Personal Finance

Budget 2026: Middle-class taxpayers, seniors look for relief on tax slabs, simple tax filing process

For the salaried class, one of the biggest hopes from Budget 2026 is an increase in the basic exemption limit under the old tax regime, along with a higher standard deduction. Taxpayers opting for the new regime, meanwhile, are seeking further rationalisation of slabs, with a strong push to raise the 30 per cent tax bracket to incomes of Rs 30 lakh or more.

A major proposal gaining traction is a revision of the highest tax slab. Currently, the 30 per cent rate applies from Rs 24 lakh, but many stakeholders are advocating for this threshold to be raised to Rs 40–50 lakh.

Silver’s record rally fuels bubble debate: Should investors step back as prices hit new highs?
Early exits overtake maturity payouts as mis-selling concerns rise in life insurance sector, shows RBI data
Sovereign Gold Bond early redemption opens for SGB 2020–21 Series X, returns top 175% as gold hits Rs 1.46 lakh

Investment

As per experts, renewed trade tensions are weighing on the U.S. dollar, providing fresh momentum to the rally in gold and silver.

Silver’s record rally fuels bubble debate: Should investors step back as prices hit new highs?

The SGB 2020–21 Series X was issued in January 2021 at a price of approximately Rs 5,117 per unit.

Sovereign Gold Bond early redemption opens for SGB 2020–21 Series X, returns top 175% as gold hits Rs 1.46 lakh

high effective tax rates and regulatory mismatches are making traditional investment routes unattractive for overseas Indians.

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Crucially, India does not mine silver in any meaningful quantity. This leaves the country almost entirely dependent on imports to meet rising demand.

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Market participants note that gold and silver typically perform well during periods of elevated uncertainty. Analysts also point to strong structural drivers supporting the rally.

Gold, silver hit fresh record highs as tariff threats and geopolitical risks fuel safe-haven rush

For Indian investors, access to these global ETFs is possible through platforms that enable overseas investing under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme.

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Gold has delivered a year-to-date gain of 5.16% in just the first two weeks of 2026, silver has outshone gold by rising more than 15%.

Gold, silver at record highs: Is the rally signalling risk? What it means for equities and your portfolio

Gold has delivered a year-to-date return of over 5 per cent in just the first fortnight of 2026. Silver has risen more than 15 per cent.

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Domestic brokerage Motilal Oswal said the bullish momentum in precious metals is set to carry forward into 2026, with silver and gold both projected to scale new highs.

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Physical gold, jewellery, coins and bars, and digital gold often appear safer and simpler, but can quietly erode returns.

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Insurance

Early exits overtake maturity payouts as mis-selling concerns rise in life insurance sector, shows RBI data

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Tax

Budget 2026: Middle-class taxpayers, seniors look for relief on tax slabs, simple tax filing process

He also flagged timing as a critical but commonly overlooked factor in GST compliance.

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Salary processing is no longer viewed as a clerical function. It is becoming a control function. Employers are now expected not just to collect declarations, but to verify them.

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Under Indian tax law, ESOPs are taxed as salary perquisites at the time of exercise, based on the difference between the fair market value of shares on the exercise date and the exercise price.

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Under Indian tax rules, short-term capital losses (STCL) can be adjusted against both short-term and long-term gains.

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With the new tax regime phasing out most deductions, the standard deduction has emerged as the key relief for taxpayers. Experts say there is room to raise it further

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Investment

Silver’s record rally fuels bubble debate: Should investors step back as prices hit new highs?

Sovereign Gold Bond early redemption opens for SGB 2020–21 Series X, returns top 175% as gold hits Rs 1.46 lakh

Big India returns, bigger tax shock: Why NRIs are losing money on investments

Silent silver squeeze: How India’s renewable energy drive is tightening global supplies

Gold, silver hit fresh record highs as tariff threats and geopolitical risks fuel safe-haven rush

Investing in copper: How EVs, renewables and infra are reshaping the metal’s future - 3 top ETFs

Gold, silver at record highs: Is the rally signalling risk? What it means for equities and your portfolio

Gold at Rs 1.43 lakh, silver at Rs 2.9 lakh: Is it safe to invest in precious metals right now?

Silver at $100, gold at $5,000? Why experts think the milestones may come sooner in 2026

Investing in gold? How taxes can wipe out 30–50% of your returns if you choose the wrong form

Retirement Planning

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Early exits overtake maturity payouts as mis-selling concerns rise in life insurance sector, shows RBI data

Robust economic growth, digitisation to drive India's insurance premium expansion: Moody’s

Union Budget 2026: Insurance industry calls for tax breaks, reforms to reach 'Insurance for All'

Bima Kavach and Protection Plus: LIC rolls out to offer enhanced cover and payment flexibility

Rising dengue and lifestyle diseases push Indians toward higher health insurance cover, shows report

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