Guides
Indian tax + finance,
plain English.
Short reads. Cited. No fluff.
Why your April 2026 salary felt smaller
Same CTC, less in hand. The Wage Code pushed your basic up; EPF rose with it. Here's the ₹2,400/mo math and what to do.
New regime is default in 2026 — should you opt out?
If your rent + 80C + 80D add up, the Old regime can still save you ₹15K–50K/yr. How to figure out, and how to switch.
EPF jumped ₹2,400/month — what to do with it
Reframe: it's not a salary cut, it's deferred compensation at 8.25% tax-free. Adjust your goals, audit your VPF, move on.
Section 80C, in plain English
What 80C covers, ELSS vs PPF vs EPF, and how to actually max the ₹1.5L cap.
HRA exemption — when, how much, what to do if you live with parents
How to compute the lower-of-three formula, document rent paid, and avoid scrutiny issues.
NPS — the ₹50,000 most salaried professionals miss
Section 80CCD(1B) gives you an extra ₹50K deduction over and above 80C. Here’s the catch.
ITR filing deadline 2026 — what salaried filers need to know
July 31 deadline, late filing penalty, what counts as “belated,” and how to file without panic.
SIP vs RD — which one for your goal horizon?
Education-only breakdown of when fixed deposits and recurring deposits beat equity SIPs, and when they lose.