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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8092 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 11, 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
Varsha Question by Varsha on Apr 21, 2024Hindi
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Money

I had invested in Sovereign Gold Bonds in 2015-16. I received maturity payments in 2023-24. As per terms of issue, these bonds were exempt from long term capital gains tax on maturity. My question is: Am I required to declared long term capital gains on these bonds in my ITR2 for A. Y. 2024-25? If so, where? I do not find any provision in Schedule Capital Gains in ITR2 return.

Ans: No, you are not required to declare long term capital gains on the Sovereign Gold Bonds that matured in 2023-24 in your ITR2 for A.Y. 2024-25. Sovereign Gold Bonds are exempt from long-term capital gains tax on maturity as per the terms of issue
Since the capital gains are exempt, you don't need to report them anywhere in your ITR return, including the Schedule Capital Gains section.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
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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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8092 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 29, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 21, 2023Hindi
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Money
Sir, I will be 80 years of age on 07 Feb, 2024. I have made some Long Term Capital Gains from Mutual Funds during this current financial year, 2023 - 24. I understand that senior citizens aged 80 years and above need not file any income tax returns. Please let me know whether I should pay the long term capital gains tax for this current financial year or need not.
Ans: Understanding Long Term Capital Gains Tax for Senior Citizens
Congratulations on your upcoming milestone of turning 80 on 07 February 2024. It's a significant achievement and I appreciate the wisdom that comes with it. Let's discuss the tax implications for your long-term capital gains from mutual funds in the current financial year, 2023-24.

Income Tax Rules for Senior Citizens
In India, senior citizens (aged 60 and above) and super senior citizens (aged 80 and above) enjoy certain tax benefits. These include higher exemption limits and additional deductions. For super senior citizens, the income tax exemption limit is higher compared to regular taxpayers.

Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) Tax
Long-term capital gains (LTCG) from equity mutual funds are taxed at 10% if the gains exceed Rs 1 lakh in a financial year. This tax is applicable irrespective of your age or income bracket.

Filing Income Tax Returns
Super senior citizens, aged 80 years and above, are generally not required to file income tax returns if their income is below the exemption limit. However, this exemption does not apply to taxable long-term capital gains.

Need to Pay LTCG Tax
Even though you will be 80 years old, you need to pay long-term capital gains tax if your gains exceed Rs 1 lakh. The exemption from filing returns based on age does not exclude you from paying taxes on capital gains.

Importance of Compliance
It's important to comply with tax laws to avoid any penalties or legal issues. Paying your LTCG tax ensures that you stay within the legal framework.

Role of Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds have the potential to provide higher returns, which could lead to higher long-term capital gains. This makes it crucial to plan your tax liabilities accordingly.

Benefits of Regular Plans
Investing through regular plans with the guidance of a Certified Financial Planner ensures that you receive expert advice. This can help you manage your investments and tax liabilities effectively.

Avoiding Real Estate and Index Funds
Real estate investments and index funds are not recommended in this context. Actively managed funds provide better management and potential returns, which align with your financial goals.

Professional Advice
Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can help you navigate the complexities of tax laws. They can provide personalized advice based on your financial situation.

Importance of Planning
Effective financial planning includes managing your tax liabilities. By understanding the tax implications of your investments, you can make informed decisions.

Regular Review
Regularly reviewing your investment portfolio ensures that it aligns with your financial goals and tax planning needs. A Certified Financial Planner can assist in this process.

Conclusion
Even at 80 years of age, paying long-term capital gains tax is necessary if your gains exceed Rs 1 lakh. Compliance with tax laws is crucial for financial health. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can help you manage your investments and tax liabilities effectively.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8092 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 24, 2024

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Money
Dear Money Gurus, I have invested in Sovereign Gold Bonds. I know if the bonds are held for full 8 years the redemption is tax free. However, I want to check if I opt to redeem the bonds after 5 years as per the Government window available, will the gains be taxable?
Ans: You mentioned considering the option to redeem the bonds after 5 years. The government provides a redemption window starting from the fifth year. This is convenient if you need liquidity before the 8-year term ends.

The question is whether the capital gains from redeeming after 5 years will be taxable.

In short, yes, the gains will be taxable if you redeem before the 8-year period.

Let me explain in detail.

Tax Implications on Redemption Before 8 Years
SGBs enjoy a unique tax benefit when held for the full tenure of 8 years. Any capital gains from redeeming the bonds after 8 years are completely tax-free. However, if you opt to redeem the bonds after 5 years using the available exit window, the capital gains will not enjoy the tax-free benefit.

If you redeem after 5 years but before 8 years, the capital gains will be taxed as long-term capital gains (LTCG).

LTCG on SGBs is taxed at 12.5% if the gains exceed Rs. 1.25 lakh in a financial year.
Short-term gains (STCG) are taxed at 20% if redeemed within three years.
By redeeming after 5 years, the government treats it as an early exit, and the LTCG taxation applies.

Interest Income: Taxable Every Year
It’s also essential to note that the interest earned on SGBs, which is currently set at 2.5% per annum, is taxable every year. This interest is added to your income and taxed as per your income tax slab.

You cannot avoid taxation on the interest income. So, even though you are considering redeeming after 5 years, your interest income has already been taxed annually.

