Investments u/s 80C

Public Provident fund

• The Public Provident Fund Scheme is a statutory scheme of the Central
  Government of India.
• The Scheme is for 15 years.
• The rate of interest is 8% compounded annually.
• The minimum deposit is 500/- and maximum is Rs. 70,000/- in a financial year.
• One deposit with a minimum amount of Rs.500/- is mandatory in each financial year.
• The deposit can be in lumpsum or in convenient installments, not more than 12 Installments in a year or two installments in a month subject to total deposit of Rs.70,000/-.
• It is not necessary to make a deposit in every month of the year. The amount of deposit can be varied to suit the convenience of the account holders.
• The account in which deposits are not made for any reasons is treated as discontinued account and such account can not be closed before maturity.
• The discontinued account can be activated by payment of minimum deposit of Rs.500/- with default fee of Rs.50/- for each defaulted year.
• Account can be opened by an individual or a minor through the guardian.
• Joint account is not permissible.
• Those who are contributing to GPF Fund or EDF account can also open a PPF account.
• A Power of attorney holder can neither open or operate a PPF account.
• The grand father/mother cannot open a PPF behalf of their minor
  grand son/daughter.
• The deposits shall be in multiple of Rs.5/- subject to minimum amount of Rs.500/-.
• The deposit in a minor account is clubbed with the deposit of the account of the Guardian for the limit of Rs.70,000/-.
• No age is prescribed for opening a PPF account.
• Interest is not contractual but rate is notified by Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India, at the end of each year.
• The facility of first withdrawal in the 7th year of the account subject to a limit of 50% of the amount at credit preceding three year balance. Thereafter one Withdrawal in every year is permissible.
• Pre-mature closure of a PPF Account is not permissible except in case of death.
• Nominee/legal heir of PPF Account holder on death of the account holder can not continue the account, but account had to be closed.
• The account holder has an option to extend the PPF account for any period in a block of 5 years on each time.
• The account holder can retain the account after maturity for any period without making any further deposits. The balance in the account will continue to earn interest at normal rate as admissible on PPF account till the account is closed.
• One withdrawal in each financial year is also admissible in such account.
• The PPF scheme is operated through Post Office and Nationalized banks.
• PPF account can be opened either in Post Office or in a Bank.
• Account is transferable from one Post office to another and from Post office to Bank and from Bank to Post office.
• Account is transferable from one Bank to another bank as well as within the bank to any branch.
• Deposits in PPF qualify for rebate under section 80-C of Income Tax Act.
• The interest on deposits is totally tax free.
• Deposits are exempt from wealth tax.
• The balance amount in PPF in PPF account is not subject to attachment under any order or decree of court in respect of any debt or liability.
• Nomination facility available.
• Best for long term investment.

Kisan Vikas Patra

• Minimum Investment Rs. 500/- No maximum limit.
• Rate of interest 8.40% compounded annually.
• Money doubles in 8 years and 7 months.
• Two adults, Individuals and minor through guardian can purchase.
• Companies, Trusts, Societies and any other Institution not eligible to purchase.
• Non-Resident Indian/HUF are not eligible to purchase.
• Facility of encashment from 2 ½ years.
• Maturity proceeds not drawn are eligible to Post office Savings account interest for a
  maximum period of two years.
• Facility of reinvestment on maturity.
• Patras can be pledged as security against a loan to Banks/Govt. Institutions.
• Patras are encashable at any Post office before maturity by way of transfer to desired 
  Post office.
• Patras are transferable to any Post office in India.
• Patras are transferable from one person to another person before maturity
• Duplicate can be issued for lost, stolen, destroyed, mutilated and defaced patras.
• Nomination facility available.
• Facility of purchase/payment of Kisan vikas Patras to the holder of Power of attorney.
• Rebate under section 80 C not admissible.
• Interest income taxable but no TDS
• Deposits are exempt from Wealth tax.
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Senior Citizen's Saving Scheme - 2004

OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME

We are all well aware that interest rate on Small Saving Scheme has been reduced to 5% in the last four years. The decline in interest rate was initiated from 1t January 2000. The interest rate on 31-12-1999 in Monthly Income Scheme was 13% which has come down to 8% with effect form 1.3.2003. The decrease in the interest rate has negative impact on the life of Senior Citizens. The dwindling interest income was cause of concern and hardship for them on the living conditions of the Senior Citizens. The interest income is a life time benefit for the senior citizens. The Budget for 2004-2005 presented in Parliament had two beneficiary aspects, as for as small Saving Schemes are concerned. The first one is that rats of interest on small savings which were unlikely to be expected to be reduced have been kept stable with no change in rate of interest in any Post Office scheme. The second beneficiary aspect was the introduction of Senior Citizen Saving Scheme-2004 with a higher rate of interest to any other small savings scheme which has come into operation from 2nd August 2004. The main objective of the scheme is to provide a relief to the senior citizens and to check the further decline in their interest income.