Hi there! 
The calendar has thrown an important reminder our way – the next instalment of Advance Tax is only 2 days away. If you have business income, capital gains, or freelance income, this is your cue to check your numbers before the deadline.
Also, it’s wedding season in India, which basically means two things: back-to-back functions and families across the country moving one of their biggest assets…gold.
A significant portion of this gold is often gifted to the bride as Stree Dhan (woman’s wealth), which is fully tax-free, culturally rooted, and deeply personal as it’s meant for her financial security.
But there’s a limit on how much gold is actually legal to keep at home.
The wedding rush, however, isn’t the only thing shaping money conversations this month. The new Labour Code is also making waves, forcing companies to revisit salary structures, which means your take-home salary, PF, and overall compensation may start to look different.
We’ve handpicked threads on these topics in today’s edition.
TOP THREADS
How much advance tax should you pay?
If your total tax liability for the year exceeds ₹10,000, you’re required to pay advance tax in four quarterly instalments. For this quarter Oct-Dec 2025, you need to pay 75% of your total tax liability on or before 15 Dec 2025. Here’s a simple guide to calculate advance tax…Continue Reading
How much gold can you legally keep at home?
Gold has long been one of the most common and valued household assets in India. Families hold it as a store of wealth, a safety net for emergencies, or even as a financial gift for milestones. But few people realise there’s a CBDT non-seizure limit – keeping gold beyond this limit can trigger income tax searches and seizure, for holdings of up to…Continue Reading
Will the new Labour Code increase your take-home salary?
The Labour Code is basically the government’s way of standardising how companies structure salaries. One major change it brings is the new definition of wage, which puts a cap on how much of your CTC can be split into basic pay and those extra allowances you usually don’t notice. And yes, your take-home salary can increase if your basic pay is…Continue Reading
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FAQs
What happens if you hold gold beyond the CBDT non-seizure limit?
Gold that exceeds the legal non-seizure limit is treated as undisclosed income. This can lead to taxes and penalties of up to 78% of the gold’s value, and in some cases, the authorities may even seize it.
When the new Labour Code will come into effect?
The new basic pay rules came into effect on 21st Nov 2025, and companies are now adjusting their salary structures accordingly. This could impact your take-home salary, PF, and other salary components.
What if I end up paying excess advance tax?
If the advance tax paid exceeds your tax liability, you can claim a refund when filing your ITR.
WHAT’S YOUR ANSWER?
What’s the monthly interest if you miss the advance tax instalment?
- 1%
- 5%
- 6%
- 10%
RESULTS FROM LAST DIGEST
What’s the minimum vesting period under the new MSF schemes?
A) 5 years (44%)
B) 10 years (16%)
C) 15 years (31%) 
D) 20 years (9%)
Only 31% of people chose the right answer!