Blog Archives - Stanford Capital

5 Smart ways to Repay Home Loan Faster : Strategies for Greater Financial Flexibility

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:33:30 +0000

ome loans are often the most significant financial commitments individuals make, stretching across decades. Early repayment can offer substantial financial freedom, reduce stress, and save on interest, allowing homeowners to allocate resources to other investments or savings.

However, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of early repayment against the potential returns from investing in avenues that might offer higher yields than the interest rate of the home loan. Given that home loans generally have lower interest rates compared to other types of loans, it might sometimes make sense to invest surplus funds rather than accelerate loan repayment.

If early repayment fits into your financial goals, here are five practical strategies to consider:

Lump-Sum Repayments with Bonuses

Utilising annual bonuses, tax refunds, or other lump-sum payments to reduce your principal can significantly decrease the interest burden and shorten your loan’s tenure. Even allocating a portion of unexpected windfalls towards your home loan can make a substantial difference over time.

The post 5 Smart ways to Repay Home Loan Faster : Strategies for Greater Financial Flexibility appeared first on Stanford Capital.

5 Tailwinds for a Smooth Retirement Journey in India

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:31:44 +0000

“Don’t retire from something, retire to something”

Retirement is a major transition in your life that can be both exciting and daunting. With more nuclear families, the traditional reliance on children for elder support is reducing and now retiring comfortably requires robust financial & retirement planning and utilisation of resources.

Fortunately, there are several helpful tailwinds at play that can make the retirement planning journey easier to navigate.
With proper retirement planning and foresight, retirees in India can look forward to a smooth and fulfilling next chapter.

This is where the right strategies and expert guidance can make all the difference in turning retirement into your most fulfilling life chapter. By leveraging key tailwinds early on, and getting professional advice, you can retire to an enriching second innings rather than just from a lifelong career.

Let’s look at 5 key strategies that are acting as tailwinds for Indian retirees in 2024 and beyond.

The post 5 Tailwinds for a Smooth Retirement Journey in India appeared first on Stanford Capital.

How to save capital gains tax with Section 54F: Rules, timeline, and other details for capital gains tax exemption

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:30:34 +0000

When you sell a long-term capital asset like land, gold, or shares, you are typically liable to pay capital gains tax on the profit earned. But what if you could legally save that tax by simply reinvesting the money into a residential house? That’s exactly what Section 54F of the Income Tax Act allows. It’s a highly beneficial exemption provision for individual taxpayers and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who wish to convert their gains into a home rather than paying taxes on it.

This blog explains everything you need to know about Section 54F, who can claim it, what conditions must be met, and how to go about it, without overwhelming you with jargon. Whether you’re a property investor, salaried professional, or NRI, this guide will help you understand how to make the most of this tax-saving opportunity.

The post How to save capital gains tax with Section 54F: Rules, timeline, and other details for capital gains tax exemption appeared first on Stanford Capital.

How to Report Capital Gains Correctly in Your ITR

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:28:48 +0000

ITR filing seems complicated especially when you have income from capital gains. However, with a clear understanding of the rules and types of capital gains, you can accurately file your return and maximise tax-saving opportunities. This guide will help you report capital gains correctly and explore tax planning strategies as per the Income Tax Act.

What Are Capital Gains?

Capital gains refer to the profit earned from selling assets such as:

Real estate (land, houses, etc.)
Stocks or mutual funds
Gold, jewellery, and other valuables
Bonds or financial instruments

The post How to Report Capital Gains Correctly in Your ITR appeared first on Stanford Capital.

How to Become SEBI Registered Investment Advisor: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:27:52 +0000

hrough a consultation paper it issued last year, SEBI acknowledged that India needs more RIAs (it was reported in august 2024 that there’s only 927 as per SEBI’s website).

This highlights the growing demand for qualified and registered investment advisors who can provide professional, ethical, and unbiased financial advice.

If you want to enter this field, it’s essential to understand how to become SEBI Registered Investment Advisor and comply with the regulatory requirements set by SEBI.

A SEBI Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is a financial professional authorized to offer investment advice, financial planning, and portfolio management in a fiduciary capacity.

Unlike mutual fund distributors or insurance agents, SEBI RIAs do not earn commissions from financial products but charge a fee for their advice.

In this guide, we will explain how to become SEBI Registered Investment Advisor, covering the eligibility criteria, registration process, documentation, compliance requirements, and the benefits of SEBI RIA registration.

The post How to Become SEBI Registered Investment Advisor: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Stanford Capital.

ITR-1 vs. ITR-2: Eligibility, key differences, which one should you file for FY 2024-25?

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:12:21 +0000

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) correctly is more than just an annual task, it’s a vital part of ensuring financial compliance and avoiding unnecessary scrutiny from the tax department. For individual taxpayers in India, ITR-1 (Sahaj) and ITR-2 are two of the most commonly used forms. While both cater to individuals without business income, their applicability depends on the nature and complexity of your income. Choosing the wrong form can lead to return rejection, delayed refunds, or even legal consequences.

This blog is a comprehensive comparison of ITR-1 and ITR-2 for the Assessment Year 2025–26, helping you decide which form applies to your income profile. We’ll break down eligibility rules, explore real-life examples, and clarify recent updates from the Budget 2024 and CBDT notifications to help you file with confidence.

Why should you choose the right ITR form?

Selecting the appropriate ITR form is not optional, it’s a legal requirement under the Income Tax Act. If you file your return using the wrong form, your return could be marked as defective under Section 139(9). You may then be asked to revise your return within a given timeframe. Failure to do so could lead to your return being considered invalid, possibly attracting penalties under Section 234F for late filing or even scrutiny from the Income Tax Department.

Moreover, the accuracy of the form used directly affects your refund timeline. Filing with the wrong ITR form might delay the refund process or raise compliance red flags. Therefore, it’s essential to understand your income sources and determine your eligibility before proceeding.

Who should file ITR-1 (Sahaj)?

ITR-1 (Sahaj) is a simplified Income Tax Return form meant for resident individuals with straightforward income sources. It is primarily designed for salaried employees, pensioners, and individuals earning interest from savings or fixed deposits. This form is ideal for those whose total income does not exceed ₹50 lakh and who have income only from salary or pension, one house property, and other sources such as bank interest. Its ease of filing and minimal disclosure requirements make it a popular choice among first-time filers, senior citizens, and individuals with single-source income.

However, ITR-1 is not applicable in certain cases. Individuals who are Non-Resident (NRI) or Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR), those with total income exceeding ₹50 lakh, or those having agricultural income above ₹5,000 are not eligible. Likewise, anyone with taxable capital gains (including long-term gains under Section 112A above ₹1.25 lakh), income from gambling or lottery, income from business or profession, or investments in unlisted equity shares cannot file ITR-1.

Who should file ITR-2?

ITR-2 is an Income Tax Return form meant for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who do not have income from business or profession, but deal with more complex or high-value income sources. Unlike ITR-1, which is limited to basic salary and interest income, ITR-2 caters to those with capital gains, multiple house properties, foreign income or assets, high-income levels, and more. It is commonly used by salaried individuals who invest in equity markets, NRIs with Indian income, or taxpayers who must report specific financial disclosures like unlisted shares or directorship in companies.

Despite being more comprehensive than ITR-1, the ITR-2 form allows for full and accurate disclosure of all income heads (except business income), deductions, exemptions, and foreign holdings.

The post ITR-1 vs. ITR-2: Eligibility, key differences, which one should you file for FY 2024-25? appeared first on Stanford Capital.