The word superannuation is normally used as a synonym to Retirement. Superannuation benefit is a Retirement benefit provided by the employer to their employees. In simple terms Superannuation benefit is the pension plan bought by the employer for its employees. Employer contributes a certain amount to a Group Superannuation policy bought for this purpose and at the time of Retirement, the employee starts getting pension depending on the plan variant which employer has opted for at the time of contribution, and also the option that employee may have to exercise at the time of Retirement. Superannuation benefit comes in 2 variants, where the employer decides as to what it wants employees to receive a pension as. It may be a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan.

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Understanding home loan tax benefits are very important as one can take multiple advantages from this if used rightly. Understanding income tax benefits of an interest payment under section 24, principal payment under Section 80C, benefits under joint home loan, second housing loan etc. makes this concept more interesting.

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Real estate is surrounded by many income tax provisions. Starting from buying of property, keeping and maintaining the same and continues till selling it out. Understanding of taxation on real estate transaction is very important so one can do the necessary tax planning and save the maximum possible capital gains tax on the sale of property. Taxation aspects related to buying of real estate on loan has been covered in my earlier article on Housing loans. One should also know that keeping second property (if any) idle may attract wealth tax and to avoid wealth tax one must let out the property and come under tax provision of “Income from house property”. There’s nothing called tax free in real estate

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The word indexation is commonly used when we talk about capital gains tax on property, gold or debt investments. In other words, indexation is the process used to calculate capital gains tax on appreciation earned by selling capital assets other than Listed equity. Common capital assets include Equity shares/mutual funds, Tradeable debentures, bonds, Debt Mutual funds, Real estate, Gold. Whatever gain or loss comes out of selling these capital assets are termed as Capital gain/loss. The role of indexation comes in when there’s long term capital gain on capital assets other than equity. Basically, indexation is a process of adjustment of cost/purchase price of capital assets with Cost Inflation index. Through Indexation government allows the investor to adjust the effect of inflation on the Capital gains made on selling of property/asset purchased.

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