💰 Tax-Saving ke Best Investment Options (Up to ₹1.5 Lakh under 80C)

🔹 Introduction

Aap chahe salaried ho ya self-employed, har saal ek hi sawaal hota hai: "Tax kaise bachaayein?"

Income Tax Act ke Section 80C ke under aap ₹1.5 lakh tak ka investment tax-free claim kar sakte ho.

Is blog me hum baat karenge Top 7 tax-saving investment options ki, jo aapko return bhi denge aur tax bhi bachayenge.

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🔹 Section 80C Kya Hai?

Section 80C ek provision hai jo allow karta hai taxpayers ko ₹1.5 lakh tak ke eligible investments/deductions pe tax exemption milne ka.

Chahe aapki income ₹5 lakh ho ya ₹50 lakh—ye benefit sabhi ke liye hai.

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✅ Top 7 Tax-saving Investment Options under 80C:

1️⃣ ELSS (Equity Linked Saving Scheme)

• Lock-in: 3 years (shortest)

• Return: 10–14% (market-linked)

• Risk: Moderate to High

• Best for: Young investors looking for high return + tax saving

• Tax-free upto ₹1.5 lakh

2️⃣ PPF (Public Provident Fund)

• Lock-in: 15 years

• Return: ~7.1% (Govt. guaranteed)

• Risk: Safe

• Best for: Long-term conservative investors

• Interest is tax-free

3️⃣ NSC (National Savings Certificate)

• Lock-in: 5 years

• Return: ~7.7% (as of 2025)

• Risk: Low

• Interest taxed but reinvested counted under 80C

4️⃣ 5-Year Tax Saving FD

• Lock-in: 5 years

• Return: ~6.5%–7.5%

• Risk: Low

• Taxation: Interest is taxable

5️⃣ Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

• Best for: Girl child savings

• Lock-in: Until age 21 of girl child

• Return: ~8% (tax-free)

• Risk: Zero (Govt. backed)

• Only parents/guardians of girl child can invest

6️⃣ Life Insurance Premium

• Term Plan or Traditional Plan

• Return: Depends on policy

• Tax Benefit: Premium upto ₹1.5 lakh eligible

• Important: Choose term plan for pure protection

7️⃣ EPF (Employees' Provident Fund)

• Automatic deduction for salaried

• Interest: ~8% (tax-free upto limit)

• Lock-in: Till retirement

• Employer contribution NOT counted under 80C

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🔸 Bonus: Home Loan Principal Repayment

• Agar aap home loan le rahe ho, to principal amount jo EMI me jata hai, wo bhi 80C me count hota hai.

• Interest alag se section 24 me cover hota hai.

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🔹 Kaise Choose Karein Best Option?

Criteria	Option
Shortest Lock-in	ELSS
Low Risk	PPF / FD / NSC
High Return	ELSS / EPF
Child Future	SSY
Monthly SIP	ELSS / PPF

💡 Tip: Diversify karke invest karein – ek safe option (PPF) aur ek growth option (ELSS) ko combine karein.

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🔚 Conclusion

Tax bachane ka matlab sirf deduction nahi hota—ye aapke financial future ka base bhi banata hai. 80C me ₹1.5 lakh tak ka invest smartly karein aur tax ke sath-sath wealth bhi create karein.

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