward to the FM as a […]...

Common man’s expectations form the Finance Minister. The budget will be presented on 5th July by the first full time woman finance minister. As a writer on income tax matters, I wish to pen down expectation of common tax payers from her. Changes in the tax rates   The finance minister should retain the initial income […]...

Based on my interaction with most of the salaried people, I have gathered an impression that many of the salaried people feel that as the tax has already been deducted by their employer from their salary, they are not required to file any ITR. Likewise most of the retired people, who mainly survive on interest […]...

Home is a basic need of any person in addition to bread and clothes. With rising prices of houses, it is almost impossible for an average person to buy a house without borrowing for it either through housing loans or through loans from friends and relatives. In this article, I wish to point out why the government should take out the p...

Interest of the investors has been shifting from direct equity investing to equity mutual funds over a few years. Though this is a welcome trend, there are certain mistakes which investors should avoid while making investments as well as while remaining invested in equity mutual funds. Let us discuss some of the major mistakes which [&hel...

How many house you can own and what are the tax implications of owning more than one house? People frequently ask me as to how many house one can buy and own at a time in own name. The answer is as many as you want and can afford.  So there are no restrictions under […]...

The season for filing income tax returns (ITR) is gathering pace as the due date of 31st July is approaching for the majority of taxpayers. Before you actually sit down to file your ITR or visit the office of your tax advisors, you need to do some ground preparation so that the information given in […]...

Mutual Funds are like a department store where many products are on display and every one can get product suitable to his needs, risk appetite, investment horizon.  From product for parking your overnight funds to investing for decades, mutual funds can cater to needs to all investors. As the products offered by mutual fund houses [&hell...

The Supreme Court has on 1st April  2019 has rejected the Special leave petition filed by EFPO against the decision of Kerala High court on quantum of pension payable to an employee after his retirement under employee pension scheme (EPS) 1995. This decision has generated wide spread interest in people working in organised Sector as [&he...

The ITR forms for each year are notified after end of the financial year incorporating changes applicable from the relevant financial year. The Income tax department has notified new ITR forms on 1st April 2019. Since this is a personal finance page, the discussion is restricted to provisions of new ITR which are applicable to […]...

Analysis of recent decision of Supreme Court on Employee Provident Fund Contribution Recent decision of the Supreme Court has tried to settle the long drawn litigation about the allowances which need to be considered for the purpose of contribution under the Employee Provident Fund Scheme. Let us discuss the law and the implications of th...

The government has by a stroke made the taxable income upto Rs. 5 lakhs fully tax free in the hands of small taxpayers without raising the exemption limit. Most of the people have been wondering why the government is not raising the exemption limit instead of playing with Section 87A. I feel the government has […]...

There is a huge confusion in the minds of taxpayers about whether the tax benefits in respect of House Rent Allowance (HRA)  and the benefits attached with a home loan be claimed in the sqme year. This article intends to clear the doubts in this regard....

This interim budget as expected intends to harvest good votes in the election season and has therefore proposed various beneficial proposals for small tax payers It  proposes various provisions which are beneficial for the owners of property. Let us discuss. Enhancement for limit on TDS on rent The Finance Minister (FM) has proposed to e...

The announcement made by the Finance Minister (FM)  of no tax liability for income upto Rs. 5 lakhs created euphoria initially. This  most beneficial proposal in the budget evinced the maximum interest and as well as also created maximum amount of  confusion in the minds of taxpayers till the dust settled down on the proposal […...

Almost all of us keep our money in saving account for meeting various items like EMIs and SIP which gets debited in due course. Since these are temporary fund these cannot be deployed in other products like Fixed Deposits with higher tenure of investment. I intend to explain how the temporary surplus fund in your […]...

How one becomes Non resident under Income Tax and FEMA and the implications of becoming Non resident? Though the word ‘non resident’ is used interchangeably but the tax laws and Foreign Exchange laws have different connotation of it as the purpose of both the laws is different.  Let us discuss. Non resident under tax laws [&h...

The tax laws allow you certain tax benefit for life insurance premium paid. It also allow you tax exemption in respect of the Life insurance policy. These benefits are available subject to certain conditions. Let us understand it. Tax benefits in respect of premium paid Under Section 80C of Income Tax Act, you can claim […]...

