Your Money

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

Dividend yield funds suit moderate-risk investors seeking lower volatility

These schemes invest in high-dividend stocks to cushion downside volatility, but they can underperform growth-oriented equity funds during strong bull market phases

Silver rally: Unwinding of premiums, profit-taking could trigger correction

New investors should enter gradually, invest with a 5-10 year horizon, and cap exposure at 5-7 per cent of the portfolio

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

Zero-coupon bonds: For investors targeting specific, long-term goals

These bonds could prove risky for investors who might need to exit early

Invest in NPS Vatsalya if you have a long horizon and can forgo liquidity

The scheme may not suit investors who want liquidity, are targeting short- to medium-term goals, or are uncomfortable with equity volatility

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

Tackling portfolio overlap: Invest fresh money in underrepresented segments

When building a portfolio, diversify by market cap, style, and geography to minimise chances of overlap