Sanjeev Sinha

Annual Health insurance review: Tackle medical inflation, upgrade coverage

A 13-14% medical inflation rate makes upward revision of sum insured essential

NPS withdrawal norms: Greater fund access comes with onus to manage risk

Systematic Unit Redemption offers market-linked returns and deferred tax payment, but does not guarantee pension for lifetime

Residential real estate price growth likely to moderate further in 2026

End users should look beyond prime locations to emerging corridors and peripheral micro-markets that offer better pricing without compromising long-term liveability

Belated return: Claim refunds, credits, carry forward house property loss

If you file an updated return later, you will have to pay interest and additional tax, and will not be able to claim refunds

Crypto tax notices: File revised return before assessment, update later

Once search or survey begins, even updated return may not be allowed

Travel insurance: If an airline cancels a flight, it pays, not the insurer

Policies typically reimburse cancellations for reasons such as medical emergencies, death of an immediate family member, or natural disasters

How to protect yourself from unsolicited cards, fraudulent transactions

Follow this complaint escalation path: Bank's grievance cell, ombudsman, consumer commission, and then civil or criminal court

Hiding foreign assets? Black Money Act provisions carry heavy penalties

Tax department warns of penalties, details how to revise returns by December 31 deadline

New labour codes set to restructure pay, which tax regime should you pick?

Take-home pay may dip temporarily, expect retirement savings to rise

Motor accident claims depend on prompt filing, proper documentation

Overstating income or injuries, false implication, or missing hearings and notices can result in rejection

PSU bank ETFs and index funds: Rebalance instead of chasing momentum

New investors should take limited exposure with long horizon

Super top-ups in health insurance: Match deductible with base sum insured

When base and super top-up are from different insurers, the second insurer may offer reimbursement, not cashless

Rigorous due diligence key when buying property via bank e-auctions

While properties can be purchased in such auctions at a discount to market value, they carry the risk of hidden liabilities

Registering property does not prove ownership, verify title before purchase

Lawful possession and an unbroken, valid chain of documents are other pre-requisites before registering a property, else ownership may not be guaranteed

Luxury real estate sees inventory build-up, investors should diversify

End users should prioritise ready-to-move or near-completion projects to avoid project delays due to developers facing liquidity pressure

Use RERA portals for property due diligence before and after purchase

Whether you wish to assess a developer's track record or the quarterly progress of a project, this is the source you should turn to

Health insurance sum insured: Review every 2-3 years to beat inflation

To strike a balance between the need for protection and affordability, combine base policy with super top-up

Educate seniors on digital arrest scams; urge them to seek timely help

Remind elders that genuine officials never demand money or threaten arrests over the phone or video call

Vehicle ownership transfer: Hand over only after submitting Form 29

Seller must ensure the vehicle remains insured during ownership transfer so that any liability is borne by the insurer, as per the Himachal Pradesh High Court ruling

Buy Now, Pay Later: Limit instalments to 10-15% of income, restrict usage

Those with multiple loans, irregular earnings, or poor repayment habits should avoid this form of quick credit