I am a senior citizen. I am 68 years old.

I have income from the dividends of mutual funds and interest from company fixed deposits. I regularly file an ITR 2.

I had given a loan to one of my cousins, but he is neither returning the principal amount, nor paying any interest. I had, therefore, filed a legal suit against him for recovery of my dues and I incurred expenses worth Rs 45,000 for court stamp charges and advocate fees.

Can I set off this expense of Rs 45,000 against the other income from dividends and interest?

I would be obliged to have your reply. If yes, under which column should I claim it, because I cannot find any column in the new ITR 2

Ans: Hi
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Ans: Dear Anonymous,
First things first, you do not have to do what he did; tit for tat is not always the right approach. I would suggest discussing the matter openly with your family. Parents are often more experienced than us, and I am sure they can provide some good advice. Coming to him doing a background check- some people do that, and it's for some added security in an arranged marriage setup. But hiring a private detective is a bit too much; at least, personally, I have not heard of it before. Asking around or inquiring with mutual friends and family is common, but this might be too much. I am unsure if it indicates an overly doubtful nature in your fiance, or if the entire thing was his family's decision. My suggestion is not to rush into a decision; talk to your parents. If needed, take some more time to decide. And at any point, if you think all of these were too much, and you cannot trust him anymore, please do not hesitate to rethink the relationship. It's okay to prioritize yourself.

Best Wishes.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I can't tell you what you should answer, but I would suggest you say yes only when you are sure about getting married. There is no need to rush. Take some more time if there's any doubts.

Best Wishes.

Ans: Hello;

POMIS has sovereign assurance being a GOI scheme but it has interest rate risk, low tenure, investment limit.

SWP typically will have a higher risk(depends on the fund type) but still it's risk is higher than other instruments and may have a higher return, although this is not assured.

In case of income from annuity, returns may be lower but it offers you fixed income in retirement for longer tenures.

Mostly insurance companies invest annuity corpus in central and state government securities, PSU bonds, AAA rated corporate bonds etc so can't say 100% safe but highly secure and safe.

Here's a brief information about annuities:

Annuities are types of pension plans where you make a lump sum payment to a life insurance company and get a regular income for a certain period of time or for life.

There are primarily two types of annuities:

1. Immediate annuity
This is a type of annuity plan that provides you with a guaranteed regular income immediately after you pay the lump sum premium.

2. Deferred annuity
In a deferred annuity plan, your income starts at a later date and you can choose when you want the regular income to start.

Based on type of regular monthly payments annuities could also be classified as Fixed annuity and Variable annuity.

Below are the various options available in an annuity plan:

A. Life annuity: In this option, you receive annuity for life. The frequency of payments is usually pre-decided by you at the time of the purchase of the policy.

B. Joint life annuity: This is similar to a life annuity. In this option, you receive annuity payments for life. In your absence, your spouse continues to receive annuity payments for life.

C. Life annuity with return of purchase price: This provides you annuity payments for life. In case of an unfortunate event, your nominee will receive the amount you paid at the time of the purchase of the policy.

D. Annuity payable for a pre-decided term: This provides you the option to choose the duration for which you would want to receive annuity payments. The period can be 5 years, 10 years, or more.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello
This type of tooth decay is rather common in children. Most parents dismiss it as inconsequential because "milk teeth fall off anyway" and do not seek professional advice. I am happy to note that you are concerned and have already consulted a couple of dentists.
As long as your son's decayed teeth are asymptomatic, I would agree with your local dentists that, for now, no procedures should be done.
The logic is simple. A visit to the dentist is stressful even for adults. I imagine it would be even more so for a child of 4 or 5!
If the teeth in question are free from pain or underlying infection, we (the dental fraternity) would rather not expose the child to procedures which could potentially instill in him a lifelong fear of dentists and dental clinics.
However I strongly urge you to take your child for periodic check ups to ensure the decay doesn't spread unchecked and/or can be treated in time if the need arises. Please note if these teeth get infected and the infection is left untreated, the permanent teeth can also get damaged.
Also, you (the parent) need to inspect the said teeth and surrounding gums regularly to spot gum boils or swellings. If you spot any of this or if the child complains of pain please consult your dentist at once.
It goes without saying that he should brush his teeth with even more care. Ideally after every meal. Children cannot be fully trusted to brush their teeth well, so it's always wise for a parent to supervise.
If your son is a fussy eater you could consider giving him Calcium supplements. This will not help his current teeth in any way, but the permanent teeth which are due to erupt a few years later will hopefully be more resistant to decay.
Hope this answers your question.

Ans: Hi,
Thanks for reaching out! It’s great to hear your son is interested in Investment Banking. After 12th grade, he can consider a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or Business Administration.
There are some excellent universities overseas offering top programs in Finance and Business that provide the right skills and networking opportunities. If he’s looking at Germany, there are good universities like CBS International Business School, and ISM International School of Management that offer strong finance programs. Germany offers affordable education and great opportunities for networking, especially in cities like Frankfurt.
I’d also recommend he look into internships and workshops during his studies to get real-world experience in the field.
Wishing him all the best in his journey!
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Ans: Your financial situation reflects thoughtful planning and steady savings. Let's assess your assets, liabilities, and goals for an early retirement.

