
China’s cutthroat competition hasn’t been lost with the slowdown
My six-hour high-speed train ride from Beijing to Shanghai one afternoon last week felt like a WeWork on wheels. In a packed, second-class train car of about 90 people, many were working on laptops and chatting on business phone calls. When I arrived in Shanghai around 8 p.m., there was a line with a 15-minute…

Are Gilt Mutual Funds less risky? Is it the right time to invest in them?
In the last few years, we have realised the importance of not just investment but also early investments. And while the market is full of investment tools, including mutual funds, we can’t deny the risk involved. Proper research is imperative before we invest our hard-earned money anywhere. Among the options is the Gilt Fund, a…

Have funds but not paying loan? Here’s what the Reserve Bank of India does with willful defaulters
Taking a loan has become a cakewalk these days where a number of banks allow you to get instant funds through mobile applications. Borrowing requires adequate planning so that you are able to repay the amount and do not face any penalties. One may sometimes fail to repay the loan due to unprecedented situations like…

Retirement Planning: How can senior citizens maximise their earnings through mutual fund investments?
Retirement planning should include a blend of investment options that would enable you to generate optimum retirement income or build a substantial retirement corpus. Some of the most popular investment options for retirement planning include equity, mutual funds, fixed deposits, and government schemes. While FDs and government schemes offer lower returns, investing in mutual funds…

Retirement Planning: These mutual funds have emerged as the best pension funds in 2023
Mutual funds can serve as a great option for investments aimed at retirement retirement planning as they offer lucrative returns. In 2023, pension funds recorded year-to-date returns of more than 26 per cent. Those planning for retirement should consider investments like mutual funds to generate higher returns over time. Source link

Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF): High-interest rate, tax rebate under 80C, and other benefits
We all know about the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), a tax-saving financial instrument provided by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation. Through this scheme, both employees and employers make an equal contribution of 12 percent to the EPF account, which accumulates over time and is returned at the time of retirement. While employees can make a…

Instant e-PAN: I don’t have a PAN card. Can I get it instantly?
One of the most vital documents for every Indian citizen, the Permanent Account Number or PAN Card is a distinctive 10-character alphanumeric code that is provided by the Income Tax Department. From opening a bank account to depositing taxes, PAN cards have become mandatory for everyone and also serve as a one-of-a-kind identifier for taxpayers…

I-T department asks taxpayers to respond to intimation of past tax demands for faster refund processing
As many as 7.09 crore returns have been filed for income earned in 2022-23 fiscal. Of these, 6.96 crore ITRs have been verified, of which 6.46 crore returns have been processed as on date, including 2.75 crore refund returns. The Income Tax Department further said it is making every effort to complete the processing of…

How you can maximise your mutual fund returns? Read to know some tricks
Financial goals can be both long-term and short-term. These goals are usually achieved by proper investments, starting at an early age. While looking for investment options, one needs to conduct thorough research and comprehend the fund’s approach before investing. When talking about future investments, mutual funds are one option that can be considered for a…

VPF vs EPF: What is the difference? Which one will give you a higher interest rate?
The Employees’ Provident Fund and the Voluntary Provident Fund serve as one of the essential tools for retirement income. While contributing to EPF is mandatory, you can choose to contribute towards a VPF account for higher savings. The VPF serves an extension of the EPF scheme. Source link