Tax Saving or Goal Accomplishments? What is on your Priority? – Finance Buddha Blog

Tax Saving or Goal Accomplishments? What is on your Priority? – Finance Buddha Blog

[ad_1]

It’s already April and most of us have submitted our proof of investments for tax saving under various sections of the Income Tax Act. But, do you know it’s not only the tax-saving that results in a healthier financial life but it is your investment plans and spending habits. This implies investing money at the right place is the most important thing, while tax saving is just one of the tools which can save some of your money. Here, one more important thing to note is, by investing only in tax-saving portfolios you can’t achieve bigger financial goals, as Tax Saving investments don’t give you good returns. So, it is always beneficial to first set a clear/realistic financial goal and then start investing in order to accomplish them.  

Additionally, having a pre-set financial goal helps you strategize your investments accordingly. This means to put things into perspective and enjoy a financially secure life – both tax planning and goal-setting are critical pillars of robust long-term financial planning and you can’t achieve one without another.  

Why is Goal Setting Important?

Goal-setting is a steady process of identifying and analyzing your requirements and them setting up various short, medium, and long-term goals. However, achieving these goals is not very easy and needs constant effort and practice. This can be done by managing finances and linking each goal to an appropriate investment portfolio.

While tax-saving investments are specially designed for maximizing disposable income or return on the aforementioned investments by taking advantage of the various tax deductions, exemptions, and exclusions awarded under several sections of the Income Tax Act.

Importance of Optimising Investment while Saving Taxes

Whether your goal is based on short-term requirements such as purchasing a car or purchasing some expensive gadget, or it is a long-term goal like purchasing a house or building retirement funds, it is important to choose the right investment portfolio that helps you to accomplish your desired goal. However, as per experts having a diversified portfolio is best as it not only helps you to gain maximum returns but also minimizes the risk involved. 

For example- investing in tax-saving investment benefits you to reduce your overall tax burden and also gives you returns which helps to achieve some of your goals. For example, section 80 C can help you reduce your taxable income by ₹ 1.5 lakh in a financial year for investments made in ELSS, PPF, ULIPs, life insurance plans, NSC, etc. Also, only a few know that they can reduce their tax liability by another ₹ 50,000 each year by investmenting in the National Pension Scheme (NPS), this exemption is under Section 80CCD (1B). 

Look Beyond tax-saving!

Most of the tax-saving investments have longer lock-in periods and even fail to provide higher returns. So, if you are focusing on tax-saving there are higher chances that you are not going to make enough money from your investment. But equity exposure, investment products such as ELSS, ULIPs, etc., mutual funds, shares are some of the investment options that tend to be the most preferred as they yield maximum profit.

This means if you want to make good returns from your investment you need to look over and above the popular investment choices and tax-saving ones. 

Other investment options such as mutual funds and equity are some which can yield you many returns in less time. But these investment options are subject to market risk and hence one should always invest in these portfolios if he/she thinks that they can take the risk.  

Let your needs drive your investment decisions

Well, the lust to get high returns should not be the only driving factor to decide your investment portfolio. It’s your needs that necessitate an investment decision and goals. 

For someone who is not making much money, the priority will be to fist have a health insurance and life insurance fist. This is because investing in these two policies can help his/her loved ones survive when he/she will not be around.

Whereas, for someone who is planning to buy a house in the near future, investing in shares, mutual funds can take them closer to their goal. However, investment in these portfolios should be done after the accomplishment of tax-saving. Another important thing here is before one invest they should analyze their risk tolerance. Whereas those who want to build retirement funds should focus on NPS, PPF and PLI which is a long-term investment with fixed returns and zero risks.

Both tax-saving and financial goal accomplishment are complementary strategies. Tax saving without goal-setting could result in inefficient money allocations. While goal-setting without tax planning will not allow you to gain maximum returns. However, the key to a financially secure future is-  to start early, plan your investments and then invest throughout the year, be aware of tax-saving investments and keep your goals in mind while investing.

Summary

Tax Saving or Goal Accomplishments? What is on your Priority?

Article Name

Tax Saving or Goal Accomplishments? What is on your Priority?

Description

Both tax-saving and financial goal accomplishment are complementary strategies. Tax saving without goal-setting could result in inefficient money allocations.

Author

Priyanka

Publisher Name

Finance Buddha

Publisher Logo



[ad_2]