We have entered the last quarter of the current financial year (FY25), and you have little time to plan your investments for the current fiscal year. While we at Jarvis Invest help you with shares to buy for the long term, it is equally essential to save taxes by using all the options under the Income Tax Act. To save tax, you need to know different tax-saving investment options. Then, figure out which ones align with your goals and risk profile. In this article, we look at the popular tax-saving investments option.
The Prerequisites
Before you pick your tax-saving investment options, you need to know a few things to better prepare yourself for finding the right product. The first thing is to know your tax bracket – whether you fall in a higher or lower tax bracket. Similarly, between the Old and New Tax regimes, you need to choose one – the new regime may give a lower tax rate for different income levels, but it does come with the loss of certain deductions available in the old regime.
Key Investment Options for Tax-Saving
Under Section 80C, you can invest up to Rs 1.5 lakh and save tax. The tax saved will depend on your tax bracket. If you fall in the 30% bracket and invest Rs 1.5 lakh in schemes that fall in this section, you will save Rs 45,000. This amount gets reduced from your taxable income. Hence, it directly translates to saving.
You can invest in schemes like the National Savings Certificate, Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS), Unit-linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), and many more schemes to claim a deduction under Section 80C.
Let us look at these options in a bit more detail.
Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS): ELSS funds are mutual funds that invest in equity and equity-related instruments. The important point you should know is that they have a mandatory lock-in period of three years. But the good news is that it is the shortest among tax-saving options under Section 80C. The returns are market-linked. Therefore, they offer you the potential for high growth, but they also carry a degree of risk.
Public Provident Fund (PPF): If you are looking for a safe investment option that also helps you save tax, then PPF is your go-to option. Why is this safe? It is because they are government-backed and offer you assured returns and tax benefits. It has a lock-in period of 15 years. However, you can partially withdraw your funds after the 7th year.
National Pension System (NPS): For those looking to plan for retirement and want to save tax now, consider investing in NPS. The NPS is a retirement-focused investment option offering tax benefits under Section 80CCD. Contributions up to Rs 1.5 lakh qualify under 80C, with an additional Rs 50,000 deduction under 80CCD(1B). The funds are invested in a mix of equity, debt, or government securities based on your choice, offering a balance of risk and return.
Tax-Saving Fixed Deposits: Tax-saving fixed deposits are just like any other FD but with a difference – they come with a lock-in period of five years. They offer fixed returns and are relatively low-risk compared to market-linked options.
Unit-Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP): ULIPs combine investment and insurance, allowing you to allocate your premiums between equity, debt, or a mix of funds. ULIPs come with a lock-in period but have a major advantage – they provide tax-free maturity proceeds under Section 10(10D) if you have met all the conditions. ULIPs suit you if you are looking for a mix of insurance protection and market-linked returns.
Life Insurance Premiums: Premiums paid for life insurance policies qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C, up to Rs 1.5 lakh annually. Additionally, the maturity proceeds are tax-free under Section 10(10D), subject to certain conditions. This dual benefit of tax-saving and financial security makes life insurance a fundamental component of financial planning.
Health Insurance (Section 80D): Health insurance premiums offer deductions up to Rs 25,000 annually if you are below 60 and Rs 50,000 for senior citizens. These policies provide financial protection against medical expenses and save taxes, making them essential for managing healthcare costs while ensuring tax efficiency.
There are other tax-saving options that you can explore if the ones we have mentioned do not meet your needs.
Before you go,
By strategically investing in these options, you can reduce your tax liability and achieve long-term financial goals. You should always align your choices with your risk profile, financial objectives, and investment horizon. And what would you do with the saved amount? You can always invest the saved amount, and if you plan to invest in equity, you can get help from the best stock advisors in India.
