Personal Finance

How safe is it to accept finfluencers' investment recommendations?

If you wish to stay safe, stick to the minority that has a Sebi-registered investment adviser or research analyst licence

How to identify banking SMS scams before they empty your bank account

Verify alerts through official channels, never install files sent by text, and report fraud immediately

July 31 isn't the ITR deadline for everyone: Here's who gets more time

The deadline depends on your income type. Here's who must file by July 31 and who gets another month

Filed ITR early? Last-minute checks could save your refund from delays

Early filers should recheck AIS, Form 26AS, TDS credits and bank details to avoid refund delays or tax notices

Compare forex cards on total costs and complete transparency in charges

A card with zero cross-currency conversion charge will allow you to load US dollars and then spend in any currency without incurring further charges

Income tax notice to a deceased person: How should legal heirs respond?

Legal heirs must bear in mind that the income tax return for the year of death must be filed and tax, if due, must be paid

Income tax notice: Respond with facts and documents, not panic

Verify it, respond within deadline; file revised or updated return if needed

GPF interest rate remains at 7.1%: What it means for govt employees

The Centre has retained the GPF interest rate at 7.1% for July-September 2026. Here's who will benefit and what's changed

Equal-weight funds: Pick broader universe if risk appetite, horizon permit

Beware that funds with higher exposure to mid- and smallcaps are likely to be more volatile

CGHS pensioner cards: How the Bhavishya portal changes the process

Retiring central government employees can now apply for CGHS pensioner cards with less paperwork through the Bhavishya portal

ITR filing isn't complete until you verify your return: Here's how to do it

E-verification is the final step in filing your ITR. Here's how to do it by using Aadhaar OTP, EVC or net banking

Immediate annuities: Multiple options available, weigh trade-offs carefully

Annuitise only essential expenses, retain liquidity and compare payout options and rates before purchase

Sebi eases mutual fund claim rules after death: Key changes explained

Experts say Sebi's simpler norms cut paperwork, but nominations and updated records remain crucial

EPFO 3.0 may bring universal pension for all workers: What changes

The proposed reforms aim to widen pension coverage, allow flexible retirement payouts and include gig workers

Momentum factor funds: Invest only with 5-yr horizon, high risk tolerance

Use them as part of a portfolio containing multiple factor strategies

Momentum funds can see sharp reversals; limit satellite portfolio exposure

Check the underlying index and concentration, and invest for at least five years

How a step-up SIP can help you reach ₹5 crore 4 years sooner | Mutual funds | Personal finance

In this Personal Finance special, we explain how increasing your SIP by just 5% or 10% every year can help you achieve your financial goal up to four years sooner

Passive hybrid funds: Understand index mix, tax treatment before investing

Those who do not understand the underlying equity and debt indices should stay away

Credit cards & Gen Z: Spending should not exceed 20-30% of take-home income

Credit utilisation ratio should remain below 30%

Why senior citizens should consider deductibles in health insurance

Opting for a deductible can reduce premium costs, preserve your no-claim bonus and make health insurance more efficient for meeting large medical expenses