Any profit made on sale of an investment generally referred to as capital asset under the income tax laws becomes taxable as short term or long term capital gains depending on the holding period of such asset. Different holding periods, ranging from 12 months to 36 months, are prescribed for different class of assets to […]...

Under Section 80 C, an individual and an HUF can claim a deduction up to Rs 1.50 lakh for principal repayment of home loan taken for a residential house along with other eligible items like Public Provident Fund, Employee Provident Fund, life insurance premium, National Saving Certificates Equity Linked Saving Scheme etc. ...

Submit 15 G or 15 H before the year end to avoid tax deduction from your interest Of late I have been receiving many queries from the readers about submission of forms to the banks so as to ensure that the bank does not deduct tax at source. In order to address those queries I […]...

Post my two articles on National Pension System (NPS), the cabinet has made certain important amendment to NPS on 6th December, 2018. There is confusion galore in the minds of taxpayers about the implications and applicability of the decisions. Taxation of pension Tax benefits for NPS contribution Let us discuss. Increase in the contribu...

In order to promote education, the government provides certain relief to the individual tax payers in respect of certain expenses incurred by them for education.  Let us discuss these tax benefits. Tax benefits on Tuition fee for children You can claim deduction upto Rs. 1.50 lakh every year for tuition fee paid for full time […]...

The encashment of leave is allowed during continuance of the employment as well as on leaving the job as part of full and final settlement. Income tax laws also give concessional treatment for encashment of such paid leaves by employees....

People employed in organised sector and with governments receive gratuity at the time of their retirement/death. Gratuity also becomes payable on termination of services. The gratuity becomes payable only if one has service for continuous five years with the same employer. Though many of your might have received gratuity but most of you ...

We have already discussed the withdrawal facility for three major retirement products- Employee Provident Fund (EPF), Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Pension System (NPS) in previous articles. Now it is logical to understand and discuss the tax implications for such withdrawals....

After having discussed the withdrawal rules for National Pension System (NPS) last week, this let us discuss income tax benefits available for contributions made by you to your NPS account.  Though you can open Tier I and Tier II account under the NPS, the tax benefits are available only in respect of contributions made to […]...

Provident Fund is a product which helps salaried people to accumulate funds while they are earning for the period the income flow stops. So generally it is not supposed to be withdrawn before its maturity and jeopardise one’s retirement. However there are circumstances when resorting to the money accumulated in the provident fund accoun...

Article explains What is an Index Fund, Features of an Index Funds, What is a tracking error and why it is there in the index fund, who should invest in Index Funds and What type of index funds one should invest....

First there was 10% tax on equity share and equity oriented mutual funds schemes (ELSS is an equity oriented scheme) and now the recent increase in the PPF rates accompanied with meltdown in the equity market has created a perception that PPF has become a better tax saving product than ELSS.  Is it really so? Let us […]...

The recent increase in the interest rates on small savings schemes for the current quarter will sooner than later force the banks to increase interest rates offered by them on fixed deposits. With the imminent increase in the fixed deposits interest rates by the banks, the fixed deposits will become a more attractive investment product sp...

Generally Salaried are entitled to various tax benefits and investment avenues to save tax which are not available to self employed. However the government has tried to do the balancing act at some places by providing tax benefits/investment avenue to self employed as well which are not identically similar but are somewhat similar. Let us...

Section 80C of Income Tax Act, 1961 allows you deduction upto Rs. 1.50  lakhs in respect of certain items of investments and expenses.  These  deductions are subject to some restrictions with respect to the persons for whom you can claim these and the lock in period for which you need to hold the investments.  Let […]...

Law Commission has suggested for abolition of the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) as a tax entity. This has stirred a hornet’s nest in the country. Let us discuss in detail what is the exact proposal and what are the consequences if the suggestion finds place in the law book....

Your spouse not only helps you in meeting your social and personal but also helps you in saving income tax as well. There are certain tax benefits by way of which you can enhance you tax savings through your spouse. Let us discuss some of important provisions. Expenses incurred for your children As per the […]...

Article discusses Expenses incurred by An Assessee for his Sibling for which he can claim Tax Benefit under Income Tax Act, 1961 and includes Tax Benefit in respect of Leave Travel Assistance (LTA), Interest on education loan, Medical expenses incurred for medical treatment of siblings with disability and Exemption of gifts received. Sibl...

