1. ELSS Funds
The introduction of the tax on long-term capital gains from equity funds has taken away a bit of the sheen of ELSS funds, but they still remain the best way to save tax. The 10% tax kicks in only on gains beyond Rs 1 lakh. Regular harvesting of capital gains can reduce the liability to a great extent.There are other problems though. Equity markets were volatile last year and 2019 may not be any different. The economy has slowed down and there is a general election coming up. This should not worry long-term investors who stagger their purchases and average out their costs through monthly SIPs. But the SIP window has closed for taxpayers who have to show proof of Sec 80C tax-saving investments in a few days.
“A lot of taxpayers are eager to invest in ELSS funds but we don’t want them to invest recklessly. If a first-time investor loses money, he is scarred for life and may decide to stay away from equities for years,” says Shweta Jain, CEO and Founder, Investography a Bengaluru-based financial advisory frim. Her advice to taxpayers: Do not put a large sum into ELSS funds at one go, stagger it over 2-3 tranches before the 31 March deadline.
It is important to note that not all ELSS funds carry the same risks. Some allocate more to small- and mid-cap stocks, while others stick with stable large-cap stocks. We classified ELSS funds into three broad sub-categories (see tables). Choose the one that best suits your risk appetite.
The best ELSS funds
TURBO-CHARGED
Small-caps account for over 10% of their portfolios. These funds can be risky but also very rewarding.
FUND NAME | 3-YEAR RETURNS (%) |
Principal Tax Savings | 12.59 |
Aditya Birla SL Tax Relief 96 | 12.48 |
L&T Tax Advantage | 12.14 |
IDFC Tax Advantage | 11.98 |
MODERATELY AGGRESSIVE
More than 25% of their corpus is in mid- and small-cap stocks. Expect good growth if you can stomach calculated risks.
FUND NAME | 3-YEAR RETURNS (%) |
Mirae Asset Tax Saver | 19.06 |
Motilal Oswal Long-Term Equity | 14.26 |
Axis Long-term Equity | 12.38 |
DSP Taxsaver | 12.13 |
STABLE GROWTH
With more than 75% in large-cap stocks, these funds will be relatively less volatile.
FUND NAME | 3-YEAR RETURNS (%) |
JM Tax Gain | 13.51 |
Invesco Tax Plan | 12.67 |
Tata Tax Savings | 11.3 |
Franklin India Taxshield | 9.5 |
Data as on 3 Jan 2019; all are direct plans Source: Value Research
ELSS funds have a lock-in of three years, the shortest among all tax-saving options. This is a godsend for taxpayers like Delhi-based Navdeep Singh who is facing a temporary cash crunch but needs to show proof of investment to his employer by 15 January. Singh can redeem his ELSS funds that are out of the three-year lock-in and reinvest the proceeds to claim a tax deduction this year.
2. National Pension Scheme
Return: 10.84% for the past five years
Our ratings: 5 stars
The NPS jumped to second place this year because of changes in investment and tax rules. Firstly, the entire 60% of the corpus that can be withdrawn at the time of retirement will be tax-free. Till now, only 40% of this withdrawn amount was tax free, while the remaining 20% was taxed. “The tax exemption on the 60% that can be withdrawn at the time of maturity is a big step forward,” says Archit Gupta, CEO, Cleartax.com, a tax-filing portal.
Secondly, investors can now allocate up to 75% to equities in the active choice option of the NPS. Till last year, the maximum allocation in the active choice was 50%. The aggressive auto choice started with 75% allocation to equities but progressively brought it down every year. Another important change is that you can remain invested in the scheme till the age of 70 and stagger your withdrawals.
How NPS funds have performed
In the longer term, all investors have earned double-digit returns
Returns have been blended on the basis of the asset mix chosen by the investor Returns as on 3 Jan 2019; Source: Value Research
Experts say investors can expect better returns from NPS than pure debt products such as PPF or bank deposits. While the higher exposure to equities can help, even those with a balanced portfolio or a small exposure to equities can expect good returns (see table). The equity and bond rallies helped the NPS churn out good returns in the past few years. Though the near-term picture for aggressive portfolios does not look very attractive, all investors in NPS have earned double-digit returns in the past five years.
NPS can help save tax under three different sections. Firstly, contributions of up to Rs 1.5 lakh can be claimed as deduction under the overall Section 80C. Secondly, there is an additional deduction of up to Rs 50,000 under Section 80CCD(1b). Thirdly, if the employer puts up to 10% of the basic salary of the individual in the NPS, that amount will not be taxable.
3. Public Provident Fund
Interest rate: 8% for Jan-Mar 2019
Ratings: 4 stars
Small savings rates are linked to government bond yields in the secondary market. PPF rates were hiked in October 2018 after a sustained rise in bond yields. However, though bond yields subsequently came down in the third quarter of 2018-19, PPF rates have remained unchanged. Advisers say that PPF remains a good bet because the interest is tax-free, giving the small savings scheme a distinct advantage over fixed deposits.
