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Medical Intern in Maharashtra: Should I File Income Tax Return?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 06, 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
Ishita Question by Ishita on Feb 05, 2025Hindi
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I am a UG medical student in Maharashtra, I am doing my internship currently with around 16k as stipend. They cut TDS from my stipend, so how do I file for return? Or should I have to file ITR? What is the next step here.

Ans: Filing an income tax return (ITR) is important. It helps you claim tax refunds and maintain financial records.

Your stipend is taxable if TDS is deducted. You should file an ITR to claim a refund if eligible.

Understanding Tax on Your Stipend
Your stipend is considered taxable income unless specifically exempted under law.

The hospital deducts TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) before paying you.

If your total annual income is below the basic exemption limit, you can claim a refund.

Steps to File Your ITR
1) Check Your Total Income
Your monthly stipend is Rs. 16,000.

Your annual stipend is Rs. 1,92,000 (Rs. 16,000 × 12).

The basic exemption limit is Rs. 2,50,000 for individuals below 60 years.

Since your total income is below this limit, you do not need to pay tax.

2) Collect Necessary Documents
Form 16 – If your hospital provided it, it will show TDS details.

Form 26AS – Download it from the income tax portal. It shows TDS deducted.

Bank Statements – These help verify stipend credits and other income sources.

3) File ITR Online
Visit the Income Tax e-filing portal (https://www.incometax.gov.in).

Choose ITR-1 (Sahaj) if your only income is stipend and bank interest.

Enter your income details from Form 16 and Form 26AS.

Claim a TDS refund if tax was deducted unnecessarily.

Verify the return using Aadhaar OTP or net banking.

Should You File an ITR?
You must file ITR if TDS is deducted and your income is below the taxable limit.

Filing ITR helps in getting a refund of excess tax deducted.

It also builds your financial history for future loans and credit approvals.

Final Insights
Your stipend is taxable unless exempted under law.

If TDS is deducted, file an ITR to claim a refund.

Keep financial records for future financial planning.

Regular tax filing helps in loan approvals, credit score, and investment planning.

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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I am 34, earning 15 LPA planning to retire at the age of 45. I want to invest 20 lakhs lump sum to generate corpus of 7 cr. Where and how should I invest?
Ans: To generate a corpus of Rs 7 crore by the time you are 45, starting with a Rs 20 lakh lump sum investment at 34, you need to consider the power of compounding, high-return investments, and disciplined portfolio management. Here's how you can structure your investments:
Key Assumptions:
1. Time Frame: 11 years (from age 34 to 45).
2. Required Corpus: Rs 7 crore.
3. Initial Investment: Rs 20 lakh.
To grow Rs 20 lakh to Rs 7 crore, the required annual return would be approximately 24% compounded annually. Achieving such high returns involves a significant degree of risk, so it's important to balance the portfolio carefully.
Investment Strategy:
1. Equity Mutual Funds (High Risk, High Return):
• Equity is the primary asset class to generate high returns over the long term. Historically, equity mutual funds can provide returns of around 12-18% annually, but this is subject to market performance.
• Suggested Funds:
o Large-cap funds: For stability and steady growth (e.g., HDFC Top 100 Fund, Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund).
o Mid-cap and Small-cap funds: Higher growth potential but more volatile (e.g., Axis Midcap Fund, Nippon India Small Cap Fund, Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund).
o Flexi-cap funds: These provide exposure to both large and mid-cap stocks (e.g., Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, HDFC Flexi Cap Fund).
• Allocation for Equity Funds: Around 70-80% of your lump sum (Rs 14 lakh - Rs 16 lakh) can be invested in equity funds, targeting high growth.
2. SIP Investments (For Dollar-Cost Averaging):
• While you have a lump sum, consider continuing SIPs in equity funds over the years to help with dollar-cost averaging (DCA), which reduces the risk of investing a lump sum at market highs.
• Start SIPs of Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 per month, targeting high-growth equity funds to further compound your wealth.
3. Hybrid Funds (Moderate Risk):
• To balance the portfolio, invest in hybrid funds, which include a mix of equity and debt. They can moderate volatility and provide steady growth.
• Suggested Funds: HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund, ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund.
• Allocation for Hybrid Funds: Around 10-15% (Rs 2 lakh - Rs 3 lakh).
4. Real Estate (Optional):
• If you have any plans of investing in real estate, a portion of your portfolio can be used here. Though real estate generally appreciates at a slower rate, it can be a good long-term investment. However, avoid allocating too much to it since real estate is illiquid.
• Allocation for Real Estate: Optional, but around 5-10% of the lump sum (Rs 1-2 lakh).
5. Debt Instruments (Low Risk, Capital Protection):
• While the primary focus should be on high-return equity, it's prudent to keep a small portion in debt funds or bonds for stability.
• Suggested Funds: HDFC Corporate Bond Fund, ICICI Prudential Liquid Fund.
• Allocation for Debt Instruments: Around 5% (Rs 1 lakh).
Expected Returns:
1. Equity Funds: Targeting returns of 15-20% annually.
2. Hybrid Funds: Targeting returns of around 10-12% annually.
3. Debt Funds: Targeting returns of 6-7% annually.
Tracking and Adjusting:
1. Monitor Portfolio: Review the portfolio every 6-12 months to ensure the investments are aligned with your goal. Consider reallocating based on market conditions.
2. Tax Considerations: Ensure tax efficiency by investing in tax-efficient funds and making use of tax exemptions (e.g., ELSS for tax saving under 80C).
3. Rebalancing: As your investment grows, shift gradually from high-risk assets (equity) to lower-risk assets (debt/hybrid) as you approach the target.
Potential Outcome:
Assuming you achieve the required return of 24% annually (through a combination of equities, SIPs, and compounding), your Rs 20 lakh investment can grow significantly by 45. However, the exact growth rate will depend on market performance, the consistency of returns, and your disciplined investment approach.
Conclusion:
Achieving a Rs 7 crore corpus from Rs 20 lakh in 11 years is ambitious but possible with a high-risk, high-return strategy. By focusing on equity mutual funds, balancing with hybrid and debt funds, and continuing SIPs, you can potentially achieve your goal. However, monitor the portfolio periodically and adjust your strategy based on market conditions and risk tolerance.