Key Details of Your Financial Status
Housing Loan: Rs. 70 lakh housing loan with an EMI of Rs. 80,000 per month.

Monthly Expenses: Rs. 70,000 per month for regular living expenses.

Current Investments: Mutual funds and PF of Rs. 1.50 crore.

Funds Post Loan Clearance: Rs. 80 lakh remaining after clearing the loan.

Monthly Income: Rs. 1.90 lakh in-hand income.

Upcoming Responsibilities: Marriage expenses for two children in 8–10 years.

Evaluating the Housing Loan Decision
Clearing the housing loan now reduces debt burden but impacts your liquidity.

Rs. 70 lakh repayment will leave you with Rs. 80 lakh in investments.

Retain emergency funds for unforeseen expenses after loan repayment.

Once EMI stops, Rs. 80,000 will be available monthly for investments or savings.

Key Goals to Address
Retirement Planning: Ensure your corpus supports expenses after retirement.

Children's Marriages: Allocate funds for both weddings within 8–10 years.

Monthly Expenses Post Retirement: Maintain Rs. 70,000 adjusted for inflation.

Steps for Managing Funds After Loan Clearance
Emergency Fund Setup: Keep Rs. 10 lakh in a liquid fund for emergencies.

Diversify Remaining Funds: Divide Rs. 70 lakh into equity, hybrid, and debt funds.

Future Marriage Goals: Invest Rs. 30 lakh specifically for children's marriage expenses.

Retirement Corpus Growth: Use the remaining Rs. 40 lakh for retirement-focused investments.

Monthly Savings Post-Loan
After loan repayment, you save Rs. 80,000 EMI monthly.

Combine this with Rs. 40,000 (from Rs. 1.90 lakh income after expenses).

Total Rs. 1.20 lakh can be invested monthly for retirement and future goals.

Suggested Investment Allocation
Equity Mutual Funds: Allocate 60% of monthly savings for long-term growth.

Hybrid Mutual Funds: Allocate 20% for a balance of growth and stability.

Debt Funds: Allocate 20% for safer, predictable returns.

Goal-Based SIPs: Create separate SIPs for retirement and marriage goals.

Retirement Corpus Estimation
Aim for a corpus that generates Rs. 70,000 monthly, adjusted for inflation.

Plan for a 30-year retirement, assuming early retirement at age 55–57.

Factor in rising medical costs, lifestyle changes, and unforeseen expenses.

Taxation Considerations
Equity mutual funds' LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income tax slab.

Invest strategically to minimise tax liabilities while maximising returns.

Children's Marriage Planning
Allocate Rs. 30 lakh across equity and balanced funds for this goal.

Ensure growth-oriented investments to meet inflation-adjusted costs.

Withdraw gradually closer to the marriage dates to avoid market volatility.

Suggestions for Early Retirement
Continue working for 3–5 years to build a stronger retirement corpus.

This allows you to grow investments and plan for children's weddings.

Focus on reducing liabilities, increasing savings, and investing wisely.

Protection for Your Family
Health Insurance: Increase family coverage to Rs. 20–25 lakh.

Life Insurance: Ensure adequate coverage, at least 10 times your annual income.

Will and Estate Planning: Secure your wealth distribution legally.

Final Insights
Clearing your housing loan now can simplify your finances. However, focus on balancing liquidity for future goals. Continue working for a few more years to strengthen your retirement corpus. A well-structured investment plan can help meet your children’s marriage expenses and ensure a comfortable retired life.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: Hello
I understand your anxiety. A visit to the dentist can be stressful, especially if you have had a bad experience.

Here are some key factors to help you identify a good dentist:

1. *Qualifications*: Check for a degree from a reputable dental school and valid licenses.

2. *Experience*: Consider a dentist with extensive experience in general dentistry or specialized fields like orthodontics or oral surgery.

3. *Communication*: A good dentist listens attentively, explains procedures clearly, and answers questions patiently.

4. *Chairside manner*: A caring and compassionate attitude can make dental visits less stressful.

5. *Up-to-date technology*: Modern equipment and digital X-rays indicate a commitment to quality care.

6. *Sterilization and hygiene*: Ensure proper sterilization techniques and a clean environment.

7. *Continuing education*: A good dentist stays updated on the latest techniques and advancements.

8. *Patient reviews*: Research online reviews and ask for referrals from satisfied patients.

9. *Professional affiliations*: Membership in organizations like the Indian Dental Association (IDA) or local dental societies indicates a commitment to ethical standards.

10. *Comfort level*: Trust your instincts and choose a dentist with whom you feel comfortable discussing your concerns and treatment options.

11. *Clear treatment plans*: A good dentist explains procedures, costs, and alternatives clearly.

12. *Emergency care*: Find out their policy for handling dental emergencies and after-hours care.

13. *Office hours and location*: Consider a dentist with convenient office hours and a location that suits your needs


By evaluating these factors, you can find a skilled and caring dentist who meets your oral health needs.

Ans: Hello;

It depends on your total income and amount of deductions you claim in a financial year.

Best wishes;