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Will I be taxed on 20 lacs investment from my father-in-law?

Vipul

Vipul Bhavsar  | Answer  |Ask -

Tax Expert - Answered on Apr 04, 2025

Vipul Bhavsar is a chartered accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He has over 16 years of experience in corporate advisory, taxation and financial reporting.
His interest areas are consulting, income tax, GST and due diligence.
He founded his CA firm, V J Bhavsar and Associates, in 2010 through which he offers services like virtual CFO, trademark registrations, company /LLP formation, MIS reporting, audit, tax and TDS compliances, accounts receivable/payable management and payroll processing.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Mar 12, 2025Hindi
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Hello, My father in law wants to give me 20 lacs to invest in the market through my Demat account. Technically he will transfer the amount into my savings / salary account which is linked to the Demat account. I will then transfer the amount to my demat account and will invest for long time. Will this transaction attract any tax liability ? if yes how to avoid the same ?

Ans: This transaction may not incur tax liability but you need to consult CA for accurate guidance

Vipul Bhavsar
Chartered Accountant
www.capitalca.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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 12, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 02, 2024Hindi
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Hi Sir I have 18 years old son started to college , I would like to transfer 10-15 lacs from my corpus to his to start MF and FD investment for longer run. what sort of precautionary measure to take to avoid any tax complications later. Thank you Kumar
Ans: Kumar,

Investing in your son’s future is a wise and caring move. To ensure smooth and efficient management, here are comprehensive steps and precautions for transferring funds into mutual funds and fixed deposits, along with ways to avoid tax complications later on.

Understanding the Investment Landscape
Investing in mutual funds and fixed deposits (FDs) can be highly beneficial. Each has its own advantages, risks, and growth potential. Let’s delve into both to understand them better.

Mutual Funds
Advantages:

Diversification: Mutual funds invest in a wide range of securities, reducing risk.

Professional Management: Fund managers use their expertise to manage your investments.

Liquidity: Easy to buy and sell mutual fund units as needed.

Power of Compounding: Long-term investments can significantly grow due to compounding.

Categories:

Equity Funds: Higher risk and higher returns, ideal for long-term goals.

Debt Funds: Lower risk, stable returns, good for short to medium-term goals.

Hybrid Funds: Mix of equity and debt, balancing risk and reward.

Risks:

Market Risk: The value of investments can fluctuate based on market conditions.

Interest Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates can affect debt funds' performance.

Inflation Risk: Returns may not always keep pace with inflation, affecting purchasing power.

Fixed Deposits (FDs)
Advantages:

Safety: FDs are considered safe with assured returns.

Fixed Returns: Interest rates are locked in, providing predictable income.

Tax Benefits: Some FDs offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Risks:

Lower Returns: FDs generally offer lower returns compared to mutual funds.

Liquidity: Early withdrawal can result in penalties.

Steps for Investing in Your Son's Name
1. Open a Bank Account
First, ensure your son has a bank account. This is essential for all subsequent investments and transactions. Ensure the account is in his name, with you as the guardian, if needed.

2. Open a Demat and Trading Account
For investing in mutual funds, a Demat and trading account in your son’s name is crucial. This facilitates easy purchase, holding, and selling of mutual fund units.

3. Know Your Customer (KYC) Compliance
Complete the KYC process for your son. KYC is mandatory for mutual fund investments. It involves submitting identity and address proofs, and your son needs to be compliant to invest.

4. Nomination
Ensure that a nomination is set up. It ensures smooth transfer of funds in case of unforeseen circumstances. You can be the nominee or appoint someone you trust.

Investment Strategy
Mutual Funds
Choosing the Right Funds:

Long-Term Goals: For long-term investments, equity mutual funds are ideal. They offer higher returns over time due to market growth and compounding.

Balanced Approach: Consider hybrid funds for a mix of equity and debt. They balance risk and provide steady growth.

Regular Funds vs. Direct Funds: Invest through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Regular funds managed by a CFP offer professional advice and management, ensuring better growth and risk management compared to direct funds.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):

SIP Benefits: Encourage your son to start a SIP. It promotes disciplined investing, averaging out market volatility, and leveraging the power of compounding.
Fixed Deposits
Laddering Strategy:

Laddering FDs: Divide the investment into multiple FDs with different maturities. This ensures liquidity and better management of interest rate risks.

Reinvestment: Upon maturity, reinvest the FD for continued growth. Align maturity dates with future financial needs.

Tax Considerations
Clubbing of Income
Avoid Clubbing:

Minor’s Income: Income earned by a minor is clubbed with the parent’s income. To avoid this, ensure the investments are in your son’s name post attaining majority.

Transfer Post-Majority: If your son is 18, transfer investments to his name directly. This prevents income clubbing, reducing your tax burden.

Gift Tax
Exemptions:

Gifts to Son: Any amount transferred to your son is exempt from gift tax. Utilize this exemption to transfer funds without any tax implications.
Capital Gains Tax
Long-Term and Short-Term Gains:

Equity Funds: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs 1 lakh in a financial year are taxed at 10%. Short-term gains are taxed at 15%.

Hybrid Debt Funds: LTCG on debt funds are taxed at 20% with indexation benefits. Short-term gains are added to your income and taxed as per the applicable slab.

Tax-Saving Strategies
Tax-Saving Funds:

ELSS: Consider investing in Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS). It offers tax benefits under Section 80C and potential for good returns.

5-Year FDs: Invest in tax-saving FDs with a 5-year lock-in period. They offer tax benefits under Section 80C.

Monitoring and Review
Regular Monitoring
Track Performance: Regularly monitor the performance of your investments. Use online tools and apps to stay updated.

Annual Review: Conduct an annual review of the portfolio. Adjust allocations based on market conditions and financial goals.

Rebalancing
Maintain Balance: Rebalance the portfolio periodically to maintain the desired asset allocation. This ensures optimal growth and risk management.

Avoid Emotional Decisions: Stay focused on long-term goals. Avoid making investment decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.

Ensuring Smooth Transfer of Assets
Nomination and Will
Nomination:

Nomination: Ensure nominations are updated for all investments. This simplifies the transfer process in case of unforeseen events.
Will:

Draft a Will: Draft a will clearly stating the distribution of assets. This ensures that your son receives the intended investments without legal hassles.
Power of Attorney
Legal Authorization:

Power of Attorney: Consider granting a power of attorney to a trusted person. This ensures that your investments are managed smoothly in case of any incapacity.
Final Insights
Investing in your son's future through mutual funds and fixed deposits is a commendable decision. It provides financial security and helps build a substantial corpus over time. By understanding the advantages and risks associated with mutual funds and fixed deposits, you can make informed decisions.

Remember, mutual funds offer professional management, diversification, and the power of compounding, making them suitable for long-term growth. Fixed deposits, on the other hand, provide safety and fixed returns, ideal for conservative investors.

Ensure all investments are in your son’s name to avoid clubbing of income and utilize the gift tax exemptions effectively. Opt for tax-saving instruments like ELSS and 5-year FDs to optimize tax benefits.

Regularly monitor and review the portfolio, rebalancing it to maintain the desired asset allocation. Update nominations and draft a will to ensure a smooth transfer of assets.

By following these steps, you can secure your son’s financial future, allowing him to focus on his education and career without worrying about finances. You are setting a strong foundation for his future, and that is truly admirable.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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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