Year-round tax strategy: Invest wisely, save consistently

Regarding financial health, there's no such thing as an off-season. Tax planning is a year-round commitment that ensures you're always on track to meet your financial goals rather than a frantic sprint to the finish line each year. It’s a systematic approach that uses tax-saving schemes to cement your financial stability and growth. Throughout the year, engaging in comprehensive tax planning strategies paves the way to making the most of your earnings and investments.

Different avenues to save tax under Section 80C

The financial landscape offers a variety of tax-saving schemes to leverage tax planning for individuals. These options offer a tax deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. However, it should be noted that these deductions are not available under the new tax regime.

Criteria	ELSS	NPS	ULIPs	Tax Savings FD	PPF
Returns	Market-linked	Market-linked	Market-linked	Fixed	Fixed
Risk	High	Moderate to high (Varies as per plan)	Moderate to high (Varies as per plan)	Risk-free	Risk-free
Lock-in	3 years	Until retirement (60 years)	Typically 5 years	5 years	15 years
Tax on gains/interest	10% LTCG tax above Rs 1 lakh	You can withdraw 60% of the total corpus tax-free, while the remaining 40% can be utilised for purchasing an annuity, which is subject to taxation	Tax-free if conditions are met under 10(10D)	Interest taxable	Tax-free

4 reasons why tax planning should be a year-round exercise

With diligent attention and smart allocation of resources, you can transform tax planning into a powerful tool for securing your financial future. A consistent, year-long approach to managing your taxes is essential.

1. No last minute hassles

Proactive investment in tax-saving instruments avoids the frantic rush as the fiscal year ends. Starting in April, you can begin with a SIP in an Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS). By investing early, you're not just getting ahead on your tax savings but also giving your investments more time to grow.

2. Avoid the risk of being out of funds

Staggering your investment throughout the year makes the process more manageable. Year-round contributions ensure you are never financially in a tight spot. By setting aside a fixed sum every month or quarter, you maintain a comfortable balance, thus avoiding the stress of finding a large sum at the end of the year.

3. Promoting financial discipline

A regular investment schedule encourages a disciplined approach. A monthly SIP in ELSS or contributions to an NPS or PPF can instil a habit of saving and ensure your investments are systematically spread throughout the year.

4. Harnessing the power of rupee cost averaging

Investing periodically in market-linked instruments like ELSS, NPS or ULIPs can average the purchase cost of units over time. By investing a fixed amount regularly, you buy more units when the price is low and fewer when the price is high, potentially leading to higher returns over the long run.

Also Read: Benefits of Tax Saver Fixed Deposits

Conclusion

It's vital to underscore the tax planning benefits of a well-thought-out, year-long strategy. By leveraging smart tax solutions, you can transform tax planning from a once-a-year event into an ongoing process that enhances your financial well-being. Each investment has advantages that collectively contribute to a robust tax-saving portfolio.

Hence, access the varied tax-saving options that cater to different financial goals, timeframes, and risk profiles. Axis Bank offers multiple tax saving options that can help you maximize your tax savings and achieve broader financial aspirations.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purpose only. The views expressed in this article are personal and do not necessarily constitute the views of Axis Bank Ltd. and its employees. Axis Bank Ltd. and/or the author shall not be responsible for any direct / indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risk, read all scheme related documents carefully. Axis Bank Ltd is acting as an AMFI registered MF Distributor (ARN code: ARN-0019). Purchase of Mutual Funds by Axis Bank’s customer is purely voluntary and not linked to availment of any other facility from the Bank. T&C apply.