Pillar
Taxes
Tax planning is not about last-minute scrambling in March — it is about understanding the system well enough to make better decisions all year. This hub covers Indian income tax in plain language: choosing between the old and new regimes, claiming the right deductions, filing your ITR correctly, and keeping the documentation that protects you. It is for salaried employees, freelancers, and small-business owners who want to pay exactly what they owe — no more, no less — without buying poor products just for a deduction. By the end you should be able to compare the two regimes on your own numbers, use 80C and HRA correctly when they apply, separate genuine planning from last-minute tax saving, and file with records that hold up if anyone ever asks.
What this pillar teaches
- Old vs new tax regime — which costs you less
- Section 80C, 80D and the main deductions
- Reading Form 16, Form 26AS and the AIS
- Filing your ITR and avoiding common mistakes
- Capital gains tax on shares, funds and property
- TDS, advance tax, and staying compliant
Start here — beginner path
How to work through Taxes
- Understand the basics — start with the beginner path above so the core ideas are clear before you act.
- Set up a system — use the calculators and templates here to put your own numbers into the idea.
- Apply it to real life — make one concrete decision or change, not ten at once.
- Review on a rhythm — revisit monthly or quarterly so the system keeps working as your situation changes.
Calculators for taxes
All Taxes guides
Capital Gains Tax in India: What You Owe When You Sell Investments
Selling shares, mutual funds or property triggers capital gains tax. Learn how STCG and LTCG work by asset type, current rates, and how to plan for them.
The Financial Documents Every Indian Household Should Keep — and Where to Keep Them
A disorganized document setup delays ITR filings, loses deductions and complicates loans and emergencies. What Indian households keep, why and how long.
How to File Your ITR Online: A Step-by-Step Guide
Filing your income tax return online is simple once you know the steps. A guide to documents, the right form, pre-filled data and e-verification.
ITR Filing Mistakes 2026: 17 Errors That Can Delay Your Refund
Filing ITR for AY 2026-27? Here are 17 common ITR filing mistakes in 2026 that cause AIS mismatches, refund delays and notices — and how to fix each one.
Which ITR Form Should You File? A Plain-English Guide for Individuals
ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3 and ITR-4 each apply to different income types. Find out which one you need based on your income sources and financial activity.
Tax on Mutual Funds in India: A Complete Guide
Mutual fund taxation depends on fund type and holding period. Knowing the rules helps you plan exits, avoid surprises, and keep more of your returns.
Tax Planning vs Tax Saving: Why Most People Do the Wrong One
Most Indians scramble to save tax in January and February. Tax planning is different: it runs all year and gives better outcomes with far less stress.
Common mistakes in taxes
- Waiting until filing season, then making rushed, poor tax-saving decisions
- Mixing tax saving with bad investments — buying a product only for the deduction
- Ignoring documentation, then being unable to substantiate a claim later
- Not separating business and personal expenses, which makes everything harder to prove
- Choosing a regime out of habit instead of comparing old vs new on your actual numbers