NRIs' Gift Reporting in ITR-2 and US Tax Compliance for OCI Holders
Guidance on reporting gifts from relatives in ITR-2 for NRIs and tax filing requirements for US citizens with OCI cards in India, including FBAR reporting.
Banks across India will observe various holidays in August due to regional festivals and national observances like Independence Day, with closures varying by state. While branch services will be unavailable on these dates, digital banking services will continue to operate normally.
Taxpayers claiming exemptions under Sections 54 and 54F often face notices due to overlooking the 3-year rule for CGAS deposits, leading to unintended tax liabilities upon the expiry of the investment period.
A 20-year comparison of Rs 15,000/month investment (5% annual increase) in NPS and equity mutual funds shows NPS offers better tax efficiency but lower returns, while mutual funds provide higher growth potential with more liquidity.
Experts recommend a 3.5-4% withdrawal rate from a Rs 2 crore retirement corpus, yielding Rs 60,000-70,000 monthly, dependent on lifestyle, inflation, and investment strategy.
India's PFRDA introduces a new Retirement Income Scheme (RIS) for NPS subscribers, allowing them to keep savings invested post-retirement. Options like SPR and SUR offer flexible, market-linked income, balancing growth potential with risk management for longer retirements.
PFRDA launches Retirement Income Scheme (RIS) under NPS for systematic payouts from 80% of corpus until age 85, aiming for income stability and corpus longevity. RIS offers phased withdrawals with age-linked asset allocation, but payouts remain market-linked and tax treatment is unclear.
PPF accounts mature after 15 years, offering investors a choice to withdraw or extend in 5-year blocks for continued tax-free compounding. Experts advise basing the decision on individual circumstances, especially post-retirement, considering factors like income sources and liquidity needs. High-income earners benefit from its EEE tax structure, making it attractive compared to taxable fixed-income options.
Experts advise on planning retirement corpus, noting a Rs 2 crore fund may deplete in 20 years with high withdrawals. A bucket strategy allocating funds for immediate needs, stable income, and growth is recommended for sustainable income.
A 2026 ET Wealth-Crisil SIP Study reveals that a 10-year Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) offers a zero chance of loss. Investors with a 4-year tenure have an 80% probability of earning over 10%, highlighting the importance of patience and discipline in mutual fund investments.
A 2026 study reveals that 10-year SIP investors have zero chance of losing money, while 4-year investors have an 80% chance of earning over 10%. The study emphasizes patience and discipline, showing that longer tenures reduce loss probability and stabilize returns, though peak return potential may decrease.
A 2026 ET Wealth-Crisil SIP Study reveals that 10-year Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) eliminate loss probability. Investors with 4-year SIPs have an 80% chance of exceeding 10% returns, highlighting patience and discipline as key to successful investing.
Discussing the critical role of agency in personal finance within households, highlighting the need for financial autonomy, responsibility, and accountability among all members, including women and elderly parents.
With ITR filing utilities now available, taxpayers are advised to wait for complete data reconciliation before filing. Incomplete AIS, pending TDS filings, and delayed financial reporting can lead to mismatches and notices, making accuracy more crucial than speed.
EPFO members must e-sign their e-nominations using Aadhaar authentication for them to be valid. Without this step, family members may face delays in receiving EPF, EPS, and EDLI benefits upon the member's death.
PFRDA introduces new Retirement Income Schemes (RIS) and drawdown options for NPS subscribers, aiming to provide predictable cashflow and extend retirement fund longevity. These changes allow periodic payouts from the lump sum corpus while maintaining mandatory annuity requirements.
Under India's New Tax Regime, salaried employees and pensioners can claim a ₹75,000 standard deduction, employer NPS contributions (up to 14% of salary), and interest deductions on home loans for let-out properties, reducing taxable income.
Small finance banks in India are offering senior citizens fixed deposit interest rates up to 8% for a three-year term on deposits up to Rs 3 crore. Investors can submit Form 15H to avoid TDS if their total income is below taxable limits.
PFRDA proposes significant cuts to NPS grievance resolution times, reducing complaint handling from up to 90 days to a maximum of 30 days. The draft also shifts Level 2 escalation from NPS Trust to PFRDA's Grievance Cell.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), a government-backed scheme, offers high interest rates (8.2%) and tax benefits for girl children. It allows parents to build a significant corpus for education through compounding over its 21-year tenure.
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) offers Indian citizens aged 18-40 a guaranteed monthly pension of Rs 1,000-Rs 5,000 from age 60. Contributions vary by age, and the scheme provides benefits to spouses and nominees upon subscriber death.
Achieve a Rs 2 crore retirement corpus in 20 years by investing a Rs 5 lakh lump sum and a Rs 10,000 monthly step-up SIP. Experts advise consistency, increasing SIPs with income, and annual portfolio reviews for optimal growth.
Withdrawing Rs 1 lakh monthly from a Rs 1.5 crore retirement corpus at 6% annual return lasts 22 years. Experts advise a safer 3-5% withdrawal rate for long-term sustainability, balancing growth, income, and inflation protection.
The National Savings Certificate (NSC) offers a secure, government-backed investment with a 7.7% interest rate. A Rs 1 lakh investment grows to over Rs 1.44 lakh in five years. Tax deductions are available under Section 80C for those following the old tax regime.