प्रिय श्री तन्ना,</p> <p>आपकी ईमानदारी से राय मांगने से पहले मुझे आईटी कार्यालय के चक्कर में एकल करदाताओं के सामने आने वाली समस्याओं को कम करने के लिए किए जा रहे परोपकारी कार्य के लिए आपको बधाई और सराहना करनी चाहिए। मैं आपसे अनुरोध करूंगा कि आप मेरी समस्या पर गौर करें जो कि बहुत ही जटिल है और आप जैसे व्यस्त लोगों के लिए निराशाजनक भी है।</p> <p>मैं वित्त वर्ष 2020/21 में एलआईसी से सेवानिवृत्त कर्मचारी हूं। वित्त वर्ष 2021/22 में मुझे पेंशन के रूपान्तरण और अवकाश नकदीकरण के साथ वेतन का बकाया प्राप्त हुआ था। नियोक्ता ने 2021/22 के लिए आईटी को अंतिम रूप देते समय धारा 89 के तहत लाभ के बिना कॉम पेंशन, 80सीसी और 80डी के लिए छूट देते हुए आईटी में कटौती की थी। आईटी दाखिल करते समय मैं एआईएस का प्रभाव देख सकता था। 80 टीटीबी को छोड़कर किसी और कटौती के बिना, मैंने 26एएस/एआईएस के अनुसार कुल कर योग्य आय की पुष्टि करने का प्रयास किया।</p> <p>एटीएम सीमा आदि के कारण स्व-मूल्यांकन कर का भुगतान तीन तिथियों पर किया जाना था। अंतिम भुगतान जो 28^th&nbsp;जुलाई को था, सफल नहीं हो सका और था 29^th&nbsp;पर डेबिट किया गया, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप मैं कर भुगतान के ऐड बॉक्स पर CIN नंबर आदि नहीं जोड़ सका। चूंकि कर की कुल राशि का भुगतान अंतिम तिथि यानी 31^st&nbsp; से पहले किया गया था, इसलिए मैंने यह मानते हुए एक अल्प भुगतान वाला आईटीआर जमा किया था कि इसका ध्यान रखा जाएगा।</p> <p>1^st&nbsp;अगस्त को मुझे धारा 143 के तहत 4660/ की मांग के साथ एक संदेश प्राप्त हुआ। ई-फ़ाइल स्थिति दिखा रही थी कि आईटीआर ओ/एस डिमांड शून्य के साथ प्रक्रियाधीन है (चार हरा टिक प्रदर्शित किया गया था)। 30 अगस्त तक^th&nbsp;जब मुझे पता चला कि ऊपर बताई गई शिकायतों के बावजूद ITR स्वीकार नहीं किया गया है, तो मैंने फिर से डिमांड ड्यू विकल्प के माध्यम से शेष राशि का भुगतान किया, वहां भी मुझे उसी समस्या का सामना करना पड़ा। बैंक से. राशि 31^St&nbsp;अगस्त को डेबिट की जा सकती है। मैंने यह सोचकर राशि का भुगतान किया कि आईटीआर और टैक्स जमा अलग-अलग मॉड्यूल हैं।</p> <p>इसके अलावा आईटीआर दाखिल करने के बाद मैंने ट्रांसफर अनुदान की छूट के संबंध में आईटीओ से एक प्रश्न पूछा, जिसे स्रोत पर ही अनुमति दी जानी चाहिए थी। उन्होंने इस बहाने से इनकार कर दिया कि भरने के बाद कोई और छूट नहीं मिलेगी।</p> <p>पिछले देय भुगतान को SAT शीर्ष के अंतर्गत देखने के लिए मैंने एक शिकायत प्रस्तुत की थी जो हेल्प डेस्क से बात करने तक दिखाई नहीं दी थी। धारा 131 (5) के तहत संशोधित आईटी दाखिल करने के लिए बहुत सारे टैग के साथ एक उत्तर आया। जब मैं पुन: फ़ाइल के लिए गया, तो मुझे बढ़ी हुई कर योग्य आय के साथ-साथ ब्याज राशि भी दिखाई दी, जो वापस लौट आई।</p> <p>अब मेरे प्रश्न हैं:</p> <p>1. जब 143 के तहत एक पत्र मांग के साथ जारी किया जाता है तो कर योग्य आय कैसे भिन्न होगी?</p> <p>2. अगर मुझे धारा 131 (5) के तहत आईटीआर दोबारा जमा करना है तो क्या मैं कर योग्य आय को पहले वाली आय तक सीमित कर सकता हूं?</p> <p>3. क्या धारा 143 लागू होने पर वे कर योग्य आय में बदलाव कर सकते हैं?</p> <p>4. अंत में, क्या मुझे क्वेरी का पालन करना चाहिए या तब तक इंतजार करना चाहिए जब तक वे अपनी पिछली मांग को सही नहीं कर देते।</p> <p>महोदय, मैंने इसे किसी पेशेवर की सहायता के बिना स्वयं ही भरा था। आपकी राय अधिकतर उस आईटी वायरस के खिलाफ एक दवा होगी जिसने मुझे परेशान कर दिया है। आपके उत्तर का बेसब्री से इंतजार है।</p>

