ELSS vs PPF, NSC, ULIP: Everything You Need to Know

ELSS refers to Equity Linked Savings Scheme. ELSS as the name clearly suggests is a savings scheme linked to equity markets. It is a type of mutual fund, which additionally offers tax benefits to the investors.

Equity linked saving schemes is a kind of mutual funds like diversified equity funds with Tax benefits. It is just like other tax saving instruments like National Savings Certificate and Public Provident Fund. Main advantage with ELSS is lock-in period is only 3 years while for NSC it is 6 years and for PPF it is 15 years. At the same time risk factor is high in ELSS.

As per Income Tax act 80c investment up to Rs 1,20,000 is eligible for deduction from the gross total income hence reducing the total taxable income. For example if your total annual income is Rs 6,00,000 and you invest Rs 1,20,000 in ELSS then your taxable income will become Rs 4,80,000, so that you can reduce the tax liability from 20% to 10%. Instead of paying 54000 you just have to pay 32000, here you are saving Rs.22000.

Previously there was an upper limit for investing in tax saving instruments like ELSS of 5,00,000. Only individuals with less than 5,00,000 annual incomes are allowed to invest in tax saving instruments. But last now any individual can invest in ELSS irrespective of their income level.

See Also: Unit Linked Insurance Plan

Key Features of ELSS

• ELSS is a fund with a lock-in period of 3 years.

• It offers tax benefit to the investors under section 80c of the income tax Act up to a maximum limit of 1.2 Lac per annum.

• Investment has to be for long term, any expectation of short term gains is not appropriate.

• Involves a little bit of risk because of equity allocation.

• ELSS helps an investor to get addicted to investments and savings by offering systematic investment option.

• ELSS is very beneficial to salaried people.

Comparison of ELSS with Traditional Investment Pattern

ELSS vs PPF

Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a statutory scheme of the Central Government of India. Deposits in PPF qualify for rebate under section 80C of Income Tax Act. The interest on deposits is totally tax free.    

BASIS	PPF	ELSS
Lock in period	15yrs	3yrs
Tax Benefit u/s 80c (per yr)	Rs 70000	Rs 120000
Risk level	Low	High
Returns	8%	Variable (15%-30%)
Interest receipt	On maturity	Depends on performance

ELSS vs NSC

National Savings Certificates (NSC) is a certificate issued by Department of post, Government of India and is available at all post office counters in the country. It is a long term safe savings option for the investor. The scheme combines growth in money with reductions in tax liability as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

BASIS	NSC	ELSS
Lock in period	6yrs	3yrs
Min. investment	Rs 100	Rs 500
Tax Benefit u/s 80c (per yr)	Rs 120000	Rs 120000
Risk level	Low	High

ELSS vs ULIP

ULIP or Unit Linked Insurance Plan is primarily an insurance product as is evident from its name itself. It offers you the option to invest your money in debt,equity or mixture of debt and equity funds.

BASIS	ULIP	ELSS
Lock in period	3yrs	3yrs
Charges	High(30-35% )	Low(2-2.5%)
Tax benefits	Rs 120000	RS 120000

FD vs ELSS

Tax-saving fixed deposits are conventional fixed deposits offered by banks.

BASIS	FD	ELSS
Lock in period	5yrs	3yrs
Interest/ Dividend Receipts	On Maturity	Depends  on performance
Minimum Investment	Rs 100	Rs 500
Offered by	Banks	Mutual fund companies
Returns	7%-9% p.a	15%- 30%

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