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Can I Open VPF and PPF with NPS?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7101 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 24, 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 - Jul 04, 2024Hindi
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Dear sir, I am a railway employee, I am covered under NPS Scheme, can I also open a vpf and PPF account simultaneously with my nps savings?

Ans: Assessing the Possibility of Multiple Savings Schemes
You are covered under the NPS Scheme. It's great to see you considering other savings options. Yes, you can open both a VPF and a PPF account simultaneously with your NPS savings.

Benefits of Opening a VPF Account
The Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF) is a good option. It offers the same interest rate as the EPF. Contributions are voluntary, and you can choose how much to invest.

Tax Benefits: Contributions to VPF are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C.

Risk-Free Returns: The returns are guaranteed and risk-free.

Long-Term Savings: Helps in building a substantial corpus over time.

Benefits of Opening a PPF Account
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is another excellent option. It is backed by the government, ensuring safety and stable returns.

Tax Benefits: Contributions to PPF are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C.

Tax-Free Interest: The interest earned is tax-free.

Long-Term Investment: It has a lock-in period of 15 years, encouraging long-term savings.

Combining NPS with VPF and PPF
Combining NPS, VPF, and PPF can provide a balanced portfolio. Each scheme has its unique benefits. Together, they can help you achieve financial stability and security.

Diversification: Spreading your investments across these schemes reduces risk.

Tax Efficiency: Maximizes your tax benefits under different sections of the Income Tax Act.

Stable Returns: Ensures a mix of market-linked and fixed returns.

Professional Insight on Investment Strategy
It is prudent to diversify your investments. Each of these schemes offers different benefits and serves different financial goals.

Risk Management: NPS provides market-linked returns which can be volatile. VPF and PPF provide stability.

Flexibility: NPS allows partial withdrawals for specific needs. PPF has a lock-in but can be partially withdrawn after 7 years. VPF can be withdrawn under certain conditions.

Retirement Planning: These schemes together can create a substantial retirement corpus.

Additional Considerations
While these schemes offer many benefits, consider your financial goals. Assess your risk appetite and investment horizon.

Regular Monitoring: Keep track of your investments. Adjust them based on your financial goals and market conditions.

Consult a CFP: For a personalized plan, consult a Certified Financial Planner. They can help tailor an investment strategy to meet your specific needs.

Final Insights
Balancing NPS, VPF, and PPF can be a smart move. It provides a diversified portfolio with tax benefits, stability, and growth potential. Regularly review and adjust your investments to ensure they align with your financial goals.

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  |7101 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 20, 2024

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Can i open 2 or more PPF account ?
Ans: Understanding the Public Provident Fund (PPF)
The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a popular savings-cum-tax-saving instrument in India. It offers attractive interest rates, tax benefits under Section 80C, and a secure way to build a retirement corpus. However, there are strict rules governing PPF accounts, including limitations on the number of accounts one can hold.

Rules Regarding Multiple PPF Accounts
Single Account Rule
According to the rules established by the Government of India, an individual is allowed to open only one PPF account in their name. This is strictly enforced to prevent the misuse of tax benefits and to ensure systematic savings.

Penalty for Multiple Accounts
If an individual opens more than one PPF account, the additional account(s) will be considered invalid. The government will merge the accounts, and only one will be recognized as valid. The contributions made to the additional accounts will not earn any interest, and the tax benefits will not apply.

Joint Accounts and Minor Accounts
While you cannot open multiple accounts in your name, you can open a PPF account for a minor child where you act as the guardian. However, the total contributions to the guardian's account and the minor's account together cannot exceed the maximum limit of ?1.5 lakh in a financial year.

Advantages of a PPF Account
Tax Benefits: Contributions up to ?1.5 lakh per year are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Safety and Returns: PPF offers a government-guaranteed return, making it a safe investment.
Long-Term Savings: With a 15-year maturity period, PPF encourages long-term savings, which can be extended in blocks of 5 years.
Managing Your PPF Account
Contribution Limits
Ensure that your annual contributions do not exceed ?1.5 lakh, whether the deposits are made in a single account or split between your account and a minor's account. Exceeding this limit will result in the excess amount not earning interest.

Regular Deposits
To keep your PPF account active, deposit a minimum of ?500 each financial year. Missing this minimum contribution can result in the account becoming inactive, requiring a penalty for reactivation.

Alternatives for Diversifying Savings
Since you can only have one PPF account, consider other investment options to diversify your savings:

National Savings Certificate (NSC): Similar to PPF in terms of safety and tax benefits but with shorter maturity periods.
Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS): Offers market-linked returns with tax benefits under Section 80C.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): If you have a daughter, this scheme offers higher interest rates and tax benefits.
Conclusion
To directly address your query: No, you cannot open two or more PPF accounts in your name. Doing so will violate the rules set by the Government of India, leading to potential penalties and invalidation of additional accounts. Stick to one PPF account and consider other tax-saving and investment instruments to diversify your portfolio and maximize your returns.

