Posts

Tax-Saving Battle: ELSS vs PPF vs ULIP vs NPS — Which Investment Truly Builds Bigger Wealth?

Image
 Building long-term wealth is not just about saving money; it is about placing your money where it grows the most after tax . India offers several tax-saving instruments, but choosing the right one can be confusing, especially when each product promises benefits in different ways. If you are planning to invest ₹1.5 lakh per year for 15 years , four popular options usually come to mind: ELSS — Equity Linked Savings Scheme PPF — Public Provident Fund ULIP — Unit Linked Insurance Plan NPS — National Pension System All four qualify for tax deductions under the Income Tax Act, but they differ enormously in returns, risks, tax rules, liquidity, and long-term gains. This article will help you clearly understand: ✔ Which one gives maximum tax savings ✔ Which one creates maximum wealth ✔ Which one suits your financial goals ✔ And which one you should choose for a 15-year investment journey Let’s begin this comparison with a clear mind and practical numbers. 🔍 Why Ch...

Tax Talk: Already Paid Taxes Abroad? Here’s How You Avoid Paying Twice in India

Image
In today’s world, careers are no longer limited by borders. Many Indian professionals now work with global clients, take international consulting assignments, collaborate remotely with foreign companies, or receive income for technical services from abroad. While the earning potential becomes exciting, there is one challenge most people don’t think about at first: taxation in multiple countries . You may earn income in another country, that country deducts tax from your payment, and then India taxes the same income again when you file your Income Tax Return (ITR). This situation is called double taxation , and it can feel unfair — being taxed twice on the same income. Thankfully, India has clear rules to prevent this. These rules fall under Section 90 , Section 91 , and the concept of Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) . 🌍 Why Double Taxation Happens in the First Place When you earn income from a foreign country, two things happen: The foreign country considers it income earned within t...

माता-पिता या जीवनसाथी के साथ जॉइंट अकाउंट खोल रहे हैं? ध्यान रखने लायक 5 ज़रूरी नियम

Image
परिवार के भीतर पैसों का प्रबंधन हमेशा एक संवेदनशील विषय होता है। चाहे आप बुज़ुर्ग माता-पिता की देखभाल कर रहे हों, पति-पत्नी मिलकर खर्च चला रहे हों, या परिवार की वित्तीय योजना साथ में बना रहे हों—बैंक खाते का ढांचा बहुत मायने रखता है। इन्हीं जरूरतों को ध्यान में रखते हुए कई लोग जॉइंट बैंक अकाउंट खोलना पसंद करते हैं। जॉइंट अकाउंट में दो या उससे अधिक लोग एक ही खाते को संचालित कर सकते हैं। इससे खर्चों को संभालना आसान हो जाता है, घर के बिल समय पर चुकाए जा सकते हैं, और जरूरत के समय पैसे तुरंत उपलब्ध रहते हैं। पति-पत्नी अक्सर घरेलू खर्चों के लिए जॉइंट अकाउंट का प्रयोग करते हैं, वहीं वयस्क बच्चे अपने बुज़ुर्ग माता-पिता के लिए भी इसे उपयोगी पाते हैं। लेकिन याद रखें—जॉइंट अकाउंट एक सामान्य बैंक अकाउंट जैसा नहीं है। इसके अपने कानूनी, संचालन और टैक्स से जुड़े नियम होते हैं। अक्सर लोग इन नियमों को समझे बिना अकाउंट खोल देते हैं, और बाद में विवाद, फंड फ्रीज़, उत्तराधिकार संबंधी समस्याएँ या टैक्स की दिक्कतों का सामना करना पड़ता है। इसलिए, जॉइंट अकाउंट खोलने से पहले यह जानना बहुत जरूरी है कि यह कैस...

