Page 687 - Personal Finance

Taking benefit of free rides the right way

Multiple accounts on the same device or money transferred to mobile wallets from the same card can lead to loss of free credits

Investment strategy for cyclicals

Spread investment across companies so that you are not stuck with entity-specific issues

PMS often better than direct equity investment

However, a mutual fund usually scores over a portfolio management service in transparency, cost and taxation

Health insurance proposals: Some hits, some misses

Option to build a health fund, discount in premia for healthy behaviour and linking premium to retail inflation are some of the suggested changes

Relief for expatriate employees in simplified I-T forms

Foreign nationals in India on business, employment or student visa do not have to report foreign assets

Haven't received your I-T refund?

Go to www.tin-nsdl.com to check the status if you don't get it within 90 days

Market fall: Don't get worked up

Buying good stocks cheaper is a good strategy; staying away will not help make money

After bank rate cut, those with higher EMIs may choose to shift

Cut in banks' base rates translates into an automatic reduction in all floating loans linked to them

RBI's stance might limit gains in duration funds

Those with a horizon of less than 18-24 months could consider shifting to short-term bond funds

ITR forms simplified

While passport number and bank IFSC code of active bank accounts are additional details, travel expenses will not have to be stated

Improve your insurance coverage at nominal cost

Doing so increases the cost but a number of these add-on features make sense

Under new law, Rs 2 lakh penalty for not answering tax authorities' queries

Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 provides for a minimum penalty of Rs 50,000

Not easy to opt out

Whether it is mobile portability or credit card closure, things can be tough. For help, contact the nodal officer or use social media

Case study

Realty check

Insider trading: Employees will have to be more careful

Mutual Fund: Nimesh Shah

Uneven results of a rate cut

A sudden rise in crude oil prices, or a deeper slowdown in China or a recession in America could hurt

Don't get lured by exotic structures

Invest in such products only if a mutual fund or direct equity investment can't do the job

Pay more tax from tomorrow

The new service tax of 14% will jack up costs of shopping, travel, insurance premiums and property purchases