Ans: With 83% in PCM from a state board, your son meets the 65–70% eligibility threshold for VIT’s Integrated M.Tech programs across campuses (Vellore/Chennai: 70%, AP/Bhopal: 65%), making him eligible for courses like CSE (Data Science) or Software Engineering. Category allocation (1–5) depends on merit-based 12th marks ranking, where higher PCM scores secure lower fee categories. While exact cutoffs fluctuate yearly, 83% typically falls within Category 2–3 (annual fees: ?1.59–1.92 lakh at Vellore), offering moderate fee concessions compared to Category 4–5. Prioritize VIT Vellore/Chennai for stronger academic infrastructure and placement networks, though admission certainty in these campuses requires higher PCM scores (≥85% for Category 1). If budget permits, Category 2–3 in AP/Bhopal provides balanced affordability and program quality, while maintaining backup options in emerging specializations. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: No, Every non-senior citizen taxpayer is required to disclose all the income (including income on which TDS is deducted) in its income tax return.

Ans: All 'Resident and Ordinarily Resident' must disclose all the information about their foreign assets and income in the ITR

Ans: With a VITEEE rank of 42,000, your son’s chances for EEE in VIT Chennai Category 1 are strong as per previous year’s cutoff (~45,000 for EEE Category 1), but not guaranteed, since actual cutoffs can fluctuate due to applicant pool, difficulty, and seat availability. Despite meeting the historical cutoff, he did not secure EEE in Category 1 this year, which suggests increased competition or lower seat availability. The VIT counseling process allows participation in multiple rounds, so he should continue in counseling, monitor seat allotment updates, and keep EEE as a preference in subsequent rounds since seats may open if higher-ranked candidates withdraw. He is also eligible for other branches or higher fee categories if EEE remains unavailable, and should consider backup options at VIT Bhopal or VIT AP, where cutoffs are generally lower. Stay engaged in counseling and be flexible with branch and category choices for optimal results. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: With a 99.3 percentile in JEE Main (expected rank 7,201–8,400), your son can target ECE at NIT Calicut (2024 closing rank: 7,433), NIT Rourkela (5,721), or NIT Surathkal (7,434), alongside Electrical Engineering at NIT Trichy (7,193) and NIT Warangal (11,415). While CSE in top NITs like Trichy (1,245) or Warangal (2,186) is unlikely, newer NITs like NIT Andhra Pradesh (CSE cutoff: ~25,707) or NIT Delhi (AI & DS: 9,377) may offer CSE seats. Prioritize ECE/Electrical in higher-ranked NITs during JoSAA counseling, balancing branch preference with institutional reputation, and include CSE options in emerging NITs as lower preferences. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: With 84% in PCM, you meet the minimum eligibility requirement (70% in PCM) for VIT Vellore’s Integrated M.Tech, but admission is highly competitive and depends on the applicant pool and category selection. Higher categories may increase your chances, but top slots are reserved for the highest scorers. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Prashant, Government colleges offering Aerospace Engineering via JEE Main include IIEST Shibpur (B.Tech in Aerospace and Applied Mechanics) with a 2024 cutoff rank of 15,603–53,043 (General) and NIT Delhi (B.Tech Aerospace Engineering) closing at 17,286 (2024 General). Private institutions like SRM Institute of Science and Technology and Chandigarh University offer aerospace programs but primarily through university-specific exams (SRMJEEE/CUCET), though some consider JEE Main scores for eligibility. VIT Bhopal provides Aerospace Engineering but mandates VITEEE, not JEE Main. For JEE Main-focused options, prioritize IIEST Shibpur and NIT Delhi, ensuring ranks align with historical cutoffs, while exploring private alternatives if scores fall short. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: You have built a solid base with multiple income streams and disciplined investing.

At 40, you are in a strong position to create a secure and abundant retirement corpus.

Your goals are clear:

Repay your home loan in 15 years instead of 20.

Build Rs. 8 crore corpus by age 60.

This plan needs structured action and disciplined execution. Let’s assess everything carefully from a 360-degree view.

Salary and Cash Flow – A Good Start
Your in-hand salary is Rs. 1 lakh per month.

After Rs. 39,000 CPF + VPF and Rs. 28,900 NPS deduction, you save a big portion.

You are already investing Rs. 35,000 in mutual funds.

Equity SIP of Rs. 20,000 shows higher risk appetite.

Miscellaneous expense of Rs. 7,000 is low and controlled.

Overall, your income-to-expense ratio is strong.

There is good scope for maximising returns and building wealth faster.

Home Loan – Strategy to Close in 15 Years
EMI of Rs. 37,000 on Rs. 50 lakh loan is well within limits.

Goal: Close this loan 5 years earlier without stress.

First, increase EMI gradually every year by 5-10%.

Use annual bonuses or salary increments to make part-prepayments.

Even Rs. 1 lakh extra per year can reduce term by 3-4 years.

Review loan structure with lender once in 3 years to get best rate.

Do not stop SIPs or equity investment for loan closure. Balance both together.

