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: 11–17 May 2026
SEBI's $7 billion overseas-investment cap is near exhaustion, sending Axis Mutual Fund (and earlier Kotak, Nippon) to halt fresh subscriptions in international funds. ITR-1 and ITR-4 filing opens for AY 2026-27 with a 31 July deadline. EPFO inches closer to UPI-based instant PF withdrawals. Three Must Know, four Good to Know, and links to all 17 articles published on ekcrore this week.
Recent articles
All articles →HRA Exemption in the New Tax Regime: What You Need to Know
HRA exemption is not available in the new tax regime. If you pay significant rent, this is one of the key reasons the old regime may save you more. Here is the full picture.
New labour codes India: how the 50% basic wage rule changes your in-hand salary, EPF, and gratuity
The new Labour Codes require basic salary to be at least 50% of CTC. They haven't been implemented yet — but when they are, your EPF, gratuity, and in-hand salary all change. Here's exactly how.
New Tax Regime Slabs and Rates for FY 2025-26
The complete new tax regime slab table for FY 2025-26 with the Budget 2025 revisions. Includes surcharge rates, education cess, and effective tax at each income level.
Can I pay rent to my parents and claim HRA exemption legally?
Yes — paying rent to parents and claiming HRA is legal under Indian tax law. But there are specific conditions, documentation requirements, and a catch around your parents' tax liability.
Why your employer's group health insurance is not enough: what it doesn't cover and what to buy instead
Your employer's group health cover has five critical gaps — no portability when you leave, room rent sub-limits that cut all your claims, and sum insured too low for a major illness. Here's what they are and what to buy alongside it.
Section 87A Rebate: Zero Tax up to ₹12 Lakh in the New Regime
Section 87A gives you a 100% rebate on income tax if your taxable income is ₹12 lakh or less under the new regime. Here is exactly how it works, including marginal relief.
How is CIBIL score calculated and how to improve it from 650 to 750+ in 6 months?
Your CIBIL score is calculated from payment history (35%), credit utilization (30%), credit length (15%), credit mix (10%), and new inquiries (10%). Here's exactly how to move from 650 to 750+ in 6–12 months.
How HRA is calculated — the three-part formula and when HRA is fully taxable
HRA exemption is the minimum of three amounts — not whichever is largest. Understanding this formula tells you exactly how much of your HRA is tax-free and how much is not.
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