All stories by Harsh Roongta
Why this is the best time to buy low-cost house
Rediff.com7 Aug 2017Provisions of RERA, subsidy under PMAY and relaxation in PF withdrawal to buy a house will aid affordable housing, points out Harsh Roongta.
How high bank charges hurt us
Rediff.com24 Jul 2017Some of their tactics would put a snake oil salesman to shame, says Harsh Roongta.
Want to withdraw your PF to buy a home?
Rediff.com3 Jul 2017It's such a well-kept secret that even well-heeled financial planners aren't aware of it, says Harsh Roongta.
What you need to do to get the best home loan?
Rediff.com12 May 2017Which is the best home loan? Advice from financial guru Harsh Roongta.
WARNING: Credit card default is costly
Rediff.com23 Jan 2017Do not game the system to run away from repaying the money you owe to the credit card company.
STOP! Do not tear that counterfeit note
Rediff.com23 Dec 2016'The counting machine beeped, indicating a counterfeit note.' 'When the teller started tearing it, my nephew stopped him and asked him: Under whose authority was he destroying it, how did he know that the note was fake and if a genuine note gets destroyed, how will he be compensated?' Harsh Roongta explains the process if you have a counterfeit note.
Will Modi target gold and real estate next?
Rediff.com12 Dec 2016Speculation is rife that the Centre can take draconian steps such as mandatory e-passbooks for all real estate holdings and compulsory checking of every single safe deposit vault.
If you find a bag of money on the road, don't pick it!
Rediff.com24 Nov 2016'Many theories are doing the rounds on how to declare unaccounted income.'
'One of the more interesting ideas I have heard,' says Harsh Roongta, 'is that the tax payer can state that he found the currency notes in a bag on the street.'
Go only for finished flats till May 2017
Rediff.com29 Sep 2016After coming into effect, the Real Estate Regulation Act will ensure that developers are unable to take home buyers for a ride
The real story behind delayed tax refunds
Rediff.com15 Sep 2016Prompt refunds have been made for small amounts. For larger amounts, time has been sought till March 2018
Can only the rich do social good? Not really
Rediff.com18 Jul 2016A lot of people are hesitant to use this route because of the heavy turnover of these assistants.
Problems for NRIs remitting salary to India
Rediff.com4 Jul 2016Interest on NRE accounts is tax-free, but the I-T department creates hurdles to tax these accounts.
Should you opt for National Pension System?
Rediff.com23 May 2016On maturity, 40 per cent of the accumulated corpus can be withdrawn tax-free.
Akshay Tritiya: Does it make sense to buy gold?
Rediff.com9 May 2016Look at gold bonds or gold monetisation scheme instead of buying physical gold
Pension reforms: Govt has failed to do its homework
Rediff.com25 Apr 2016The government has not done its homework or made any attempt to forge a consensus on this matter that affects millions of people in the organised sector, says Harsh Roongta.
MCLR: Will it bring down rates for borrowers?
Rediff.com11 Apr 2016Banks will introduce hybrid home loans with stiff penalty on prepayment and shifting.
NPS and EPF should get same tax benefits
Rediff.com14 Mar 2016The 40 per cent exemption benefit is applicable only for employees.
Will tax simplification actually happen?
Rediff.com15 Feb 2016The government has become used to accounting for TDS as its income even though it knows a significant portion needs to be returned as refund
Why tax sops under Section 54 are money-launderer's delight
Rediff.com28 Dec 2015Section 54 provides a tax-free method to convert unaccounted money into accounted money, says Harsh Roongta.
Will new base rate calculation help borrowers?
Rediff.com7 Dec 2015If you are one among the millions of existing borrowers who are paying a higher interest rate compared to new borrowers of the same bank, make your shift now, before prepayment charges make it more expensive.