Sanjeev Sinha

Old vs new tax regime: Higher allowances, HRA changes warrant a review

Employees whose cost to company includes these components may find the old regime more beneficial this year

Form 121: Aggregate of small incomes shouldn't breach exemption limit

The Income-tax Rules, 2026, mark a major clean-up of the compliance framework

Travel Insurance: Check these things before taking that summer vacay abroad

With flight disruptions rising amid geopolitical tensions, travellers must check insurance coverage, exclusions, and claim conditions carefully before heading abroad this summer

Akshaya Tritiya gold buying: Match consumption, investment with purpose

On Akshaya Tritiya, choose gold wisely-jewellery for sentiment, ETFs and SGBs for returns; verify purity, costs, and tax impact before investing

Housing price growth slows: Developers with high inventory may negotiate

The exuberance seen in 2023 and early 2024 is no longer evident. Elevated property prices have strained affordability and slowed down the pace of transactions

Disclose high-value property gifts, taxable or exempt, in tax return

With high-value immovable property gifts now under SFT reporting, scrutiny will rise, making accurate disclosure of such transactions in income tax returns increasingly important

Motor insurance claims: Small lapses that can lead to costly rejections

Everyday mistakes, from delayed reporting to unauthorised vehicle use, can lead to a claim being denied

Foreign property purchase: Remit own, tax-paid funds via authorised banks

Disclose the property every year under Schedule FA of your income-tax return

Loan guarantors face risks; negotiate cap on liability in loan deed

To protect insurance policies purchased for spouse from recovery proceedings, place it under Married Women's Property Act

New tax law from April 1: What it means for income, filing, and compliance

Taxpayers must be able to distinguish between matters where the old tax law still applies and those where the new one does

Choosing between RERA and consumer court for action against builders, dues

Carefully assess nature of grievance before choosing forum

Women home loan borrowers: Co-borrowers must ensure they are co-owners

Besides enjoying a share in the property, this will make them eligible for tax benefit

File consumer complaint within two years of the last cause of action

Identify correct court for filing complaint based on amount paid for goods or service

Builder-buyer agreements fairer now, yet buyers must scrutinise fine print

Do not skip crucial provisions of the agreement that have a bearing on your interests

Dealing with a tax notice? Correct errors via updated ITR and pay dues

If your claim was genuine, submit documents to back it up

Draft norms for recovery agents seek higher accountability for banks

The earlier defence that misconduct was the agent's independent act may not work in the future

Who is a consumer: Courts focus on dominant objective to determine status

A recent Supreme Court ruling reinforces that developers and service providers must prove profit-first motive before denying consumer status

FAST-DS: Pay fee and gain immunity from harsher Black Money Act

The scheme's key drawback is the low monetary thresholds of Rs 1 crore and Rs 5 crore, which limit participation

Budget 2026 extends immunity to misreporting, but with key trade-offs

The proposal extends relief from penalty and prosecution in misreporting cases, but taxpayers must forgo the right to appeal and carefully weigh the strength of their case

Budget 2026 softens penalty, prosecution norms for individual taxpayers

Budget 2026 signals a shift towards trust-based taxation by easing penalties, limiting prosecution for small and technical lapses