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1.85cr plot sold, 1.4cr new plot bought - save or invest remaining?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10997 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 19, 2025

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 - Feb 18, 2025Hindi
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I have sold a plot worth for 1.85 cr... I have bought a plot worth 1.4 cr... can i keep the remaining in my saving account for house construction or do i put the balance amount in a cgas account

Ans: Since you sold a plot for Rs 1.85 crore and purchased another plot for Rs 1.4 crore, you have a balance of Rs 45 lakh.

Capital Gains Tax Implication
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): If the plot you sold was held for more than 2 years, the profit is considered long-term capital gains (LTCG) and is subject to tax.
Tax Rate: LTCG on real estate is taxed at 20% with indexation benefit.
Reinvestment for Tax Saving: You can save tax by reinvesting the gains in a residential property under Section 54F of the Income Tax Act.
Can You Keep Rs 45 Lakh in a Savings Account?
No, if you intend to claim tax exemption under Section 54F, you cannot keep the balance amount in a savings account beyond the due date for filing your Income Tax Return (ITR).
If you don't invest in a residential house before filing your ITR, you must deposit the unutilized amount in a Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS).
You must use the CGAS amount within 3 years for house construction.
What Should You Do?
If You Are Constructing a House
Deposit Rs 45 lakh in a CGAS account before the due date of filing your ITR.
Use this amount within 3 years for house construction to claim full tax exemption under Section 54F.
If You Are Not Constructing a House
The Rs 45 lakh will be taxed as LTCG, and you must pay 20% tax (after indexation benefits).
Consider other tax-saving options, like investing in bonds under Section 54EC (with a 5-year lock-in).
Final Insights
If you plan to construct a house, deposit the Rs 45 lakh in a CGAS account before filing ITR.
If you don’t use this amount within 3 years, it will be taxed as LTCG in the year of expiry.
If you don’t want to construct a house, be ready to pay LTCG tax or invest in 54EC bonds for tax saving.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
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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Asked by Anonymous - Jul 21, 2023Hindi
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Dear Chokshi JI I have sold a residential property in Feb.2023 and have capital gain of about 15.00 lakh. To construct new house, I have already bought residential plot costing 9.00 lakh and sale deed registered in May,2023. The cost of Plot was meet out from the sale proceed of the residential property sold in Feb.23. Kindly advise whether I have to kept Rs.6.00 lakh (i.e.Gain15.00 lakh minus 9.00 lakh cost of Plot) in Capital Gain Account Scheme for the construction of House OR I have to kept whole money of Capital Gain i.e. Rs.15.00 lakh in the CGAS. How much Amount I have to show in the IT Return for AY 2023-2024 ?
Ans: As per the provisions of the Income Tax Act in India, if you have made a capital gain from the sale of a residential property and wish to claim exemption under Section 54F by investing in a new residential property, the following rules apply:

- You can claim exemption on the capital gains if you invest the entire amount of capital gains in a new residential property. In your case, the total capital gain is Rs. 15.00 lakh, and you have utilized Rs. 9.00 lakh to purchase the residential plot. To claim the exemption, you must utilize the entire Rs. 15.00 lakh amount for the construction of the new house.

- If you are unable to invest the entire capital gains amount before the due date of filing your income tax return (usually July 31st of the assessment year), you can deposit the unutilized amount in a Capital Gain Account Scheme (CGAS) before the due date to claim the exemption. In your case, if you haven't utilized the entire Rs. 15.00 lakh for purchasing the residential plot and construction has not yet begun, you must deposit the unutilized amount of Rs. 6.00 lakh in the CGAS.

- In your Income Tax Return for AY 2023-2024, you need to show the capital gains from the sale of the residential property, which is Rs. 15.00 lakh, and then claim the exemption under Section 54F for the amount utilized to purchase the residential plot and construct the new house (i.e., Rs. 9.00 lakh). Additionally, you should mention that the remaining Rs. 6.00 lakh is deposited in the CGAS for the purpose of constructing the new house to claim the complete exemption.

