Cover Story

Smart ways to manage your tax
Tax saving has evolved into tax planning. Learn how it changes your entire investment strategy. We guide you on smart ways to manage your tax in 2008.

2008-02-07

What volatility!

The Sensex fell 15% in 4 trading sessions. Latest crash has raised doubts about every lesson investors may have learnt. we take you through a quick refresher course.

Hitching a ride on the auto boom

Indag is India's No. 2 tread rubber brand available for a market capitalisation of only around Rs 50 crore, riding the country's automobile sector growth and widening road network.

Volatility. So What?

Despite dramatic movements in stock prices, you have little to fear if you stick to a strategy that keeps your portfolio steady. This is what we've been advising.Keep smiling | The golden rules of stock investing | Stocks to beat the market | Conquering volatility

Essar group back in business

Essar group is back in reckoning with stocks of its steel and oil ventures rising in the past three months.

Learning the art of making money

At today's price (Rs 4,980), Educomp's market cap is Rs 8,500 crore, which is about 300 times 2006-7 net profit that the company earned. For every rupee of billing that this company does, it's valued at Rs 80-odd.

Riding out volatility

Preferring not to fiddle with the portfolios, our fund manager instead identifies stocks that you and he could buy in the coming weeks.

Market Watch as on Jan 16, 2008

We scan dozens of research reports from investment houses every fortnight to present you the six most relevant stock recommendations.

Tax

The ABC of tax

If you don't know the difference between your salary income and your taxable income. In the strange world of taxation, it’s common to see assessees filling in reams of paper almost without knowing their A, B, C. Here’s our pick of a few essential tax concepts.

Tax-planning strategies

How can you take maximum advantage of the tax benefits available to you? Money Today takes a look at some strategies that could help you use tax planning tools more efficiently and effectively this year.

Timely refund is our priority: CBDT chairman

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ratneshwar Prasad tells Money Today why honest taxpayers should not fear the taxman and what is being done to improve services and compliance.

Is loan taken for renovation of a house eligible under Section 80C?

The repayment of the principal amount of a loan qualifies for deduction in both cases, that is, in case of a self-occupied house as well as a rented house, under Section 80C up to a maximum amount of Rs 1 lakh.

When the taxman cometh

Filed your returns? Now worry over refunds, possible errors, or worst of all—notices. Money Today tells you some of the most common kinds of trouble that can happen after you file your return and how to handle them.

Help at hand to file taxes

A growing number of taxpayers are finding that certified tax return preparers can help make filing tax returns less of an error-filled chore.

Filling up the tax return form

The new income tax return forms are more user-friendly than the earlier Saral. We explain the form and key new sections.

Query Corner

Is there an ideal savings ratio?

Whatever anyone may tell you, there is no one-fit-for-all savings ratio. Even giving a minimum figure is deceptive.

Expert View

Five common mistaken notions

Did you know that tax on interest earned on FDs and NSCs during the year is payable every year, even though you get it on maturity? Read on to know more.

Aam aadmi's wish list

An individual is still subject to a higher rate of tax than most corporates, and doesn't enjoy as many tax deductions.

Real Estate

Guwahati, gateway to the Northeast

The real estate market has grown gradually in the recent years, led by organised retail and residential projects.

Portfolio Doctor

Ignorance is not bliss

Lucknow-based businessman Satish Chandnani earns well but must get a better grip on his finances and invest aggressively in equities.

Talk Back

I want to learn about investing in mutual funds and shares

Our magazine has a regular section dedicated to equity investments including mutual funds and stocks. Our two model portfolios are very instructive for understanding the fundamentals of investing in stocks and funds.

Mutual Fund

Late entrant good pedigree

The Money Today-Plexus Management new fund evaluation analyses the HDFC Infrastructure Fund and brings you the report.

A bitter pill in your portfolio

Like IT, most pharma funds have underperformed in a booming market. What should the investor do right now — sell, hold or buy? Here are some answers.

Reliance Regular Savings way above the rest

Reliance Regular Savings returns were three times the category average in the past one year.

'Be an investor, not a trader'

The Vice-President—Equities of Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund shares with us his investment mantra.

Now and Then

Free speech

While prices of most services shot up, telecom services have become cheaper. Little wonder then that you no longer make STD calls with one eye on the clock.

In this MT Issue

Doctor editor

When not attending to patients, Dr Naren Aggarwal edits medical journals and magazines; and earns from both fields.

Technology

Technology that makes you tax-savvy

You don’t have to get your chartered accountant’s help for this—there are ready-to-use software packages that will do everything short of actually filing your return of income.There are also plenty of tax calculators online that will give you at least a rough idea of your tax liability.

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