Your Money

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

Life-cycle funds: Match goals with tenure, pick glide path for your risk

Wait for greater clarity on how these funds will be taxed at maturity

Forex card breach: Prompt reporting can secure full refund if no negligence

When not travelling, lock the forex card, keep only a small balance, and switch on alerts

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

Bitcoin correction calls for decisions based on risk, allocation, horizon

If you are underweight, continue with systematic purchases

Corporate bond funds: Overlook recent outflows, invest with 3-5-yr horizon

The outflows were due to liquidity tightness and consequent rise in yields, not due to a deterioration in the category's risk-return profile

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

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

Fund managers rebalance MAAFs after run-ups, so stay invested

New investors should consider them for risk reduction, stability and disciplined allocation, not return-chasing

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

All you need to know about RBI's new draft norms to curb misselling

Customers must stay vigilant and avoid falling prey as mis-selling is not easy to prove

Learn about tax rule changes to avoid last-minute confusion during filing

In the tax return forms, more data will come pre-filled, but it should be verified against your own records to avoid mismatches

Financial conflicts among couples: Balance joint and solo accounts

Regular money talks, setting up joint goals, and regular reviews can help couples stay aligned

Secondary home buy? Run a 30-year title search, get encumbrance certificate

For the title to be clean, there should be an unbroken chain of registered documents, with the latest in the seller's name

Correction in IT funds: Avoid hasty exit or aggressive buying on dips

IT funds have declined sharply amid AI-led disruption fears. Experts advise investors to avoid panic exits or aggressive dip-buying and adopt a staggered approach

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

Quality funds: Long-term investors seeking sustainable gains may invest

These funds carry valuation risk and can lag during speculative phases of bull markets

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

Revised return deadline extended to help belated filers, global earners

Bear in mind that substantial changes in a revised return can invite closer examination by tax authorities

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

Debt funds outlook post Budget: Focus bulk of portfolio on 2-4-yr maturity

They offer the sweet spot of reasonably attractive yields without excessive interest-rate risk