When submitting house rent allowance receipts, claiming that you pay rent to a close relative like parents, siblings or spouse, ensure that you have supporting documents to substantiate it.

Chirag Gupta, who trades in futures & options, had made a profit of Rs 6 lakh, but...

If you are travelling internationally in the next two months, it's a good time to exchange your currency.

Do you know you can invest in funds to donate money for a good cause?

The Supreme Court has introduced the Middle Income Group Legal Aid Society, where the lawyer's fees are capped. But there are certain conditions, reports Tinesh Bhasin.

Don't fret, says Tinesh Bhasin.

At face value of Rs 2,893 and interest payout of 2.5 per cent, sovereign gold bonds offer best route to invest in yellow metal, says Tinesh Bhasin

In the Budget, the government has banned cash transactions above Rs 300,000. This means that people will have to pay stamp duty and registration charges on the actual cost of transaction.

Balanced funds are suitable for investors who have low-risk appetite or are new to equities.Those with more than seven-year investment horizon should look at funds that have higher equity exposure.

With big data analyses, your investments, spends and big purchases are being tracked more closely now by the income tax department.

'To ensure you remain with the better performers, you need to consistently monitor your MF portfolios and weed out the non-performers, even if they are from a star fund manager or a fund house with a sound record.'

An investor would pay much less when he invests through a registered investment advisor than a distributor.

Taxation has played spoilsport despite double digit returns.

The government has made employers responsible for verifying whether the claims filed are according to the law. Earlier, companies went only by self-declaration of employees.

Electronic transactions are rising fast, so are cases of payment failure and delayed settlement. One needs to be proactive.

Over a five-year period, the benefit of a sharp drop in interest rates would mean saving Rs 76,880 -- a significant number. But if the rate cuts are slimmer, say 25 bps or the number of years left is barely one or two years, shifting may not make too much sense.

'Everyone is still trying to understand the quantum of impact demonetisation will have on the economy.'

A combination of ELSS or PPF with a term plan offers better coverage and returns

If you are making any drastic changes, make sure there is adequate documentation

Even if the government didn't plan for demonetisation properly, it could have taken steps on a war footing later to ensure the situation improves.