Articles

Budget 2010-2011: Service Tax on Property / House / Apartments / Flats

Budget 2010 introduced service tax on construction of property by builders. What does it mean for you as a buyer? Would you have to pay Lakhs of rupees more? Find out what would be covered under this new provision.

Budget 2010-2011: More money for you due to Income Tax slab / bracket changes

This article tells you how much extra money you would get in your pocket because of the changes made in the personal income tax slabs in the Budget 2010-2011.

Back in India!

Always wondered what the MICR code in a cheque is, but didn’t know whom to ask?

Want to know the full form of MICR? Want to know the MICR code of any / all bank branches in India? Read on.

RaagVamdatt.com completes two years

RaagVamdatt.com completes two years of its existence today

One more avenue to buy mutual fund (MF) units – Stock Brokers

SEBI has announced that now MFs can be traded through stock exchanges. You would be able to buy them through stock brokers.

Interviewing Manish Chauhan from Jagoinvestor.com

Manish Chauhan writes about financial planning at Jagoinvestor.com. Here's his interview that I conducted through email.

RaagVamdatt.com gets featured in Mumbai Mirror – getting a very positive review

RaagVamdatt.com was recently reviewed in Mumbai Mirror, and received a very positive review

Launching India’s first Hindi website on Personal Finance and Financial Planning

I am delighted, and very proud to launch the Hindi version of “RaagVamdatt.com – Financial Planning Demystified”, called “RaagVamdatt.com – Aapka Paisa, Aapki Planning”. It is India’s first Hindi website on Personal Finance and Financial Planning.

An introduction to Universal Life Policy (ULP) for life insurance

Since IRDA has approved the introduction of ULPs, we can expect a flood of such products in the Indian market. Here is all you need to know about this type of life insurance policies.

Cost To Company or CTC salary: Understanding and Calculation

What is Cost to Company or CTC salary? How is it calculated? If your CTC package is so high, why do you get so little in hand? This article explains it all.

Restrictions on usage of ATMs of other banks

Although free third party ATM withdrawals were announced with much fanfare in April 2009, some restrictions are coming on such transactions from 15th October 2009. Read on for more details.

Interview published at RanjanVarma.com

I have recently been interviewed by Ranjan Varma of RanjanVarma.com. Check out the details.

Articles from RaagVamdatt.com published in Dignity Dialogue

Select articles from RaagVamdatt.com are now being published in Dignity Dialogue, a publication from the NGO Dignity Foundation.

Transparency in floating interest rate home loans – Customers to know changes in reference rate instantly

The Banking Codes and Standards Board of India (BCSBI) has asked its member banks to publish the reference rate to which its floating rate loans are tied. The banks have also been asked to publish any changes made to the reference rate.

7 factors you should consider before buying a second house

You already own a house, and are thinking of purchasing one more. Should you, or should you not? What are the things that you should keep in mind while taking this decision?

Interest rates are bottoming out – Want to take a loan? The right time is now!

The interest rates are near their bottom today, before they move up again. This is the right time to take a home loan, a car loan or any other long term loan. It also has implications of FDs that you might want to keep.

Blessed with a son – Rishi Vamdatt

Baby boy Rishi Vamdatt is here!

RaagVamdatt.com is up and running again

RaagVamdatt.com is back in action again after a brief downtime due to a technical glitch.

Highlights of the draft “New Direct Tax Code”

The draft “New Direct Tax Code” has been unveiled. And there are lots of proposals that should make you happy if implemented. Here are the salient features of the draft New Direct Tax Code.

Securities Transaction Tax (STT) not removed in budget 2009 – Good or bad for you?

The markets were hoping that STT would be abolished in this year’s budget. But it was not, and the markets weren’t happy. But is removal of STT good for you as an investor? Let’s find out.

Can’t find an ATM? Withdraw cash from a POS terminal using your debit card

RBI has now allowed withdrawal of cash using debit cards from POS terminals. You won’t have to look for ATMs any more!

Income tax filing season is over – Now play this “Split Stocks” game online and relax!

You are tired after all the hard work for filling and filing your income tax returns (ITRs). Now relax by playing this interesting online game!

Shopping online using a credit or debit card: Verified by Visa / MasterCard mandatory from 1st Aug 2009

To prevent online frauds, RBI has mandated that all online transactions using a credit card or a debit card should have an extra layer of security (a password) starting 1st Aug 2009.

Tax on gifts (Gift tax): When to pay, how much to pay and what is exempt

Gift tax is something that worries many of us. What is gift tax? When do we need to pay it? How much is the tax? Are any gifts exempt? Let’s find out.