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I am 38, living with my parents who have savings of Rs 40 lakhs and monthly pension of Rs 15,000. I live in a house valued at 1.5 crore, a car and a corpus of 50 lakh. My annual salary is 15 lakh, my wife, 32, a teacher, earns 8 lakh per annum. Our daughter is 11 years and we have invested 30 lakh for her education. Will it be a good idea to retire at 48? Hopefully my daughter will be a graduate by then.
Ans: Retiring at 48 is an ambitious goal, especially given that your daughter will be in the later stages of her education at that time. However, it can be achievable with the right strategy, keeping in mind that both your current and future financial needs (such as your daughter's education, living expenses, and healthcare) should be carefully planned.
Key Financial Points:
1. Current Assets & Liabilities:
o Savings and investments: Rs 50 lakh corpus + Rs 40 lakh savings from your parents.
o House: Rs 1.5 crore (valuable asset, no immediate cash flow but provides stability).
o Car: An asset, though it depreciates.
o Monthly Pension: Rs 15,000 (provides additional cash flow).
2. Income:
o Your Salary: Rs 15 lakh per annum.
o Wife's Salary: Rs 8 lakh per annum.
o Total household income: Rs 23 lakh annually (pre-tax).
3. Daughter’s Education:
o You’ve already invested Rs 30 lakh for her education, which can cover part of her expenses, but you need to plan for the balance.
4. Retirement Goal:
o Retiring at 48 means you’ll need a substantial retirement corpus to cover your lifestyle expenses, especially since you plan to live without any active income.
o Estimate your monthly living expenses (post-retirement) considering inflation, healthcare, and contingencies.
Key Considerations for Retirement at 48:
1. Monthly Expenses Post-Retirement:
o Assuming your family needs Rs 60,000 per month (inflated from your current expenses) and an additional Rs 30,000 for health and emergency purposes, your annual expenses would be approximately Rs 10 lakh. This figure may rise over time due to inflation.
2. Corpus Needed:
o If you plan to live on Rs 10 lakh per year post-retirement, assuming a withdrawal rate of 4% (a standard guideline for sustainable withdrawals), you would need a retirement corpus of Rs 2.5 crore.
o If your daughter's education expenses require more funding, factor that in as well.
3. Current Assets & Future Growth:
o Savings Growth: Your Rs 50 lakh corpus can grow if invested well in equity mutual funds, stocks, or balanced funds (expected returns of around 10-12% p.a.).
o Parents’ Savings: The Rs 40 lakh savings from your parents can be used to generate returns in low-risk avenues like debt funds or fixed deposits, if they plan to support your retirement plans.
4. Planning for Future Education & Miscellaneous Expenses:
o Your daughter’s education will likely require more than Rs 30 lakh for her undergrad and possibly postgraduate education. Estimate the total requirement (say Rs 50-60 lakh for the complete course, including inflation) and plan for it.
5. Retirement Income Strategy:
o Pension or Annuity: Consider a monthly income plan or annuity products to ensure a steady stream of income during retirement. For example, a monthly annuity from your parents' corpus or part of your own corpus can provide financial stability.
6. Investment Strategy:
o Equity Mutual Funds: Start or increase SIPs in equity mutual funds (for long-term capital growth). Equity can provide high returns but also carries risk, so it’s ideal for long-term goals like retirement.
o Debt Funds: Consider shifting to debt or hybrid funds as you approach retirement to preserve capital.
o Real Estate: Your house is a valuable asset, and if you plan to sell or downsize in the future, it can be a key part of your retirement corpus.
Steps to Achieve Your Retirement Goal:
1. Increase Savings:
o Save a higher portion of your monthly salary towards retirement, even increasing your SIPs or contributions in the coming years. Aim to invest at least 30-40% of your combined income in SIPs or mutual funds.
2. Asset Allocation:
o Focus on equity funds for growth in the early years. As retirement nears, shift some of the corpus to safer instruments like debt funds or bonds.
3. Plan for Healthcare:
o Healthcare costs can significantly impact retirement. Ensure you have adequate health insurance for yourself and your family, considering long-term care as well.
4. Create a Contingency Fund:
o Have an emergency fund equivalent to 12-18 months of expenses to avoid dipping into retirement savings during emergencies.
5. Revisit Your Goal Periodically:
o Regularly check your progress and adjust your investments based on market performance, income changes, and any unexpected expenses (e.g., your daughter’s education needs).
Conclusion:
• Retiring at 48 is a feasible goal, but it will require diligent planning and a disciplined investment approach. Your savings and investments should aim to grow sufficiently over the next 10 years to generate a steady income stream, along with provisions for your daughter’s higher education.
• With careful asset allocation and savings growth, your goal of retiring by 48 and managing your family’s finances can be well within reach.

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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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