Please note that to avail of the exemption under Section 54F, you need to fulfill all the conditions mentioned in the section, such as not owning more than one residential house (excluding the new one) on the date of transfer of the original property and not purchasing any other residential property within a specified time frame.

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Real Estate is also another good option, but small funds cannot be parked in this segment.
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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10997 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 27, 2026

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If I have 1 crore financial crisis how I pay if i get one crore
Ans: You are thinking responsibly. Asking this question itself shows maturity and awareness. A sudden Rs 1 crore inflow during a financial crisis can solve the problem, only if it is handled with clarity and discipline.

» First understand the nature of the Rs 1 crore
– Is this money received as inheritance, insurance claim, bonus, business sale, or asset liquidation
– Is the crisis short-term (medical, business loss, job loss) or long-term (debt overload, income mismatch)
– Do not rush to use the full amount immediately

Clarity first, action later.

» Priority-based usage of the Rs 1 crore
– Medical emergencies should be settled immediately
– High-interest personal loans and credit card dues should be cleared first
– Business or income-stopping issues should be stabilised next
– Do not deploy money emotionally or under pressure

The aim is stability, not quick fixes.

» How to pay liabilities smartly
– Clear unsecured and high-cost debts fully
– Avoid closing long-term low-cost loans in one shot
– Keep sufficient liquidity for next 12 months
– Do not exhaust the full Rs 1 crore at once

Liquidity gives confidence during crisis.

» Protection before investment
– Ensure adequate health insurance is active
– Ensure sufficient pure life insurance cover
– Emergency fund must be parked safely

Without protection, another crisis can repeat.

» Where not to put this Rs 1 crore
– Do not put entire amount in equity at one time
– Do not chase high-return promises
– Do not lock full money in illiquid products
– Do not mix insurance and investment

Safety first, growth later.

» How to deploy the balance amount
– Keep part of money in low-risk instruments for stability
– Invest remaining amount gradually into equity-oriented options
– Use phased investing instead of lump sum
– Choose actively managed funds due to flexibility and downside control

Active management matters more during uncertain times.

» Tax awareness while using the money
– If you sell investments to manage crisis, tax may apply
– Equity short-term exits attract higher tax
– Plan withdrawals in a tax-aware manner
– Avoid unnecessary churn

Taxes silently reduce available money.

» Emotional discipline during crisis
– Crisis creates fear-based decisions
– Money received suddenly can disappear fast without plan
– Write down priorities before spending
– Review every big payment calmly

Money solves crisis only when mind is steady.

» Finally
– Rs 1 crore is a powerful support, not a permanent solution
– Use it to restore stability, not lifestyle
– Protect, stabilise, then grow
– A structured plan converts crisis money into long-term security

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10997 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 26, 2026Hindi
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Dear Sir, I do have decent exposure to Mutual fund investments, I am doing SIPs since 8-9 years however I am really clueless about future of Quants funds. I started SIPs in Quant Small and Mid fund from June 2024, both funds are in negative, appreciations are -8% and -15% respectively. I have Mid fund's SIP. Looking forward to you what to next, shall I continue Small Cap's SIP and keep Mid Cap in AMC for future appreciation or withdraw the fund.
Ans: You have done well by staying invested for 8–9 years. That itself shows discipline and patience. Temporary negative returns can shake confidence, but they do not erase your long-term effort. Your question is valid and many long-term investors are thinking the same.

» Understanding what is happening now
– You started these SIPs only from June 2024
– The investment period is still short
– Mid and small segments are more volatile
– Recent market corrections have hit these segments more

Negative returns in the first 1–2 years are not unusual in such funds.

» About strategy-driven funds and future visibility
– These funds follow a fast-changing investment style
– They may move sharply up and down
– Performance comes in phases, not steadily
– When the market does not suit the strategy, returns can stay weak

This does not mean the strategy has failed, only that the cycle is not supportive right now.

» Evaluating your small-cap SIP
– Small-cap investing needs long holding capacity
– Minimum useful horizon is 7–10 years
– SIPs during weak phases help lower average cost
– Stopping SIP after a fall usually hurts future returns

If this SIP is meant for long-term goals, it should continue.

