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Showing posts from February, 2026

SGB Tax Rules 2026: The 12.5% Secondary Market Trap (Are You Losing Money?)

Home › Finance › SGB Tax Rules 2026 SGB Taxation 2026: The Secondary Market Trap Costing You 12.5% Expert Tax Alert • Published by Sahityashala Editorial Desk • Compliance: Income-tax Framework 2026 The secondary market SGB tax trap: Why Demat buyers pay 12.5% LTCG at maturity. ⚠️ Urgent Warning for Retail Investors The viral assumption that buying Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) on stock broker apps secures a tax-free maturity is an outdated, highly destructive myth . If you recently purchased secondary units on platforms like Zerodha , Groww , or Upstox , your capital gains are legally subject to a strict 12.5% LTCG tax . For nearly a decade, retail investors and financial planners treated Sovereign Gold Bonds as the undisputed crown jewel of Indian investing: earn a guaranteed 2.5% annual coupon and cash out completely tax-f...
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Are Scholarships, Fellowships & Research Grants Taxable in India? | Section 10(16) Explained (2026)

Author Note: This guide is researched and published by Sahityashala Finance , a student-focused financial literacy platform dedicated to simplifying tax compliance and financial planning for interns, freelancers, and researchers across India. 📌 Quick Answer Scholarships, fellowships, and research grants granted solely to meet the cost of education are not taxable in India under Section 10(16) of the Income Tax Act. However, payments linked to teaching assistantships, consulting, or professional services rendered are fully taxable. The Academic Jackpot: Is the Taxman Coming for Your Grant? You just cracked a prestigious national fellowship. Maybe you secured a massive research grant for your B.Sc Physics project at Motilal Nehru College, or you've been awarded a merit scholarship while preparing for your CUET PG exams to get into IIMC Delhi. Seeing a hefty amount credited to your bank account feels like a victory—until a terrifying tho...
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Section 80GG: Can Students Claim PG & Hostel Rent Deduction in India? (2026 Guide)

The ₹60,000 Loophole: Are You Donating Your Tax Money to the Government? Living away from home is brutally expensive. Whether you are paying ₹15,000 a month for a cramped PG in Bengaluru or surviving in a university hostel in Delhi, a massive chunk of your hard-earned stipend or freelance income vanishes into your landlord's pockets. But here is the multi-million dollar question: Can you, as a student, claim tax deductions on your PG or hostel rent? The answer is a resounding YES , thanks to a little-known secret called Section 80GG . Let's reclaim your money. Unlock the power of Section 80GG: Learn how interns, freelancers, and students in India can claim tax deductions on their PG, flat, or hostel rent. The Big Misconception: "Students Don't Need Tax Deductions" Most Indian students believe tax planning is only for 40-year-old corporate employees. This is a massive financial blunder. Today's students are side-hustle...
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ITR-1 vs ITR-4: Which Income Tax Return Should Freelancers & Interns File?

The Tax Season Dilemma: Are You Filing the Wrong Form? You finally landed that dream internship or cracked your first major freelance gig. You're generating income. Life is great—until July approaches. The Income Tax Return (ITR) deadline hits, and you're staring at the e-filing portal completely clueless. Should you select ITR-1 or ITR-4 ? Filing the wrong form can lead to immediate rejection, delayed TDS refunds, and pesky notices from the IT Department. Let’s decode this once and for all! ✅ TL;DR – Choose Your ITR in 10 Seconds 💼 Salary + Form 16 ➡️ File ITR-1 💻 Freelance / 194J / Form 16A ➡️ File ITR-4 (or ITR-3) Navigating the maze of income tax returns: Choosing between ITR-1 and ITR-4 is crucial for freelancers and interns to ensure compliance and claim refunds. The Gig Economy Trap: You Are a Business, Not an Employee Many students make the critical mistake of assuming that any money they earn is ...
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How to Avoid TDS on Internship Stipend: Form 15G Guide (2026)

Mastering Form 15G: How Indian students can save their internship stipend from TDS deductions. ⚠️ Disclaimer: Form 15G केवल तभी वैध है जब छात्र की कुल वार्षिक आय करयोग्य सीमा से कम हो। The 10% Heartbreak: Where Did Your First Stipend Go? You worked hard for a month. Your offer letter promised ₹15,000 . You eagerly check your bank account, and you only received ₹13,500 . You just became a victim of TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) . But as a student, do you really have to pay this? Absolutely not. The Truth About Stipend Taxability in India Whether you are doing a high-end corporate gig, running content networks like the Sahityashala Network , or getting paid to write technical analysis for Sahityashala Sports , companies will often treat your internship stipend as a "professional fee." Under Section 194J of the Income Tax Act, companies are mandated to deduct a 10% TDS on professional and technical services. However, if your total ...
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YouTube Shorts & Instagram Reels Income Tax for Students in India (2026 Guide)

Complete 2026 Guide: Taxation on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels for Indian Students Wait! Before You Spend Your First Brand Deal Cheque... You’re a student. You post a reel. It hits 5 million views. Suddenly, brands are sliding into your DMs, and YouTube is sending you Adsense revenue. It feels like free money. But is it? The Income Tax Department of India doesn't care if you're a student or a CEO —income is income. If you don't understand the tax rules today, you might face heavy penalties tomorrow. The Rise of the Student Creator Economy India is witnessing a massive boom in the creator economy. Whether you are running a Sahityashala Sports fan page, reciting Maithili Poems to a niche audience, reviewing global literature on English Sahityashala , or managing a broader blog at Sahityashala , monetization is easier than ever. Between YouTube Shorts bonuses, Instagram brand integrations, affiliate links, and super chats, students are m...
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