My father passed away last year.He had way back in 2000 invested money in mutual funds.After his death i got the mutual funds transferred in my name.There are few mutual funds for which i am receiving payout which is credited to my saving account and i will add this amount to my total income and pay relevant income tax . There are few mutual funds where as i understand the dividend/profit received is converted into units and added to the existing units is this taxable or i have to pay tax only when i redeem the mutual fund.

Ans: Answer for 1 and 2

Short-term capital gains on redeeming your equity fund units within a holding period of one year are taxed at a flat rate of 15%, irrespective of your income tax bracket. Those funds exceeding one year holding period is treated as a long-term capital gain. The LTCG are exempted from tax up to Rs. 1,00,000 and any LTCG exceeding this limit shall attract a LTCG tax of 10%, and there is no indexation. 

3. Paying capital gains is same as paying regular income tax. You have to go to the Income Tax India website and pay tax using challan ITNS 280.

Ans: If it is growth fund, and the value is appreciating, then no need to pay tax now. Taxability will arise only on withdrawal.

If the fund is in the dividend reinvestment option, then for the dividends reinvested also, you need to pay tax.

Ans: When you redeem mutual funds, you may need to pay taxes. This depends on the type of mutual fund and the holding period.

Equity Funds: Gains from equity mutual funds held for over a year are long-term capital gains (LTCG). LTCG over Rs 1 lakh are taxed at 10%.

Debt Funds: Gains from debt funds held for over three years are long-term capital gains. These are taxed at 20% after indexation. Gains from debt funds held for less than three years are short-term capital gains (STCG). STCG are added to your income and taxed as per your income tax slab.

Hybrid Funds: Taxation depends on the equity and debt components. For hybrid funds with over 65% equity, taxation is like equity funds. Otherwise, it is like debt funds.

Ensure to consult a tax professional for detailed guidance on your specific case.

Investment Plan for Your Children

Investing for your children's future is crucial. Here’s a structured plan for your 17-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son.

Assessing Goals and Time Horizons

Daughter: She will need funds soon for higher education or other expenses. Your investment horizon is short-term (1-3 years).

Son: You have a longer horizon (10+ years) for his higher education and other goals.

Short-Term Investment Strategy for Your Daughter

Since you need funds soon, opt for safer investments.

Debt Mutual Funds: Suitable for short-term goals. They offer better returns than savings accounts and fixed deposits.

Liquid Funds: They are low-risk and provide reasonable returns. Suitable for funds needed in a year or less.

Ultra-Short Duration Funds: These are slightly higher risk but can offer better returns than liquid funds.

Long-Term Investment Strategy for Your Son

You have time to take advantage of the power of compounding.

Equity Mutual Funds: These are ideal for long-term goals. They offer higher returns but come with market risks.

Diversified Equity Funds: They spread the risk across various sectors. Good for building wealth over the long term.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Invest regularly in equity funds. This mitigates market volatility and averages out the cost of investment.

Balancing Your Investments

Regular Monitoring: Review your investments regularly. Adjust them based on market conditions and goal progress.

Diversification: Spread your investments across different asset classes. This reduces risk and optimizes returns.

The Benefits of Actively Managed Funds

Actively managed funds offer several advantages over index funds.

Potential for Higher Returns: Skilled fund managers aim to outperform the market.

Flexibility: Managers can make timely decisions based on market conditions.

Risk Management: Active funds can avoid poor-performing stocks or sectors.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Investing in direct funds has some drawbacks.

Lack of Guidance: You may miss out on professional advice.

Time-Consuming: Managing investments yourself requires time and effort.

Potential for Mistakes: Without expert guidance, there's a risk of making uninformed decisions.

Using Regular Funds with a Certified Financial Planner

Professional Advice: A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide tailored advice.

Better Planning: CFPs help in aligning investments with your financial goals.

Peace of Mind: You get professional support, reducing stress and ensuring better financial health.

Final Insights

Investing for your children's future requires careful planning. Use debt funds for short-term needs and equity funds for long-term goals. Regular monitoring and professional advice will help you achieve your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Income Tax is paid on the Income earned, may be from any source. If we go after your argument, then why business men should pay tax on their business income.
Dividend is your additional income from investments, hence it shall be taxed.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.