20-Year-Old Starting First Job: How to Maximize Savings and Reach a 1 Crore Investment Goal?

Ans: As per the details mentioned above section 80C is completely covered.

In order to avail further benefit, you can avail medical insurance premium under section 80D. You can claim deduction upto 25,000 on premium paid towards medical insurance for self, spouse and children and parents below 60 years of age and Rs. 50,000 if parents are above 60 years of age.

You can also avail an additional deduction of 50k by investing in NPS.

Ans: Hi Rajiv
You may opt for the new tax regime to minimize your tax outgo there by freeing up your options to invest wisely instead of from tax saving perspective. You would need to chat with a financial planner (also available on Rediff Gurus) to understand the way forward on meeting your investment goals

Ans: presuming you have exhausted the limit of Rs. 1.50 Lacs with your existing PPF, LIC etc, you may still have room for investment u/s 80CC(1) and 80CC(2), which are central govt schemes for investment in pension schemes like Atal Pension yogana which gives additional deduction of Rs. 50 K. You can claim your bank interest in Sec. 80TTA. Claim donations, if any in 80G. in case if you have any housing loan, interest upto Rs. 2.00 Lacs is deducted from salary and net salary is offered to tax. The principle portion can be deducted from Rs. 1.50Lac slab also

Ans: Hi,

Given your annual CTC of Rs 17.6 lakh and your current investments, here are some tax-saving investment options you can consider for the financial year 2023-24:

1. Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS): This is a type of mutual fund that not only helps you save tax but also gives you an opportunity to grow your money. They have a lock-in period of 3 years.

2. Public Provident Fund (PPF): You've mentioned planning for Sukanya Samriddhi for your daughter, which is a great choice. In addition to that, you can also consider investing in PPF. It's a long-term investment option that offers tax-free interest.

3. Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP): Since you already have life insurance policies, you might want to look into ULIPs. They offer both insurance and investment under a single integrated plan.

4. National Savings Certificate: This is another safe investment option that you can consider.

5. New Pension Scheme (NPS): It's a voluntary, long-term retirement savings scheme designed to enable systematic savings. It is a mix of equity, fixed deposits, corporate bonds, liquid funds, and government funds.

6. Fixed Deposits: Some fixed deposits offer tax-saving benefits. However, the interest earned might be taxable.

7. Senior Citizen Saving Scheme (SCSS): Since you've mentioned senior citizen health insurance, if you or your family members qualify, SCSS can be a good option. It offers a good interest rate.

Remember, the key is to diversify your investments and not put all your money into one basket. It's also essential to keep in mind the lock-in periods, returns, and tax implications of each investment option.

I hope this helps!

Ans: With a yearly income of Rs. 35 lakhs, you fall into a higher tax bracket, so it's essential to optimise your tax-saving strategies.

Let's explore various options to help you reduce your taxable income and increase your savings.

1. Utilising Section 80C Deductions
Section 80C offers deductions of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh on various investments and expenses. Given your salary, it's vital to ensure you're fully utilising this limit.

Provident Fund (PF) Contributions:

Your monthly PF deduction of Rs. 28,000 amounts to Rs. 3.36 lakhs annually. However, only Rs. 1.5 lakh of this can be claimed under Section 80C.
National Pension System (NPS):

Contributions to NPS are eligible for an additional Rs. 50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD(1B). This is over and above the Rs. 1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C.
Home Loan Principal Repayment:

The principal repayment of your home loan is also eligible for deduction under Section 80C. Ensure you include this when calculating your total 80C limit.
Other 80C Investment Options:

If you have not exhausted your Rs. 1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C, consider investing in other eligible options such as Public Provident Fund (PPF), Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS), and life insurance premiums.
2. Leveraging Section 24 for Home Loan Interest
Interest Payment Deduction:
You can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 2 lakh on the interest paid on your home loan under Section 24(b). You've mentioned an annual interest payment of Rs. 2 lakh, which you can fully utilise to reduce your taxable income.
3. Maximising Health Insurance Benefits under Section 80D
Health Insurance Premium:
You are already paying a premium of Rs. 50,000 for medical insurance. Under Section 80D, you can claim a deduction for health insurance premiums up to Rs. 25,000 for yourself, spouse, and dependent children.
If your parents are senior citizens, you can claim an additional deduction of Rs. 50,000 for their health insurance premiums. If they are not senior citizens, the limit is Rs. 25,000.
4. Additional Deductions under Section 80E for Education Loans
Education Loan Interest:
If you have an education loan for yourself, spouse, or children, you can claim a deduction on the interest paid under Section 80E. This deduction is available for up to 8 years or until the interest is paid off, whichever is earlier.
5. Contributing to the National Pension System (NPS)
Additional Deduction for NPS Contributions:

Besides the Rs. 50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD(1B), you can also claim a deduction for your own NPS contributions under Section 80C, as mentioned earlier. This can be part of your Rs. 1.5 lakh limit.
Employer Contribution:

If your employer contributes to your NPS account, it can be claimed as a deduction under Section 80CCD(2). This is an additional deduction and does not fall under the Rs. 1.5 lakh limit of Section 80C.
6. Donations and Charitable Contributions under Section 80G
Eligible Donations:

Contributions to certain charitable organisations and relief funds are eligible for deductions under Section 80G. The deduction percentage varies depending on the organisation and the donation amount.
Claiming Deductions:

Ensure you have valid receipts and the organisation is eligible under Section 80G before claiming the deduction. This can help reduce your taxable income while contributing to a good cause.
7. Claiming Deductions for Savings Account Interest under Section 80TTA
Interest on Savings Account:

If you earn interest on your savings account, you can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 10,000 under Section 80TTA. This deduction is available for individual and HUF taxpayers.
Interest on Fixed Deposits (FDs):

Interest on FDs is fully taxable. However, senior citizens can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 50,000 on interest income from FDs, savings accounts, and post office schemes under Section 80TTB.
8. Avoiding Common Tax Mistakes
Accurate Record Keeping:

Maintain records of all your investments, insurance premiums, home loan statements, and other eligible expenses. Accurate records ensure that you claim all possible deductions and avoid unnecessary tax liabilities.
Tax Planning Throughout the Year:

Tax planning should be an ongoing process, not just something to consider at the end of the financial year. Regularly review your investments and expenses to maximise your tax-saving opportunities.
9. Final Insights
By strategically planning your investments and expenses, you can significantly reduce your tax burden. Ensure you are fully utilising deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, and 24(b) for your provident fund contributions, home loan interest, and medical insurance.

Consider contributing to the National Pension System (NPS) for additional tax benefits and explore other options like charitable donations under Section 80G. With careful planning, you can achieve substantial tax savings and improve your financial well-being.

It's always a good idea to consult with a Certified Financial Planner to tailor these strategies to your specific situation. They can provide detailed guidance based on your financial goals and current tax liabilities.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in