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Will Additional NPS Tier-1 Deposits Affect Tax on Maturity? A Reader Asks

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10810 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 15, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Nov 14, 2024Hindi
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Dear Sir, Please guide that if I deposit some additional funds (over and above my monthly deduction & deposition by Company in NPS as employee contribution) in Tier-1 in my NPS, then whether on maturity of NPS, the 60 % payout to employee (here-in myself) will have any Income Tax implications on the maturity value of this additional funds deposited OR whether there will be Nil Income Tax implications on same. Please guide.

Ans: When your National Pension System (NPS) Tier-1 account matures, the 60% lump-sum withdrawal you receive is currently exempt from income tax under Section 10(12A) of the Income Tax Act, irrespective of any additional voluntary contributions you make. Therefore, both your regular and additional voluntary deposits in NPS Tier-1 enjoy the same tax benefits upon maturity, with no tax implications on the 60% lump-sum payout. However, the remaining 40% directed towards annuity purchase is subject to tax as per your income tax slab when you receive the annuity payments.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Asked by Anonymous - Mar 21, 2025Hindi
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Dear Sir, If I invest in NPS tier 2, do I need to pay tax for the entire amount or just for the interest? Do I need to pay interest every year or at the time of the withdrawal? Please help me how the tax would be calculated. Also suggest if I need to consider any other investment instead of NPS tier 2. Thanks and Regards, Srikanth
Ans: NPS Tier 2 is a flexible investment option. However, it does not have tax benefits like Tier 1. The tax treatment of your investment depends on when and how you withdraw.

Tax on Principal vs. Interest

You do not pay tax on the invested amount.
The entire withdrawal amount, including gains, is taxable as per your income tax slab.
Tax at the Time of Withdrawal

The withdrawal amount is added to your annual income.
You will be taxed as per your income tax slab in that financial year.
Taxation Frequency

There is no annual tax on the interest.
Tax is applicable only at the time of withdrawal.
Limitations of NPS Tier 2
No Tax Benefits

Unlike Tier 1, there are no deductions under Section 80C.
Market-Linked Returns with No Exit Benefits

NPS Tier 2 investments are linked to the market.
However, they do not get the same tax advantages as mutual funds.
Liquidity and Lock-in

There is no mandatory lock-in for regular investors.
For government employees, there is a 3-year lock-in.
Not an Ideal Wealth Creation Tool

Returns are uncertain.
Mutual funds provide better long-term tax efficiency.
Better Alternatives to NPS Tier 2
If your goal is wealth creation, consider these options:

Equity Mutual Funds
They offer long-term wealth growth.
Actively managed funds aim for better returns than passive funds.
Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
Debt Mutual Funds
Suitable for stability with moderate returns.
Gains are taxed as per your income tax slab.
More flexible than NPS Tier 2.
Gold ETF
Good for diversification.
Easy to buy and sell.
Gains are taxed as per your income tax slab.
PPF (Public Provident Fund)
A safe, long-term option.
Completely tax-free returns.
Limited liquidity.
Final Insights
NPS Tier 2 does not provide tax benefits.
The entire withdrawal amount is taxable.
Mutual funds offer better tax efficiency and flexibility.
Equity funds can create wealth over 10-15 years.
Debt funds offer stability with better liquidity.
Consider gold ETF and PPF for diversification.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10810 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 03, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello, I am 30 year old female and am currently suffering because of credit card and app based loans from last three months. The loans amount to 3lakh and my monthly salary is not sufficient. I have considered enrolling with lawyer panel for loan settlement as I am facing harassment from recovery people calling if I miss emi even for two days. Its causing me great distress. I dont want my parents to suffer and also my job. I earn more than 50k per month. Guide me kindly on whether i should enrol for settlement and if not how do I become debt free.
Ans: First, thank you for sharing this openly. It takes courage to talk about financial distress. You’re not alone — many good earners fall into debt traps because of high-interest credit cards and instant app-based loans. You can come out of this with structure and patience. I’ll guide you step by step.

» Understand your situation clearly

You owe around Rs. 3 lakh and earn about Rs. 50,000 per month. That means your debt is roughly six times your monthly income — manageable with proper planning, but it needs strict discipline. The main issue is not the amount, but the interest rate and harassment from unregulated lenders.

» Avoid informal “loan settlement panels” or unverified lawyer groups

It is risky to enroll in private settlement panels or so-called “lawyer panels” unless you’ve verified their legitimacy through a trusted source. Many such agencies:

Charge high upfront fees.

Promise settlement but fail to negotiate effectively.

May worsen your credit score or even lead to legal complications.

Instead, always deal directly with your bank/NBFC. If the app-based loan is from a registered NBFC, you can file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman if harassment continues.

» Take these first actions immediately

1. Stop taking new loans.
Do not take any new app loan to pay another. This only deepens the trap.

2. Create a clear list of your debts.
Write down:

Lender name

Total due

Interest rate

EMI amount

Remaining tenure

Once it’s all on paper, clarity replaces panic.

3. Prioritise debts.
Pay highest-interest debts (credit cards or app loans) first. Keep making minimum payments on others to protect your credit score.

4. Negotiate directly with lenders.
Call your credit card customer care and ask for a one-time settlement or EMI conversion plan.

Most banks will convert dues into a lower-interest monthly plan if you explain hardship honestly.

Never ignore calls. Always request written communication.

Keep records of all calls and emails.

5. Deal with app-based recovery harassment properly.
If recovery agents threaten or harass:

Record the call.

Report it to the National Cyber Crime Portal or RBI Sachet portal.

Many instant loan apps are unregulated or even illegal — you can refuse unlawful demands and lodge a complaint.

» Build a repayment structure

Your take-home pay is Rs. 50,000. Let’s keep your plan practical.

• Basic expenses: Around Rs. 25,000–28,000 per month for living needs.
• Debt repayment: Start with Rs. 15,000–18,000 monthly.
• Emergency & family contribution: Rs. 3,000–5,000 for safety.

With Rs. 15,000–18,000 monthly repayment, you can close Rs. 3 lakh debt within 18–20 months if you secure reduced-interest restructuring.

You can:

Combine smaller loans into one personal loan at lower interest (from your salary bank) to simplify repayment.

Avoid co-signing or using family credit.

Once repaid, never borrow from credit cards or loan apps again — rebuild only with emergency funds.

» Manage your credit cards

If your debt is mainly on credit cards:

Request EMI conversion or balance transfer to a lower-interest card or bank loan.

Stop using the card until the balance is zero.

Ask the bank for temporary interest waiver if financial hardship is documented.

» Psychological and job safety

Debt stress affects sleep, health and job focus. Recovery agents try to shame people into paying faster — ignore emotional blackmail.

Block harassing numbers after noting details.

Tell them to contact you only through official email.

Never let them involve your office or parents. That’s illegal under RBI’s Fair Practices Code.

If harassment becomes severe, file a police complaint under IPC Section 506 (criminal intimidation) or approach a local Legal Services Authority (free legal aid) for guidance.

» Steps to rebuild after clearing debt

Once loans are closed, take written closure letters and update CIBIL.

Keep one credit card with very low limit and pay full amount monthly to rebuild score.

Start a small emergency fund — Rs. 1,000–2,000 monthly until you have at least 3 months of expenses.

Then slowly begin investing in safe mutual funds or recurring deposits — never in credit-like products.

» Finally

You don’t need any paid settlement service. You can recover on your own with patience and structured repayment.
Avoid app loans, avoid quick-fix “lawyer settlements”, and use official channels only.
You have income, youth, and awareness — that’s your biggest advantage. In one to two years, you can be fully debt-free and emotionally free too.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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