The interest from fixed deposits is fully taxable, which brings down the returns to barely 5% in the highest tax bracket. Advisers also warn against bingeing on fixed income instruments. “Your tax-saving investments should take into account your overall debt component. If you already contribute to the Provident Fund, there is little utility in investing more in a fixed income option,” says Sudhir Kaushik, Co-founder, Taxspanner.com, a tax filing portal.
The PPF scores are high on safety, flexibility, and ease of investment. An account can be opened in a post office branch or designated branches of PSU banks. Some private banks also offer the facility to invest in the PPF. You should opt for a bank that allows online access to the PPF account.
4. Senior Citizens’ Saving Scheme
Interest rate: 8.7% for Jan-Mar 2019
Our ratings: 4 stars
The Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme (SCSS) was already the best tax-saving option for those above 60, but last year’s Budget made it more attractive by offering senior citizens an additional Rs 50,000 exemption on interest income. This means that the overall tax exemption for senior citizens above 60 is now Rs 3.5 lakh and for very senior citizens above 80 is Rs 5.5 lakh.
The 8.7% offered by the SCSS is the highest among all small savings schemes. Only IDFC Bank is offering a higher rate of 8.75% to senior citizens on its five-year tax-saving fixed deposits. The tenure of SCSS investment is five years, which is extendable by another three years. However, there is a Rs 15 lakh overall investment limit per individual.
Also, the scheme is open mostly to investors above 60. In some cases, where the investor has opted for voluntary retirement and has not taken up another job, the minimum age is relaxed to 58 years. According to a finance ministry notification dated October 3, 2017, the minimum age limit for investing in SCSS for retired defense personnel (excluding civilian defense employees) has now been fixed at 50 years. They also need to satisfy other requirements as per the scheme rules.
5. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
Interest rate: 8.5% for Jan-Mar 2019
Our ratings: 4 stars
For taxpayers with a daughter below 10 years, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a good way to save. The interest rate is linked to the government bond yield and is subject to change every quarter. It will be 8.5% till March and could change in April, though it seems unlikely that the government will cut rates a month before the general elections in May.
The Sukanya scheme offers a higher rate than the PPF. Just like the PPF, the interest earned is tax-free and there is an annual cap of Rs 1.5 lakh on the investment. Accounts can be opened in any post office or designated banks with a minimum investment of Rs 250. A parent can open an account for a maximum of two daughters, but the combined investment in the two accounts cannot exceed Rs 1.5 lakh in a year. The best part is that the account is opened in the name of the child and the maturity proceeds have to be used for her education and marriage.
6. ULIPs
Return: 8-14% for the past five years
Our ratings: Three stars
Ulips came into focus again last year after the Budget introduced tax on long-term capital gains from stocks and equity funds. Distributors and insurance companies were quick to point out that income from Ulips is completely tax-free under Sec 10(10d). Even before the tax on capital gains was announced, Ulips had a distinct tax advantage over mutual funds. Ulips not only offer equity funds but also debt and liquid fund options to investors.
Switching from equity to debt or vice versa does not have any tax implications. Short-term gains from debt funds and income from fixed deposits are taxed at the marginal rate while long-term capital gains from debt funds are taxed at 20% after indexation. But income from Ulips is tax-free. “Whether you make short-term or long-term gains from equities or debt, it is all tax-free,” says a spokesperson of Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance.
Insurance companies claim that this makes Ulips an effective rebalancing tool and a one-stop-shop for all financial needs. But before you decide to buy a Ulip, take a short test (see: Your Ulip checklist) to know if it is the right choice. After all, a Ulip is a long-term investment and you could get stuck with an unsuitable investment for 8-10 years. Closing the plan before the term will lead to surrender charges.
The bad press they have received in the past has created a negative perception of Ulips. And for good reason too. Though Ulips are no longer toxic investment products, wealth managers and relationship executives in banks continue to mis-sell them. The mis-selling becomes worse in the last quarter of the year when taxpayers are running around trying to meet the deadline.
The new Ulips launched by insurance companies are low on costs and compete with direct plans of mutual funds on charges. “The Ulip cost structure has been rationalized and the charges are very low,” says financial planner Priya Sunder. While equity Ulip plans earned nearly 14% in the past five years, debt-based plans earned 7-8%. Keep in mind that some of the charges of Ulips are not deducted from the NAV so the investors’ return may be even lower.
Opt for a child plan
Given the spiraling cost of education and education inflation of around 10%, it makes sense to invest aggressively to ensure you don’t fall short of funds when your child is ready for college. However, what happens if something untoward happens to the parent? His mutual fund SIPs will stop when he passes away. If you are looking at securing your child’s long-term goal, even if you are not around, opt for a child Ulip. These plans waive the premium if the parent dies and continue to invest in the policy. This ensures the continuation of the investment until the financial goal is reached. So the basic purpose of the investment is not lost.
7. Pension Plans
Return: 8-10% for the past five years
Our ratings: Three stars
The growing popularity of the NPS has eclipsed the pension plans from insurance companies. Insurance companies are hoping that the Budget will provide a level playing field for these plans. Right now, investors in NPS get an additional deduction of Rs 50,000 for contributions under Sec 80CCD(1b).
