FY 2016-17 is about to over. We are left with only 4 days. Hopefully, you are feeling relax after completing tax saving exercise. Well, how prudently it is done is a debatable topic. However, if you have not yet completed your tax saving exercise and looking for last minute tax saving investment options you are at right place. In this post, I will be sharing 5 best Last minute tax saving investment options.
Everyone hate taxes. But the fact is there is no escape from it. Sooner or later you need to do tax planning. The more you delay, the more painful it gets. Let’s take one hypothetical example. Mr.X is particular about tax planning and investment. He starts tax planning with the beginning of every financial year and invest Rs. 50,000 in PPF on very first day of April month. On the other end, Mr.Y is last minute tax planner and he invests Rs.50,000 in PPF in every March. The story continues till 15 years of PPF maturity. At the maturity, Mr.X will get 14.66 Lakh and Mr.Y will get Rs.13.57 Lakh. (Assuming a return of 8% p.a). So, clearly Mr.X efficient tax planner will be a winner.
Also Read – How Salaried Person can maximise tax saving?
Learning from above example is one should start tax planning at the beginning. Never the less, if you have missed the train this year and not willing to believe on attractive tax saving advertisement and convincing sales pitch of the agents. Here are 5 Best Last minute tax saving investment options.
5 Best Last Minute Tax Saving Investment Options
ELSS
ELSS is one of the best tax saving investment option with shorter lock-in period and 100% tax exemption. The full name of ELSS is equity link saving scheme. ELSS is equity based tax saving mutual funds. The investment in ELSS is very easy.
Find out a best suitable ELSS tax saving scheme and invest in the scheme via fund house website or registered mutual fund agent/distributor. Chose the fund wisely look at historical return and rating given by CRISIL. Carry out good research before investing in ELSS.
Tax benefit ELSS – Up to 1.5 Lakh under 80C
Tax liability on Maturity – Exempted
Health Insurance
The second last minute tax saving investment option is health insurance. The cost of health expense is growing every day. If you have not purchased appropriate health insurance for you and your family, you should buy health insurance. A premium paid on health insurance is exempted from tax.
You can buy health insurance online with a click of a button. However, make sure that health insurance company does not impose a condition of pre-medical check before issuing a policy. Getting health insurance policy before 31st March is mandatory to claim tax benefits. You can get a tax benefit for the premium paid for family member including parents.
Tax benefit on health insurance – Up to Rs 25,000 and Rs. 30,000 for parents (Senior citizen) under section 80 D.
Also Read – Best Tax Saving Investment options
PPF
The third last minute tax saving investment option is PPF. The full form of PPF is public provident fund. PPF is small saving investment scheme backed by the government. The maturity period of PPF is 15 years. If your risk taking capacity is low, you can invest in PPF. The maximum amount that can be invested in PPF per year is 1.5 Lakh. The interest rate applicable on PPF account is declared by government time to time.
Tax benefit on PPF – Up to 1.5 Lakh under 80C
Tax liability on Maturity – Exempted
Tax Saver FD
Tax saver FD is an investment option for the conservative investors. Tax saver FD is offered by a bank. The lock-in period for tax saver FD is 5 years. Tax saving FD offers a fixed return. You can invest in tax saver FD online via transferring fund. However, very few banks offer online investment option for tax saving FD. You can get tax benefit up to 1.5 Lakh under 80C for investment in tax saver FD.
Tax benefit on Tax saver FD – Up to 1.5 Lakh under 80C
Tax liability on Maturity – Interest is Taxable
Term Plan
The last best tax saving investment option is online term plan. It is a financial security offered to your family. If you have not purchased term plan or if you are underinsured, you can buy an online term plan. The premium paid towards term plan is exempted from tax. It is advisable to go for online term plan as it is cheapest. Carry out research before buying a term plan.
Tax benefit on Term Plan – Premium amount up to 1.5 Lakh under 80C
Over to you –
Advance tax planning and investment always help investor. Tax planning is a continues process and it should be completed well in advance. Avoid last minute tax planning and last minute rush.
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