» Evaluating your mid-cap investment
– Mid-cap funds usually recover faster than small caps
– Holding without SIP still allows recovery participation
– No urgency to exit just because current returns are negative
– Selling now converts temporary loss into permanent loss

Holding patiently is better than reacting emotionally.

» Should you withdraw now
– Withdrawing after recent decline locks in loss
– You miss recovery when the cycle turns
– Taxes may also apply depending on holding period
– Decision should be goal-based, not return-based

Exit only if the fund no longer fits your goal or risk level, not due to short-term pain.

» What you should do instead
– Continue SIP in small-cap if goal horizon is long
– Keep mid-cap investment and review annually
– Avoid frequent switching based on 6–12 month returns
– Ensure these funds are not too large a part of total portfolio

Balance and patience matter more than timing.

» Risk control and portfolio view
– Mid and small caps should not dominate portfolio
– Large and flexible equity styles add stability
– Debt and gold bring balance during equity stress
– Asset allocation should guide decisions, not fund performance

A calm structure reduces future stress.

» Tax angle to remember if you sell
– Equity selling within short term attracts higher tax
– Long-term gains above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxable
– Unplanned exits increase tax leakage

Tax should not be the main reason to stay or exit, but it must be considered.

» Finally
– Your investing habit is strong
– Current underperformance is a phase, not a verdict
– Staying invested usually rewards patience
– Review with a clear goal lens, not daily NAV movement
– Long-term wealth is built by staying calm during such periods

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10997 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 23, 2026Hindi
Money
Mujhe 100 crore ka fund 10 saal m bnane ke liye kya kya Krna chahiye jabki meri investment capacity 25000/- monthly hai
Ans: I appreciate your ambition and honesty. Big goals give direction in life. At the same time, financial planning works best when dreams are aligned with mathematical reality. This clarity will protect you from disappointment and wrong decisions.

» First, understand the gap between goal and capacity
– Your desire is Rs 100 crore in 10 years
– Your current investment capacity is Rs 25,000 per month
– This goal cannot be achieved through normal investing routes
– Even very high market returns cannot bridge this gap

This is not about lack of effort, but about scale.

» Why Rs 100 crore in 10 years is not realistic with SIP investing
– SIP works well for wealth creation, but needs time and higher capital
– Markets do not give miracle returns consistently
– Anyone promising such growth is misleading you
– Chasing such promises usually leads to losses or fraud

Being realistic is the first step to becoming truly wealthy.

» What Rs 25,000 monthly investment can actually do
– It can build strong long-term financial security
– It can help you reach crores over a longer time
– It can give freedom, stability, and dignity
– It can change your family’s financial future

This is powerful, even if it is not Rs 100 crore.

» If Rs 100 crore is your life dream, what must change
– Investment alone is not enough
– You need income growth, not just savings
– Business ownership, entrepreneurship, or equity participation is required
– Your earning capacity must multiply many times

Wealth of this scale comes from value creation, not SIPs.

» Where investing still plays an important role
– Investing protects and grows surplus money
– Mutual funds help compound wealth over time
– Actively managed mutual funds are suitable for disciplined growth
– SIPs build habit and long-term discipline

Investing supports wealth; it does not replace income growth.

» A practical and healthy approach going forward
– Continue SIP of Rs 25,000 consistently
– Increase SIP amount whenever income increases
– Focus on skill growth and career expansion
– Explore additional income streams carefully
– Avoid shortcuts and unrealistic return expectations

This path builds real and lasting wealth.

» What you must strictly avoid
– Avoid schemes promising guaranteed high returns
– Avoid trading or speculation to chase big money
– Avoid borrowing to invest for unrealistic goals
– Avoid comparing your journey with social media stories

Peace of mind is also wealth.

» Finally
– Rs 100 crore in 10 years is not achievable with Rs 25,000 monthly investment
– This truth protects you from financial harm
– Focus on increasing income and steady investing
– Build achievable milestones first
– Wealth is a journey, not a single number

If you stay disciplined, informed, and patient, your financial life will still be successful and stress-free.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...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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