Sanjeev Sinha

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

Updated return: Found omissions after Dec 31? File ITR-U to cut legal risk

Scrutiny may extend to other assessment years if disclosures suggest a pattern of non-compliance

Small-cap index at 8-month low: Take staggered, long-term fund exposure

Keep allocation measured and aligned to your risk appetite, given the segment's higher risk

Co-borrowers must be co-owners and contribute to EMIs to claim tax benefits

The deduction claimed must be in proportion to their ownership share and actual EMI contribution

Align tax saving with your financial goals, horizons, and liquidity needs

Begin making these investments now, based on informed choices, instead of waiting till the last moment when mistakes are more likely

Life insurance mis-selling: Review benefit illustration, premium table

Beware of comparisons with FDs, and demand that all promises be put down in writing