InvestmentKit.com Articles

Recently, the yellow metal was in the news for touching new highs. Those who dislike the volatility of equity markets seem to have a case for investing in gold, if one looks at the recent price movements. The fact is that since January 1, 2006, the price of gold has moved from Rs 7,500 per [...]

When investing money for a year which is a better option – MIP, fixed deposit or FMPs? In this article we give an insight. Fixed deposits: Better than savings account are the other investment options like bank fixed deposits schemes. One can invest in a FD with varying maturities. If he needs certain amount of [...]

Mark Twain’s investment advice — ‘Buy land, they are not making it any more’ — appears to be holding good a hundred years after the American author’s death. Whether it is Mumbai, Delhi, or even some of the smaller tier II cities, like Coimbatore or Jaipur, real estate prices have multiplied manifold over the past [...]

Credit card information is privy and prone to theft. Therefore it is your responsibility to keep it safe from miscreants who may illegally use it and make you pay the price for the same because after all, you are the owner of the card. It is therefore important that precautions are taken so that you [...]

Which is the most precious asset you have to protect this monsoon? Undoubtedly it’s your home. After experiencing several floods over the past few years, water logging in homes has also become a common affair. With monsoon just a few days away, may be it’s time to run for cover. The possibility of your house [...]

It is true that if you cannot manage credit cards responsibly, then its best that they are locked away in a safe place. The dangers of using a credit card recklessly far outweighs its advantages at any given circumstance. However, on the other hand if you are diligent with your money, have a habit of [...]

Wealth managers, fund managers and brokers, we are convinced that everyone is our enemy.  Wealth managers eat commissions, fund managers massage returns, and brokers dole out bad advice.  And while I do agree and write that many investment professionals do things that are not in the interest of the investor, talking to hundreds of clients [...]

So you have identified the house that you want to buy, got the home loan approved and now are ready to own your house. Think its smooth sailing from here onwards? Think again. Once you have completed these formalities, the next part is ensuring that the builder does not entangle you in any legal traps. [...]

“XYZ Scheme is declaring 100% dividend and my distributor is telling me to invest in this scheme” . “This is important information which I have received from my relationship manager that ABC Scheme is declaring a dividend of 50%”. I come across statements like this every now and then where dividends declared by mutual funds [...]

WHO doesn't love the movies? All the action, drama, suspense is great on a 70mm screen. But that is, ideally, where it should remain. The trouble starts when reality echoes the movies. Remember Khosla Ka Ghosla? This heartbreaking story came true for the Rajpal family. The Rajpals bought a house in Goregaon, a northwestern Mumbai [...]

THERE was a time, not too far back, when buying your own home was the culmination of your lifes' work. It was the ultimate dream, your reward for having spent more than 20 years of your life working hard and saving harder. Not anymore. You can buy your home at 25 and we tell you [...]

You can reduce your income tax burden through the interest you pay on a home loan. Under Section 24 of the Income Tax Act, interest paid up to Rs 1.5 lakhs a year on a home loan can be set off against 'loss' from other heads for a self-occupied property. In case the property has [...]

Whenever you invest in a mutual fund scheme, the fund house has to send you a statement providing details of your holding in the scheme. You can opt for a physical copy of the statement, or a soft copy, which can be e-mailed to you and you can access it online. This statement provides information [...]

Life just got better for millions who have ran from pillar to post for years to secure their tax refunds from the income tax (I-T) department. In a landmark ruling, the Central Information Commissioner has passed an order which says information on refunds is covered under the Right To Information (RTI) Act. L Lakshmi Narayanan, [...]

While one endeavors to derive income, the possibility of incurring losses cannot be ruled out. Based on the principles of natural justice, a set-off should be available for loss incurred. The income tax laws in India recognise this and provide for adjustment and utilisation of the losses. However, there are conditions which have been introduced [...]

Retirement is the time when you hang up your boots from the hustle-bustle of daily life, relax, do your own thing. As we say, it’s time to say: “Goodbye tension, hello pension!” Suddenly, from the risk of dying too young, you have transformed yourself to the category where the risk of living too long exists. [...]

Fixed deposits (FDs) are simple instruments, where the earnings are known at the time of making the deposit. But, matching the amount of interest earned on these deposits with the amount received and the tax deducted at source can be tough. CASE STUDY Rajesh invested Rs 100,000, for one-year each in two FDs, in the [...]

We often read or hear about insurance claims being rejected by insurers on flimsy grounds. Sometimes, however, the insured is also to be blamed simply because he/she is found to have made false declarations while taking the policy or failed to go through the fine print before buying one. On a few occasions, complaints about [...]

An individual is taxed based on his residential status in India. The residential status, in turn, is determined based on the physical stay of an individual in the relevant financial year (tax year) as well as preceding ten tax years. This is particularly relevant in respect of Indians working overseas or having income/income earning assets [...]

NEW DELHI: The government is likely to maintain the distinction between short term and long-term capital gains to encourage long-term savings, as it deliberates the draft direct taxes code. The finance minister said in his Budget speech that the new direct taxes law could be rolled out from April 1, 2011. The government is veering [...]