Almost all of you must have heard the stories of many drivers, office assistants and secretaries of Infosys becoming millionaire. This all could become possible due to a system of making such stakeholders as stockholder of the Company by granting them what is generally known as ESOP( Employee Stock Options Plan)....

There is a misconception among people that an HUF can come into existence only if it owns any assets. An HUF and HUF assets are two different concepts. It is not necessary that an HUF should have an asset for coming into existence. There may be situation where an HUF exists on the basis of existence of persons but it may not own any asse...

After my article on tax benefits available to a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) some of my friends have requested me to write more on the legal aspect of the HUF. This article deals with the legal aspect of an HUF....

Being a separate tax entity an HUF enjoys certain tax benefits along side the individual also claming it which I am going to explain this article....

Here I have covered items of incomes which are taxable, but unknowingly we tend to ignore, thus remain unaccountable in our return of income due to sheer ignorance. But it is important to take these into account to make your life easier....

In case you sale a property booked by you before you you take the possession, the profits made on such sale will depend on the time interval between your date of booking the property and the date of agreement to transfer your right in the under construction property. In case the interval is not more than 24 months, the profits so made sh...

I thought of making you aware of the last minute dos and don’ts so that you hit the bull’s eye in single shot whYour Income Tax Return returns. Even if you are not filling your Income Tax returns this July (Date now extended to 31st August 2018), you should have a look at the facts you need to verify....

This being the first quarter of the financial year, it is important, for all the people who want to receive interest without deduction of tax, to submit form no. 15G and 15G immediately to the banks Recently the in respect of particulars to be furnished and how to furnish these forms have been substantially amended. Let us discuss as to...

Articles explains What are the due date of Filing Income Tax Return (ITR) and what happens if one fails to file the Income Tax Return (ITR) by the due date...

While filling up the ITR forms certain mistakes are committed by by us due to oversight. Let us discuss 5 such mistakes which relates to Email ID and mobile Number, Details for refund bank account, Details of TDS as well as advance tax and self assessment tax, Schedule CG of capital gains and Foreign bank […]...

Based on my conversation with my friends who are salaried I gather the impression that majority of the employees are under the impression that they are not required to file any ITR if appropriate income tax has been deducted from their salaries. Most of them take deduction of tax at source as filing of the ITR by the employer....

The income tax return season is in full swing with 31st July approaching fast. While filing the income tax return salaried people only provide copy of the form No. 16 to the person preparing his income tax returns without any further details. ...

Most of us must have borrowed at some point in life whether it is friendly borrowings from friends and relatives or whether it is a home loan from a financial institution. In this article, I shall discuss the tax benefits available in respect of such loans....

Different forms are required to be used for filing your ITR depending on whether you are a resident or not and what are the sources of your income. There are ITR 1, ITR 2, ITR 3 and ITR 4 which can be used by individuals. Who can use ITR 1 (popularly known as Sahaj.): This […]...

Many of us keep our money either with banks or with cooperative credit societies, be it in fixed deposits or recurring deposits or in saving accounts. Not only this, we also invest in various Government run schemes like NSC, PPF and Senior Citizen Saving schemes. While making these investments everyone wants to plan these investments in ...

In order to detect cases of disproportionate assets owned by a taxpayers as compared to his known sources of income, the income tax department wants taxpayer with income over 50 lakhs to report various assets and liabilities in Income Tax Return (ITR). The requirement of Disclosure of assets in the ITR was implemented in 2016 […]...

Income tax laws allow you various benefits in respect of amounts spent or invested. Primarily these tax benefits are available for amounts spent or invested on yourself but for certain items, the benefits are available for amounts invested or spent on family members. ...

Section 80 C provides for deduction of upto Rs. 1.50 lakhs in respect of life insurance premium along with various other items. For Life insurance premium the deduction can be claimed even where the payments are made for your children. ...

Though investing in equity through mutual funds via Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is getting pace of late, mutual fund houses have been vary of the investor discontinuing the SIP when the market corrects or is volatile. So to ensure that the investors do not discontinue SIP, the mutual funds are offering free life insurance cover in...