Your disciplined approach to investing and adherence to the rules will ensure a secure financial future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |3918 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Nov 24, 2024

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Sir i am currently in class 11 th and i just want to prepare for jee mains and advanced 2026 exam so give me some roadmap to achieve and also guide me for computer science
Ans: Shreya, I trust that you have already enrolled in a coaching center, whether it be online or in person, and have finished your eleventh syllabus. (1) If you have not yet created your own short-notes for the 11th syllabus that has been completed, prepare it and continue to revise them every three days until 2026, even after you have commenced studying the 12th syllabus in December 2024. (2) Review the questions that you have incorrectly answered or skipped in mock tests conducted by your Coaching Center and/or practiced independently. (3) In order to increase your rank/percentile by targeting computer science at a reputable college/institute, prioritize mathematics (although all three subjects are equally important). (4) You should be thorough with NCERT books, particularly those pertaining to chemistry, in conjunction with the materials provided by your coaching institute. (5) Have 1-2 reference books for each subject. Not exceeding two. (6) Review the questions that were incorrectly answered or skipped in your mock and practice exams and retake the test. It is advisable to maintain a distinct note-book for these types of questions, which should include answers and elucidating notes, in order to review them repeatedly for all three subjects. (7) Download the SYLLABUS of JEE Main 2025 (available on Google by searching for "JEE Main Information Bulletin") and print it out, as there will be no significant changes to the syllabus in 2026. Maintain it on your study table and continue to update the 11th syllabus chapters and concepts that you have covered to date by marking them with a checkmark. This will boost your confidence if you continue to update the same till November 2025. (8) A slight difference in Syllabus might be visible when you acquire the 2026 JEE Main / JEE Advanced Syllabus. The same can be resolved within 15 days to one month in 2025-26. (9) Increase your productivity by studying for 45 minutes to 1 hour, taking a 10-minute break, and then continuing for 45 minutes. (10) Take a 2-3 minute break every 45 minutes while practicing questions, whether offline or online. This break should consist of closing your eyes and taking long breaths to enhance your concentration and mental capacity. (11) Additionally, it is recommended that you acquire the 20-40 PREVIOUS years question paper book of JEE (Main & Advanced) from Amazon. Arihant's, Disha's, or MTG's publications are recommended. Once you have finished reading a chapter, practice and complete it to determine the extent to which you have comprehended the concepts and to identify areas that require improvement. (12) By October 2025, ensure that you have reviewed significantly more than 90% of the previous years questions. Your confidence will be further bolstered by this. (13) After the mock test is completed at your coaching center, clarify all incorrectly answered or ignored questions and continue to revise and practice them, as these types of questions will significantly disrupt your performance in the actual JEE. (14) If you are a regular school student, inquire with your class teacher about the minimum attendance requirement as outlined in the Board's regulations (State, CBSE, ICSE, etc.). Utilize the remaining 15% by taking time off and preparing for your JEE, if only 85% attendance is required. (15) THE MOST IMPORTANT Value Added Suggestion: Rather than solely relying on JEE, please participate in 5-7 entrance exams/counseling process with a JEE score for getting admission into any one of the private engineering colleges to have a variety of options to select the most suitable one. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future.

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T S Khurana

T S Khurana   |197 Answers  |Ask -

Tax Expert - Answered on Nov 23, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 11, 2024Hindi
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Can you please suggest on capital gains as per Indian taxation laws arising in the below two queries : 1) property purchased with joint ownership, me and my wife’s name in 2015 at a cost of 64,80,000, housing improvements done for the cost of 1000000 and brokerages of 200000 paid and sold the same property at 10000000 in Dec 2023? 2) 87% of the proceeds got from the deal i.e 8700000, have been reinvested to pay 25% amount in purchasing another joint ownership property in Dec 2023, 3) I have invested in another under construction property in Nov 2023 by taking housing loan, which is on me and my wife’s name worth 1.4 cr, here the primary applicant is me only while wife is just made a Co applicant in the builder buyer agreement and also on the housing loan . So what are the LTCG tax liabilities arising from the above 3 scenarios for FY 2023-2024 and FY 2024-2025. I intend to sale off the property acquired in (2) by Dec 2024 and use that proceeds to close the housing loan for the property acquired in (3), will this sale of property be inviting any tax liabilities if the complete proceeds received from the sale of the property in (2) would be utilised to close the housing loan taken in Nov 2023 for the property in (3) ? Since in FY 23-24, I would be claiming the LTCG from the sale proceeds of 1) invested in the purchase of property in 2), and I intend to sale off this property in Dec 2024, will the LTCG claim be forfeited on the property sale in (1), should I hold this property at least for further 1 year so that sale of this property in 2) will not invite STCG?
Ans: (A). Let's first talk about F/Y 2023-24 :
You jointly sold a Property during the year for Rs.76.80 lakhs (64.80+10.00+2.00), & sold the same for Rs.100.00 lakhs.
You have jointly also purchased Property No.3 (I suppose it is Residential only), for Rs.140.00 lakhs.
You should avail exemption u/s-54 & file your ITR accordingly. Please disclose all details about sale & purchase in your ITR.
02. Now coming to the F/Y 2024-25 :
You intend to Sell Property No.2, which was acquired in 2023-24. Any Gain on Sale of it would be Short Term capital Gains & taxed accordingly.
Alternatively, you may hold this sale of property no.2 (for 2 years from its purchase) & avoid STCG
You are free to utilize the sale proceeds in a way you like, including paying off your housing Loan.
Please note to avail exemption u/s 54 only from investment in property no.3 & not 2.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.

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