More tax can be saved by contributing through the employer. However, pension plans from insurance companies are not eligible for these deductions. Though this is unfair for the industry, it is unlikely that the government will extend a benefit that pits these pension plans against the government-sponsored NPS.
There are other problems too. Unlike the new Ulips, whose charges have come down significantly, the pension plans from insurance companies are still not that cheap. They have high charges compared with the ultra-low-cost NPS. Besides, like Ulips, these pension plans have opaque structures and many of the charges are not very clearly explained to the buyer.
One big problem with pension plans (and the NPS as well) is that the pension from the annuity is fully taxable as income. Since the pension from an annuity is a mix of the principal and the gain, the investor ends up paying tax on the principal portion as well. Insurance companies believe that the tax treatment of annuities and pension income is one of the main reasons why people don’t invest in pension plans.
8. NSCs
Interest rate: 8% for Jan-Mar 2019
Our ratings: Two stars
The best thing about these instruments is that unlike an insurance policy or a pension plan, the National Savings Certificates (NSCs) do not require a multi-year commitment. So, it is a good option for those who don’t have time to study the features of a plan or look up the most promising ELSS funds. The interest rate of the NSCs has been left unchanged this quarter. At 8%, it is a good option for those who just want to invest in a hurry and forget. Given that bank deposit rates are close to 7.5%, the NSCs are marginally better than fixed deposits.
The interest earned on the NSC is also eligible for deduction under Section 80C in the following years. Here’s how this works. Suppose an investor buys Rs 50,000 worth of NSCs in January 2019. One year later, the investment would have earned an interest of about Rs 4,000. The investor can claim a deduction for this Rs 4,000 for the year 2019-20. The next year, the investment would earn about Rs 4,300 in interest. This can be claimed as a deduction in 2020-21.
This is especially useful for investors in the 5% tax bracket who are not able to fully exhaust the Rs 1.5 lakh investment limit under Sec 80C. The tax deduction available on the interest effectively makes the NSC tax free for such investors. What’s more, the certificates can be used as collateral for loans.
These NSCs are also suitable for senior citizens who want to play it safe but have exhausted the Rs 15 lakh limit of the Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme. Since there are no such restrictions in NSCs, they can use this instrument to save tax. The only problem is that NSCs are only available at banks, which is quite discouraging in these times of automation and digital transactions.
9. Bank FDs
Interest rate: 7.5-8.25% current
Our ratings: Two stars
Deposit rates have risen in recent months, making bank deposits attractive. Tax-saving bank fixed deposits are a good choice for those who may have left their tax planning for the last minute and are now running around searching for the best investment option.
Though the interest rates are not as high as small savings instruments, these deposits offer the convenience of online banking. If someone has to show the proof of investment this week, all he has to do is log on to his Netbanking account. A few clicks of the mouse is all it takes to invest in a tax-saving fixed deposit.
The best tax-saving FDs
Even these rates are low compared to small savings schemes and interest is taxable.
BANK | Interest (%) Regular Taxpayers | Interest (%) Senior Citizens |
IDFC Bank | 8.25 | 8.75 |
AU Small Finance Bank | 8.00 | 8.50 |
Lakshmi Vilas Bank | 7.75 | 8.35 |
DCB Bank | 7.75 | 8.25 |
RBL Bank | 7.60 | 8.10 |
This is possible 24×7 and from anywhere. Even if the bank has closed for the day or the investor has to go out of town, he can easily open a fixed deposit using Netbanking. Senior citizen taxpayers who don’t want to stand in a queue in a post office will also find this useful.
But there is a high price to be paid for this convenience. The interest earned on bank deposits is fully taxable, which brings down the post-tax return for those in the higher income bracket. Please note that you cannot invest in a fixed deposit in somebody else’s name using your Netbanking account.
10. Insurance
Return: 5% for 20-yr plan
Our ratings: One star
Life insurance policies are once again at the bottom of our ranking of tax saving options. Life insurance is critical because it helps protect the goals of the individual even if he is not around. But we believe a pure protection term plan can serve this purpose better and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional endowment policy or a money-back plan.
Unfortunately, parents are the worst culprits when it comes to insurance policies. Their perception of the investment landscape is based on their own experience rather than the ground realities. As soon as children start earning, a parent will force them to buy a traditional insurance policy.
Some people even buy one as a gift. They pay the first premium and then the child has to continue for the rest of the term. This gift becomes a millstone around the neck of the recipient, yielding measly returns of 4-5% even though better options are available.
Traditional policies are not able to offer the insurance cover that a person actually needs. Experts say one should have a cover of at least 6-8 times his annual income. So, someone earning Rs 50,000-60,000 a month at the age of 30 should have a life insurance cover of roughly Rs 40-50 lakh.
An endowment plan offering a cover of Rs 40-50 lakh will cost the buyer almost Rs 4-5 lakh per year. This is nearly 60-70% of his total income. However, a term cover for Rs 1 crore will cost him just Rs 7,000-8,000 a year, which will be only 1% of his income. Keep this math in mind when you go shopping for a tax-saving instrument this year.