A reader says, ” This is concerning the article titled: Is 87A rebate applicable for capital gains after budget 2025. It mentions that the rebate is available for LTCG – Debt funds – special rates for FY 2024-25. However, the calculator on the income tax department website does not provide the rebate. This is for…

AIF means any fund incorporated, which is a privately pooled investment vehicle that collects funds from sophisticated investors, for investing it following a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors. These are governed by the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012. There are three categories of AIFs. About the author: Manmohan Sethumadhavan is a…

Unit Linked Insurance Policy is a life insurance policy that has components of both investment and insurance and is linked to a unit as defined in regulation 3(ee) of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Unit Linked Insurance Products) Regulations, 2019, governed by section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act 1961. About the…

Previously, taxpayers could file belated returns up to two years from the end of the relevant assessment year without incurring any penalties other than interest, except that these returns did not allow carry forward of losses. The period for filing belated returns was reduced to one year and then further restricted to the end of…

Background of the case: For the financial year 2023-24, a rebate of Rs. 12,500 was available under Sec.87A for the old regime and Rs. 25,000 for the new regime. However, from July 5 onwards, this rebate was not made applicable to special rate incomes in the new tax regime, following a software update. Budget 2025…

We have released a free New Tax Regime (new slabs) vs Old Tax Regime Calculator after Budget 2025. We now discuss FAQs. 1. Is income up to 12L or 12.75L tax-free? Both. It is 12L for non-salaried and 12.75L for salaried employees, including the standard deduction.  2. Does this mean 12L is the new tax-free…

NPS Vatsalya is a contributory pension scheme regulated and administered by the PFRDA for all minor Indian citizens. Just like PPF, the account will be opened in the name of the minor and operated by Guardian with the minor as the sole beneficiary. Read our earlier review: What you need to know before considering NPS Vatsalya…

Budget 2025 has further reduced the tax burden in the new tax regime. Use this free calculator to compare the old and new tax regimes (calculations for past new tax regime slabs are also available). This comparison table was originally prepared by Vinay Vittal, modified by Balasubrahmanyan, and then by me after budget 2024. This…

We find out what percentage of our income we pay as tax in the new tax regime. Take, for example, a salaried tax-payer with an income of Rs. 11 Lakhs. After accounting for the standard deduction of Rs. 75,000, the net taxable income is Rs. 10.25 Lakhs. We will not consider any other deductions (like…

In response to our article, Real Estate Taxation Example After Finance Bill 2024 Amendment, a reader asks, “Does the Financial Bill clearly mention that for capital gains taxation at the new 12.5% rate, the cost of acquisition for the property will be the value of the property on April 1, 2001 and not the actual…

A reader says, “I’m 45 and have reached 60:40 Equity: Debt portfolio. I have 15 more years of service and don’t plan to take Early retirement. My target corpus has not yet been reached. I have invested in NIfty 50 and NIfty Next 50 for equity, PPF, NPS, and gilt funds for long-term equity and…

Tax expert Manmohan Sethumadhavan has prepared a downloadable comprehensive capital gains taxation rules ready reckoner for freefincal readers based on the amendments to the Finance Bill 2024. When the budget was presented on 23rd July 2024, it was immediately apparent that the wording obscured the complexity of the changes to capital gains taxation. The following…

Budget 2024 clarified the definition of a specified mutual fund. This definition will be applicable from 1st April 2025. What about the change in taxation rules? When do they come into force? According to Finance Bill 2024 (as passed by the Lok Sabha on 7th Aug 2024), “‘(ii) “Specified Mutual Fund” means,–– (a) a Mutual…

Many readers keep asking variants of this question: How should I design my fixed-income portfolio after Budget 2024? The answer is quite simple. Always follow a simple thumb rule: Saving tax is NOT a priority. Diversifying portfolio risk is THE number one priority. This has to be done regardless of tax rules. So we do…

Taxation on Sales of Real Estate Bought Before April 2001 requires more clarity from the government. Update:  Finance Bil 2024 has been amended. Taxpayers can now choose either 12.5% without indexation or 20% with indexation, whichever is lower for LTCG on property. Are indexation benefits available for selling properties purchased before 1st April 2001? Our…