Do Classic Money Rules Still Work in a Digital World? The Truth Behind the Rule of 72, 50-30-20 & More

Image
In today’s tech-driven world, investing no longer requires visits to banks, paperwork, or long queues. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can buy stocks, track mutual funds, automate investments, and grow your wealth. But with everything moving so fast and financial products evolving every year, a big question arises: Are the old, decades-old money rules still relevant today? According to tax and investment expert Balwant Jain , the answer is a strong yes . “Even in today’s changing financial landscape, the classic investing rules remain relevant,” he says. “While markets, products, and technologies have evolved, the core principles of disciplined saving, diversification, and long-term investing never go out of style.” In other words, even though apps and algorithms have changed how we invest, the basics of personal finance are still the same. Good habits, discipline, and smart planning never get outdated. Below, we explore eight timeless money rules —explained in an e...

The Rising Menace of Mule Accounts: How Criminals Exploit Bank Customers — and How You Can Stay Safe

Image
Digital banking has transformed financial transactions, making them faster and more convenient than ever before. But as technology advances, so do the techniques used by fraudsters. One of the fastest-growing tools in the world of cybercrime is the mule account — a seemingly normal bank account that becomes a gateway for illegal money movement. India has recently seen a surge in mule account activity, highlighted by the arrest of a private bank manager in Mumbai by the CBI. The manager had allegedly helped open several mule accounts in exchange for bribes. This incident shines a spotlight on a dangerous reality: cybercriminals are building large networks of mule accounts, and many people — knowingly or unknowingly — are becoming part of these illegal chains. This article breaks down everything you need to know in clear, simple language: what mule accounts are, how criminals operate them, why people fall for such scams, and how to safeguard yourself. What Is a Mule Account? A mule...

ज़रूरतें बनाम इच्छाएँ: एक आसान वित्तीय सबक जो आपकी बचत की सोच बदल सकता है

Image
पैसे को सही तरह से संभालने की बात आती है, तो लोग अक्सर जटिल तरीकों, विशेष निवेश सलाह या कठिन रणनीतियाँ खोजते हैं। लेकिन सच यह है कि एक बेहद सरल-सा नियम आपकी पूरी वित्तीय सोच बदल सकता है— ज़रूरतों (Needs) और इच्छाओं (Wants) के बीच का फ़र्क समझना। यह विचार भले ही बुनियादी लगे, लेकिन यही समझ आपकी बचत, खर्च और भविष्य की योजना को बदल सकती है। चाहे आपकी कमाई कम हो या अधिक, यह छोटा-सा सबक आपकी आर्थिक स्थिति सुधारने की दिशा में पहला कदम है। इस लेख में हम इसे बहुत आसान भाषा में समझेंगे और देखेंगे कि यह एक छोटी आदत कैसे आपके पैसे का भविष्य सुरक्षित बना सकती है। ज़रूरतें क्या हैं? जीवन चलाने के लिए अनिवार्य चीज़ें ज़रूरतें वे चीज़ें हैं जिनके बिना जीवन सामान्य रूप से चलाना मुश्किल हो जाए। ये वे खर्च हैं जिन्हें टाला नहीं जा सकता और जिनके बिना आपकी सेहत, सुरक्षा या कामकाज प्रभावित हो सकता है। ज़रूरतों के कुछ सामान्य उदाहरण: खाना – रोज़ाना की बुनियादी खाद्य सामग्री कपड़े – ज़रूरी और साधारण पहनावे घर – किराया, होम लोन की EMI, बिजली-पानी जैसे बिल स्वास्थ्य – दवाइयाँ, डॉक्टर के ख...

Nominee vs Owner: Can a Nominee Vote and Act as a Member in a Housing Society After the Owner’s Death? The Law Explained

Image
The death of a flat owner in a housing society often triggers confusion, disputes, and legal uncertainty. Families struggle with questions such as — Who becomes the new member? Can the nominee automatically take over? Does a nominee have voting rights in the society? These are not just emotional matters but legal ones governed by the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 , which lays out precise definitions and procedures. The introduction of Section 154(B) in the 2019 amendment brought long-awaited clarity, yet misunderstandings remain widespread among housing societies. This article breaks down — in simple, professional language — what the law says about nominees , legal heirs , provisional members , and their rights to vote, attend meetings, and participate in redevelopment decisions . 1. The Typical Scenario Let’s consider a common example. A father owns a flat in a cooperative housing society and names his son as the nominee in the society’s records. When the fathe...