LIC Policies – Immediate Assessment Needed
You pay Rs. 1.7 lakhs yearly as LIC premium.

These are investment cum insurance plans.

These offer low returns and poor liquidity.

Surrender policies and reinvest money into mutual funds for better growth.

Get a simple term insurance of Rs. 1 crore for family safety.

This will reduce premium cost and improve overall wealth creation.

This one decision alone can add lakhs to your final corpus.

Direct Mutual Funds – Not the Right Choice
You are investing through direct plans in some mutual funds.

This looks cost-saving but can become risky in long term.

Direct funds do not offer any ongoing guidance.

Market changes are frequent. Without advice, you may exit or switch wrongly.

Wrong timing can damage your entire portfolio.

A Certified Financial Planner with MFD code gives portfolio strategy.

Regular fund investments give peace of mind and better asset allocation.

Charges are marginal but value is high.

Please shift your funds to regular plans through an MFD having CFP credentials.

Index Fund Exposure – Needs Reevaluation
You are investing in Nifty 50-based index fund.

Index funds are low-cost but not always right.

They follow the market passively.

No option to reduce exposure in weak sectors.

No active strategy during corrections or crashes.

Actively managed funds perform better in Indian market conditions.

They provide risk-adjusted returns with more flexibility.

Certified Financial Planners can help select best actively managed schemes.

Avoid depending on index funds for long-term goals.

Your Existing Investment Mix – Analysis
Your investments are well diversified across multiple asset classes.

Let us evaluate one by one:

CPF + VPF Corpus – Rs. 80 lakhs

Very stable and safe.

Good for post-retirement pension-like benefit.

No changes needed.

NPS Corpus – Rs. 18 lakhs

Another strong pillar for retirement.

Tax-efficient and low-cost.

Suggest keeping equity allocation at 50%-60%.

PPF Corpus – Rs. 14 lakhs

Excellent for safe long-term returns.

Tax-free and fixed interest.

Continue till maturity.

Sukanya Samriddhi – Rs. 1.5 lakhs/year

Good for daughter’s education or marriage goals.

Stay invested till maturity.

Mutual Fund SIPs – Rs. 35,000/month

Right asset for long-term wealth creation.

Some funds may need rebalancing.

Mid-cap and small-cap should not cross 30% of portfolio.

Equity Shares – Rs. 18 lakhs

Good wealth-building asset.

High risk, but can deliver higher returns.

Do annual review with a Certified Financial Planner.

Target Rs. 8 Crore at 60 – What You Need to Do
You are now 40 years old.

You have 20 years to build Rs. 8 crore.

Let us look at possible actions:

Continue current SIPs of Rs. 35,000 monthly.

Increase this by 10% every year.

Shift direct funds to regular funds.

Rebalance mid-cap/small-cap exposure to keep risk moderate.

Reinvest LIC surrender value in long-term equity mutual funds.

Keep NPS equity allocation between 50%-60%.

Avoid index funds. Choose high quality actively managed funds.

Use Certified Financial Planner for long-term monitoring.

With this discipline, your Rs. 8 crore goal is very realistic.

Insurance – Only Term Plan is Enough
You are spending Rs. 1.7 lakhs yearly on LIC.

These policies mix insurance with investment.

Returns are around 4%-5% only.

Do this instead:

Surrender LIC policies after checking surrender value.

Buy a pure term insurance of Rs. 1 crore.

Annual premium will be around Rs. 15,000 only.

Invest balance Rs. 1.55 lakhs in equity mutual funds.

This will protect family and create higher wealth.

Tax Planning – Ensure You Don’t Overlap Sections
You are contributing to PPF, CPF, NPS, Sukanya.

All these are eligible under Section 80C and 80CCD(1B).

Ensure not to exceed maximum allowed limits.

Use balance funds for equity mutual funds or debt funds.

Emergency Fund and Short-Term Goals
Maintain 6 months’ expenses in a liquid fund.

Do not mix emergency fund with investments.

Plan separately for near-term goals like car, vacation, etc.

Use short-term debt funds for such goals.

Portfolio Rebalancing – Do it Yearly
Every 12 months, review and rebalance your portfolio.

Reduce exposure in overgrown asset classes.

Adjust between large-cap, mid-cap, and debt.

Track performance with support of Certified Financial Planner.

Exit poor performers and reallocate.

This keeps your goal aligned and risk under control.

Final Insights
You are already on a strong foundation at age 40.

Your income is good, savings rate is healthy, and investments are well spread.

But a few corrections are needed to maximise outcomes.

Shift LIC policies to equity mutual funds.

Avoid direct and index funds.

Work with a Certified Financial Planner for guidance.

Stay invested, increase SIPs yearly, and control unnecessary spending.

Your Rs. 8 crore goal is possible with this roadmap.

Stay focused, track yearly, and adapt as needed.

You are moving in the right direction.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: Sure. You can reach me through the website link given in the signature below.

You need handholding for:

Creating your customised investment plan

Choosing the right mutual funds

Setting up Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP)

Reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio periodically

Ensuring tax efficiency and long-term growth

Look forward to helping you build a stress-free retirement income strategy.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment