It's that time of the year again! When everybody's in the holiday spirit, you might be taking a family vacation to reward yourself after a long year's work, and let's not forget – this is also tax-saving time.

If you are a salaried individual, your company is probably going to ask for your investment proofs for this year right about now. Most people stop at giving proof of their Section 80C investments. But there are a few more things that you can consider. Let's see what these are.

 

1. Infrastructure Bonds: Section 80CCF
   
   You must have seen the hoardings lately. IDFC, IFCI and other companies are advertising their infrastructure bonds, which give you tax relief under Section 80CCF and enable you to in your own way, contribute towards building the infrastructure of the country.
   Investments of up to Rs. 20,000 in these bonds qualifies for tax deduction.
   These bonds are launched by companies including IDFC, L&T, IFCI, IIFCL and other NBFCs classified as infrastructure companies.
   
   If you are in the 30.90% tax bracket, then investing in an infrastructure bond will save you up to Rs. 6,180 this year. With this tax amount saved, the yield on these bonds goes up significantly. This is a definite consideration from a tax saving point of view. For more details on which infrastructure bond to invest in, do have a look at our article on REC Infra Bond - 80 CCF . You have until March 31st, 2011, to invest in any infrastructure bond, but do note that the interest rate offered right now is quite attractive, and will most likely not get any higher than it is right now, so don't wait.
    
2. Save tax through your home loan (Section 80C, Section 24)
   
   If you have a home loan right now, you're probably feeling the pinch of the high interest rates through your EMI. But, there's a beautiful silver lining to your home loan, and that's how its helping you save on tax.
   
   The laws of our country are such that if you have taken a home loan on a house that you are living in i.e. a self occupied property, you are eligible for a Rs. 1 lakh deduction under Section 80C on the principal repayment of your home loan, and a Rs. 1,50,000 deduction under Section 24 of the interest repaid.
   
   But, apart from this, if you have taken a home loan on a house that you have given out on rent i.e. a let out property, then your tax benefits are much higher! You get the same principal deduction as a self occupied property, but here your interest repaid is fully and completely deductible! There is no limit on interest repaid on a let out property.
   
   Make the most of either of these 2 situations and you can save a hefty amount of tax, which you can promptly invest towards your retirement. For more information on this, do check out our tutorial on Saving Tax through House Property.
    
3. Know how to use your short term capital gains loss
   
   If you, like most investors, also trade in shares, and have made some losses this year, you can set off these losses against any gains that you have made.
   
   The divisions are as follows:
   Short Term Capital Loss can be set off against Short Term Capital Gains, or Long Term Capital Gains. Long Term Capital Loss can be set off only against Long Term Capital Gains. So For example, if you have made a short term capital loss on direct equity, and made a gain on Gold ETFs or even physical gold, or perhaps a gain made on property, you can set off the losses against the gains. Please do speak with your CA for more details on this as the rules are very specific, and save more tax this year.
    
4. How to save tax through salary allowances i.e. HRA, LTA, Medical Expenses
   
   If you look at your salary slip, you will see certain amounts each month stats as HRA (House Rent Allowance) and LTA (Leave Travel Allowance).
   
   These sub divisions in your salary are there to help you save tax.
   If you are living on rent, then you can claim HRA by showing your rent payment receipts. Remember, the HRA rules allow you to claim only a certain amount of HRA which is the least of the following:
    
   1. Rent paid less 10% of your basic
   2. 50% of your basic (if you live in a metro) or 40% if you live in a city other than a metro
   3. Actual HRA received
       
   This is an excellent way to save tax. So if you are living on rent, you must use it.
   
   Similarly, your LTA allows you to save tax as well. If you have taken a holiday or plan to take a holiday before March ends, you can claim your travel expenses (only travel, not stay and food) within a limit as set by your employer and within certain rules as set by the Government of India. For details on how to save tax using LTA, please see our tutorial on How To Save Tax in your Salary.
   
   Everybody has medical expenses and what's great is that you can use these regular medical expenses to save tax. This depends on the salary structure decided by your company. Some companies offer a reimbursement of medical expenses up to Rs. 15,000 per year. Others include it as a part of your salary structure which you receive every month, and you can present bills up to Rs. 15,000, which will be tax deductible under Section 17(2).
    

Next week, we will talk more about how to save tax, and see how forming an HUF can help you to save tax as well. For now, do be sure to make use of the above mentioned points and submit your investment proofs on time.

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gdiincome123@gmail.com Jan 17, 2012 Tax saving investments and good to make some investments which has a little bit compulsory nature. If there is no such tax saving facility, 50% of people will not turn to invest this money. So it is good to stimulate the investment habit.
538yr699gby@mail.com Mar 18, 2014 Thank you so much! I'm so glad it arrived safely! You are the first person who has told me they received it hooray! Seems fitting somehow that the first one to arrive went to the city where I arrived into this world heehee (I peeked at your order details!)
septimodia@aol.com May 11, 2012 One note:You are getting too much taken out in taxes each pay period.This year, increase your number of with holdings.This way you get more money in your pocket each pay period.What you are doing is giving uncle sam and interest free loan all year long.Most people try to get as close to 0 as possible.You'll notice that the wealthier people like to pay taxes at tax time.That way YOU get the interest free loan.Your bank should be able to give you cash for that card.No need to go to a cash advance place.Don't ever make this mistake again.Why would anyone ever give the govt an interest free loan.Keep the money for yourself all year round this year./

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