Should You Redeem After 5 Years?
While the option to redeem after 5 years offers flexibility, it's important to weigh the tax implications. Redeeming after 5 years will attract LTCG tax, which reduces your net gains.

If your financial needs permit, holding the bonds for the full 8-year tenure will maximize the tax benefits, allowing you to redeem them tax-free.

This strategy makes SGBs more effective as a long-term investment.

Final Insights
If you redeem after 5 years, you will pay LTCG tax at 12.5% on gains exceeding Rs. 1.25 lakh.

The interest you earn each year is taxable and added to your total income.

Holding the bonds for the full 8 years will help you avoid capital gains tax, as the redemption is tax-free at that point.

Opt for early redemption only if you need liquidity or other financial circumstances require it. Otherwise, holding the bonds for the entire tenure offers better tax efficiency.

Best Regards,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4313 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Mar 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 10, 2025Hindi
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Career
Mere beta ka jee mains 95 hai Nit mil jayega kya Ews cote se
Ans: Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide

Once the January JEE Main session results was declared, many students and JEE applicants started asking common questions about eligibility for specific institutes (NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, etc.) based on their percentile, category, preferred branch, and home state.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile (Convert percentile into Rank withe help of a formula available in Google).
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates Option also and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, and preparation strategies, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4313 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Mar 10, 2025

Listen
Career
I've got 92 percentile in B.ARCH JEE MAINS paper 2A OBC-NCL will I get the good college like nit with this percentile.
Ans: Tanishq, Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide

Once the January JEE Main session results was declared, many students and JEE applicants started asking common questions about eligibility for specific institutes (NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, etc.) based on their percentile, category, preferred branch, and home state.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile (Convert percentile into Rank withe help of a formula available in Google).
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates Option also and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, and preparation strategies, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |545 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Mar 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 08, 2025Hindi
Listen
Relationship
I have been in relationship with my boyfriend for the past 11 months..and its gonna be a year in this April.I love him so much that I am in a point that I can't let him leave me nor I can leave him.He gives me the support and love I always wished for.There is nothing more than him that I want in my life.But the issue is with my past. When he proposed me itself, I told the harsh truth about my past relationship,that I am not virgin like him and I got pregnant with my ex .And since he is virgin he can't accept the fact that I lost my virginity.In the beginning of the relationship he has told me if he is virgin, he wants his girl also to be virgin.If he was not a virgin then this won't be a problem for him. He can't understand nor he can't accept that I lost my virginity and got pregnant.There is a twist to this story also.In the beginning I told him that I have got pregnant in my past, but after that I told him I am not sure because my test results I saw was negative. I am not sure whether I got pregnant or not, my doctor is telling me its all my hallucinations.I have been dealing with anxiety since 7 years and I am having treatment.My padt is not affecting me now but it is affecting him making him overthink a lot and I can't see him suffer like this.Before I came to his life,he was telling his family that he don't want marriage and he will be single for life.I know that my past is not smthg that every boy can accept.But he told me that he can't accept my past ever in this life nor he can't stop overthinking about it.And because of this he wants to leave me even though he loves me.He literally told me that he can fight for me and be in a relationship with me but with the condition that I have to see him suffer.I told him to see my doctor who can better explain my past to him.But it's been months I have been telling him this and still now he didn't took an effort to see my doc.I can't even imagine spending a moment of my life with him.I found my home in him.But my concern is that is he loving me like I do.If he loves me that much he will stick on to that one reason to be with me and he is not doing.Other than the fact that he can't accept my past and it is making him suffer,everything between us is good.Should we consult a relationship expert.He told me that it is better to end this now rather than getting married in future and face problems because of this and fighting with each other and finally getting a divorce.He might be correct if this issue is not resolved now,it might create problems in the longrun.But the thing is I can't change my past and whatever happened to me was not my fault.My past has become a curse in my current relationship.I can assure that my past will not create any issue in our marriage if he can accept it somehow and not overthink about it.If we continue this relationship he have to live with the overthinking about my past for my happiness.Otherwise also if we both breakup I will suffer more because of it and he too will also suffer because he left me.He is telling that the problem is with him that he can't accept my past.What should I do to fix this problem and make him accept my past and understand my love for him?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I am really sorry that you are in such a tricky situation. It looks like you already know that your past is not your fault, so I don't have to remind you of that. I just want you to keep reminding yourself the same thing whenever you feel the doubts creeping in. Now, coming to your partner- though it is a little unfair that he is judging you by your past, it would also be unfair to him because he clearly mentioned that he wants someone like himself; someone without any intimate experience. I cannot explain to you why that is important to so many people, but since he has been upfront about his preference, I think it is only fair to let him decide what he wants with this relationship. Also, if he is convinced that this past thing will cause problems in the future, it really isn't the best decision to move on with the relationship like everything is okay. Accept that things are not alright, and give him the space to cool down. Do not try to convince him to get back together- I know it will be hard but it is extremely important for both your futures. If he comes back, then great. If he doesn't, you should know that it's for the best.
I know you think your life will be messed up without him, and you will forever be sad, but you are wrong. It won't. Great things will happen to you because you deserve them all.
Best Wishes.

...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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