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.
India Finance News: 4–10 May 2026
EPFO 3.0 lets you withdraw PF via UPI by end of May. ITR filing is open with a key change to ITR-1. The rupee hit ₹95.43 — what it means for your fuel bill and investments. Plus: SEBI regulates Nifty, 93% of F&O traders lose money.
Recent articles
All articles →New Tax Regime for Salaried Employees: What You Actually Pay
For most salaried employees in India, the new tax regime results in lower or zero tax in FY 2025-26. Here is exactly what you pay at every income level and how to switch.
Index funds vs actively managed funds in India: which gives better returns over 10 years?
Over 10 years, 60-70% of large-cap active mutual funds in India underperform their benchmark index. The math behind why — and what it means for how you invest.
Standard Deduction in New Tax Regime: ₹75,000 for Salaried Employees
The ₹75,000 standard deduction is now available under the new tax regime too. Here is exactly how it works, who qualifies, and how it affects your take-home.
Why your basic salary percentage affects your EPF, HRA, and gratuity more than the number itself
A higher basic looks better on paper, but it means more EPF deduction, more gratuity obligation, and a bigger HRA calculation base. Here is the complete trade-off.
New Tax Regime Deductions You Can Still Claim
The new regime removes most deductions but not all. Here are the deductions you can still claim — including standard deduction, employer NPS, and family pension relief.
EPF vs PPF vs NPS: which retirement savings option is better for salaried Indians in FY 2025-26?
EPF is mandatory, PPF is safe and guaranteed, NPS gives the extra ₹50,000 deduction. Here's how all three work, what they return, and how a salaried Indian should think about using all three together.
New Tax Regime vs Old Tax Regime: Which Is Better for You?
A direct comparison of new and old tax regimes for FY 2025-26. The answer depends entirely on your deductions — here is how to find out which saves you more.
If my CTC is ₹20 LPA, how much will I get in hand?
A CTC of ₹20 LPA does not mean ₹1,66,667 a month. Here is the exact breakdown of what gets deducted — PF, gratuity, income tax — and what lands in your account.
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