Tax
Section 80C deductions: complete list for FY 2025-26, what qualifies, and how to use the ₹1.5 lakh limit
31 May 2026·8 min read
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The first crore is the hardest. Start here.
Tax, investing, salary, insurance and credit — in plain English, for young Indians who earn well but haven't had time to figure out where it all goes.
◆ FeaturedThis WeekTopical
This week: TDS on salary explained, June 15 advance tax deadline, and ITR filing is open
New article on TDS under Section 192 — how your employer calculates the monthly deduction and the job-switcher trap. Plus: advance tax first instalment is due June 15, and ITR filing for FY 2025-26 is now open with a July 31 deadline.
31 May 2026 · 3 min readRead →
Recent articles
All articles →Salary
Gratuity calculation in India: formula, eligibility, the 5-year rule, and what you will actually receive
Gratuity = (basic salary × 15 × years of service) ÷ 26. At ₹50,000 basic after 10 years that is ₹2.88 lakh. This guide shows the exact formula, how the 5-year rule is counted (and why 4 years 8 months often qualifies), what counts as basic salary, and four worked examples.
31 May 2026·7 min read
Tax
TDS on salary: how your employer calculates it, why you might be overpaying, and how to fix it
Your employer deducts TDS under Section 192 based on a projection of your annual salary. If you haven't submitted investment declarations (Form 12BB), they assume no deductions — and deduct far more than you owe. This guide explains the exact formula, the job-switcher trap, and how to verify and recover excess TDS.
25 May 2026·9 min read
Investing
How SIP compounding actually works: the real maths, the inflection point, and why the last 5 years matter most
At ₹10,000/month for 25 years, the final 5 years add ₹90 lakh to your corpus — 3x more than all 25 years of contributions combined. This guide shows the actual SIP formula, the lifecycle table at 10%, 12% and 14% CAGR, and the inflection point where compounding overtakes your contributions.
24 May 2026·8 min read
Salary
What is EPF and EPS: where does your employer's 12% go and how does the split work?
Your employer's 12% PF contribution is not all going to your EPF account. ₹1,250 every month goes to the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) for your retirement pension. This guide explains the exact split at five salary levels, what EPS pension you'll actually receive, and how EDLI insurance works.
24 May 2026·7 min read
Investing
Capital gains tax on mutual funds in India FY 2025-26: STCG, LTCG, and what changed after Budget 2024
Budget 2024 changed equity fund STCG from 15% to 20% and LTCG from 10% to 12.5%. Debt fund indexation is gone. This guide explains the rules for every fund type with worked examples, the SIP holding period trap most investors miss, and how to report it all in your ITR.
24 May 2026·9 min read
Insurance
Term insurance vs endowment vs ULIP: what they cost and what you actually get
All three give you life cover. Beyond that, the maths diverge sharply. At the same ₹1 lakh annual premium, term insurance plus an equity SIP builds approximately ₹2.59 crore over 30 years. An endowment plan at the same premium builds approximately ₹64 lakh, with 6x less life cover throughout.
24 May 2026·9 min read
Credit Cards
How credit card interest works in India: the minimum payment trap, APR, and what it costs you in rupees
At 42% APR, a ₹1 lakh credit card balance costs ₹3,500 every month — and if you only pay the minimum, you'll still owe ₹40,000 after 5 years having paid nearly ₹2 lakh. This guide shows the exact maths of the minimum payment trap and how to clear credit card debt efficiently.
24 May 2026·8 min read
Credit Cards
Best credit cards in India 2026: cashback, travel, and fuel cards compared for salaried employees
Most credit card comparisons rank by headline reward rate. That number is misleading. This guide compares cashback, travel, and fuel card archetypes by effective annual benefit at three spend levels — the number that actually determines whether a card is worth it.
24 May 2026·9 min read
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