Knowledge Center
Personal finance, explained in plain English - no jargon, no fluff. Every guide is dated so you know it's current, and every one ends with a way to ask Laalaji about your own numbers.
Capital Gains Tax on Stocks and Mutual Funds: The Basics
How long you hold an investment determines whether a gain is 'short-term' or 'long-term' - and the two are taxed very differently. The holding-period rule matters as much as the profit itself.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026 Indian TaxationCommon ITR Filing Mistakes That Trigger a Notice
Most tax notices aren't about deliberate evasion - they're triggered by mismatches between what you declared and what your Form 26AS/AIS already shows the department, or a wrong ITR form for your income type.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026 Indian TaxationCommon Tax Deductions Beyond 80C: 80D, HRA, and More
80C isn't the only deduction available under the old regime - 80D (health insurance), HRA, and home loan interest often add up to more than people realise.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026 Indian TaxationGST Basics: What You're Actually Paying and Why
GST is a single indirect tax that replaced a tangle of older central and state taxes, charged at 0%, 5%, 18%, or 40% depending on the item - the rate you see baked into a bill isn't arbitrary, it's set by the GST Council.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026 Indian TaxationHow Advance Tax Works (And Who Actually Needs to Pay It)
If your estimated tax liability for the year exceeds ₹10,000 after TDS, you're expected to pay tax in instalments through the year, not just at filing time - missing an instalment triggers interest, not just a delay.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026 Indian TaxationOld vs. New Tax Regime: How to Choose
The old regime has more deductions but higher slab rates; the new regime has lower slab rates but far fewer deductions. The right choice depends on how much you actually claim in deductions - run both numbers, don't guess.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026 Indian TaxationTax on Freelance and Side-Gig Income in India
Freelance and side income is taxable like any other income, but a presumptive taxation scheme can let eligible freelancers and small businesses pay tax on a flat percentage of receipts instead of tracking every expense.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026 Indian TaxationTDS on Sale of Property: What Buyers and Sellers Both Need to Know
If you buy a property worth ₹50 lakh or more, you - not the seller - are responsible for deducting 1% TDS on the sale value and depositing it with the government, using Form 26QB, before the balance payment reaches the seller.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026 Indian TaxationThe Income Tax Filing Calendar: Key Dates You Shouldn't Miss
Most individual taxpayers must file by July 31; those requiring a tax audit get until October 31 - filing after either date is still possible as a belated return, but with real downsides.
Last verified 14 Sep 2026