Save more in 2019! PPF vs ELSS: Which investment option is better?
Puiblic Provident Fund (PPF) and Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) are two popular schemes that give handsome returns and save taxes. A contribution of up to Rs 1.5 lakh a year under these products qualify for tax deduction under Section 80C.
There are number of investment options available in the market but an investment should not only give better returns, it should save tax. Puiblic Provident Fund (PPF) and Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) are two popular schemes that give handsome returns and save taxes. A contribution of up to Rs 1.5 lakh a year under these products qualify for tax deduction under Section 80C. Financial planners believe that the investors should look at returns as well as tax saving while putting their money in these products.
Pankaj Mathpal, MD, Optima Money Manager, told Zee Business TV, "An investor should set up his\her financial goals before investing, however both PPF and ELSS are better options for long term investments.''
-PPF (Public Provident Fund)
PPF is a 15-year government-backed savings option offered through banks and post offices. Once the lock-in period is over, it can extended further in batches of five years. The interest rate on the PPF is revised every quarter and is bench-marked to yields on government securities. Currently, the PPF fetches an interest rate of 8%. Investments in PPF are also exempted under section 80-C of Income Tax Act 1961. The PPF account can be opened in any bank or post office.
-ELSS mutual funds
ELSS invest in equity shares of companies across sectors and market capitalization and have a three-year lock-in. It is quite the same as a diversified equity fund, other than tax deduction benefits and the three-year lock-in. ELSS investments come with a lock-in period of three years, which is lowest among Section 80-C investments. However, Investments in ELSS are driven on the basis of stock markets.
ELSS funds come with both growth and dividend options. Mutual fund houses have to pay a dividend distribution tax or DDT of 10% on dividends declared under equity schemes, including ELSS funds. This effectively reduces the return from dividends from equity funds.
''There is no doubt that ELSS is a risky way to go but it has given much better numbers against PPF for quite a some time now,'' Mathpal mentioned.
What is the risk involved?
Being backed by the Government of India, PPF investments are very safe. However, ELSS- being an equity fund, the investments are subject to market risks.
What returns to expect? The Government declares the rate of interest for PPF investments every year. It is usually between 7.5% p.a and 8.5% p.a. decided by RBI. Though, ELSS being market-linked, the returns can vary depending on the scheme selected but an investor can expect an approximate return of 12-14%.
What are the tax benefits?
The invested amount in PPF is exempted from taxes at the time of investment, accumulation, and withdrawal. However, in case of a ELSS, there is a 10% LTCG tax applicable on the profit of over and above 1 lakh.
Watch this Zee Business tweet video:
बजट पर क्या है रॉयल ऑर्किड होटल की उम्मीदें?#ZeeBusiness की ख़ास पेशकश #Budget2019 दिल चाहता है में आज मिलिए रॉयल ऑर्किड होटल्स के मैनेजिंग डायरेक्टर चंदर बालजी से।
पूरा इंटरव्यू देखिएhttps://t.co/cLZLfbymnk@AnilSinghviZEE @deepaliranaa @royalorchidauh @SwatiKJain pic.twitter.com/6LpDrns54G
— Zee Business (@ZeeBusiness) January 17, 2019
Is there any lock-in period?
In PPF, the investments are locked in for a period of 15 years. (After the 5th year partial withdrawals are permitted). In ELSS, the investments have a lock-in period of 3 years with no possibility of premature withdrawal.
"If an investor is comparing ELSS to PPF, he should remain invested in ELSS for 15 years before calculating the actual results as PPF has a lock in for 15 years,'' explained Mathpal.
Is there a maximum time limit for investment?
The PPF investments cannot be made for more than 15 years. But ELSS investments have no upper time limits.
How much can I invest?
You can invest anything between Rs 500 and Rs 150,000 in PPF in a financial year, either in lumpsum or in 12 installments. In ELSS, you can invest as much as you want. However, under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, only Rs 150,000 in a financial year will be allowed for a tax deduction.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Power of Compounding: How many years will it take to reach Rs 3 crore corpus if your monthly SIP is Rs 4,000, Rs 5,000, or Rs 6,000
Power of Compounding: Salary Rs 25,000 per month; is it possible to create over Rs 2.60 crore corpus; understand it through calculations
Reduce Home Loan EMI vs Reduce Tenure: Rs 75 lakh, 25-year loan; which option can save Rs 25 lakh and 64 months and how? Know here
Top 7 Large and Mid Cap Mutual Funds with Best SIP Returns in 5 Years: No. 1 fund has turned Rs 15,000 monthly SIP investment into Rs 20,54,384; know about others
02:24 PM IST