I have a question that am stuck with. I filed my return for FY 2019-20 (AY 2020-21) last year. There was a net taxable amount I had to pay, which I did before filing the return. While paying that online, I paid the challan under the Minor Head “300 - Self Assessment Tax, instead of the Minor Head “400 - Tax on Regular Assessment. This reflects in my 26AS for the correct AY.

My IT return got processed yesterday and I just got a notification of 143 (1), where this amount was NOT considered as paid, where the reason quoted is “Challan is not available for the AY”. I wanted to understand two things: 

1. Could paying the amount under 300 - self assessment category be the reason for this? If so, what is the procedure for changing the minor head on the challan? On the tax website, it says to contact the Assessing Officer. If so, how do I reach that person? 

2. If it is not the reason, what else could be the reason for mismatch? 

3. Should I just go ahead the file a rectified return with the same details again? 

Please advise on the next steps. 

Ans: Hello;

Insurance is not a investment.

It is a protection which you buy to safeguard your dependents, financially, in case of any unfortunate event.

Pure term plan with riders for critical illness and accident benefit is optimal.

Ideal life cover should be 15X-20X your annual income.

If you are keen then you may check term plans that offer return of premiums paid(less tax) if you survive the policy maturity period.

Healthcare insurance should be from a company that has:
1. High number of network hospitals throughout the country.
2. Low waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
3. High claim settlement ratio and simple & fast claim settlement.
4. Covers maternity expenses for female members.
5. Sum assured restoration benefit.

Both life and healthcare insurance premium payments are deductible under old regime of income tax.

PPF, NPS, bank FDs are other investment options.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

Request you to kindly rephrase your question.

Thanks;

Ans: Hello;

You can invest in NPS for your retirement planning.

For your other goals you may invest in different type of mutual funds based on your risk appetite and time horizon.

Never mix insurance (pure protection)with investment.

Happy Investing;
X: @mars_invest

Ans: Hello;

Sell any gold which you may have and repay the loan. Once the loan burden is over you can buy gold again later.

Check if you can port the loan to another lender with lesser rate of interest.

Borrow from your close relatives/employer, if possible, to get you over the loan and repay it later.

If the recovery agents are harassing you beyond due follow-up then report it to the Police/RBI.

Please be firm and positive to get over this difficult phase.

However if you feel depressed kindly consult a psychiatrist.

Best wishes;

Ans: Yakub Sir, It would be beneficial to have a conversation with your daughter regarding her interests, strengths, and career aspirations—whether she plans to continue her studies after her BTech or gain experience before pursuing her Masters, either in India or abroad. Certain fields have historically drawn a higher number of female students in India, influenced by societal views, considerations of work-life balance, and available career prospects. Here are a few suggestions: (1) Computer Science Engineering (Core) (2) Computer Science Engineering (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning) (3) Computer Science Engineering (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) (4) Information Technology (5) Electronics and Communication Engineering & (6) Biotechnology / Bioinformatics. Please also make sure that she joins a Colleg where the placements records have been good during the last 3 years. All the BEST for Your Daughter's Prosperous Future, Sir.

To know more on ‘ Careers | Education | Jobs’, ask / follow Us here in RediffGURUS.

Ans: Hello;

6-7 year time horizon for NPS may not be optimal.

Also after 60, you may withdraw maximum of 60% of your investment value while the rest 40% has to compulsorily be utilised to buy an annuity.

Happy Investing;

Ans: Hello.
Have you analyzed your failure in 2 successive attempts in the NEET examination? If yes, then the question is what you have done for improvement and not then again the question arises why not? Here, I would like to suggest you focus now only on the NEET examination which is your 3rd attempt. Don't think about any other options right now till May 2025. After the NEET exam is over, you have ample time to explore the options available. Depending on your score in NEET 2025, we will guide you at that time. But yet, if you are confused, then looking towards your question and anxiety, you need personal counseling where you can express yourself face-to-face. Only after the NEET exam is over, you contact a counsellor for one-to-one counseling. Till then, keep mum and focus only on NEET. Take this exam as your mission and project. Work on this project, apply forces from all sides, success is there which is waiting for you eagerly.
Best of luck for your bright future.

Some tips: (1) Analyse separately Phy, Che, Bio (2) Prepare a list of hard topics (3) First focus more on the topics which are easy for you and then try to excel in hard topics (4) Appear more and more online/offline examinations (4) Prepare your short-cut file for all subjects (5) Prepare a file for each subject having only synopsis of all chapters (6) Try to solve the problems at the lightening speed and observe the period on regular basis (7) Create your time table to revise the topics on regular basis (8) Do not hesitate to ask your difficulties to your teachers, if you have joined to offline classes (9) Keep the habit of marking the answers which you know 100%. Don't guess the answers and mark them, as there is -ve marking scheme. (10) Be calm, quite, and smiling all the time to release the tension and always have a healthy chat with your friends.

If satisfied, please like and follow me.
If dissatisfied with the reply, please ask again without hesitation.
Thanks.

Radheshyam

Ans: 1) Corrections are always temporary, and the growth is real for long term so now the downside is limited.
2) Yes, if you have Rs. 100 start investing Rs.25 and keep adding 25 in every fall.
3) All Blue Chips and then Mid Cap Companies. (Choose quality always)

Ans: Hello;

What is the approx monthly household expenses as on today?

What kind of healthcare benefit will you and your wife get from your employer after retirement?

Do you have a separate healthcare insurance policy for both of you as well as your Mother?

Kindly provide response on the above points so as to recommend suitably.

Thanks;