Complete These 3 Essential Tasks by March 31, or Face Salary Deductions and Penalties

Rules Change: Only 2 days remain until the conclusion of the financial year 2025-26. It is mandatory to deposit the minimum required balance into PPF, NPS, and Sukanya accounts by March 31.

Rules Change: Today is March 30, and only 48 hours remain until the end of the current financial year (2025-26). After the March 31 deadline passes, you could miss out on various financial benefits and tax exemption opportunities. Based on reports, here are the 3 critical tasks you must complete before midnight tomorrow.

Keep Government Schemes Active

To keep savings schemes such as PPF, NPS, and the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) active, it is mandatory to deposit a minimum amount every year.

Why It's Important: If you fail to deposit the minimum amount (e.g., ₹500 for PPF), your account will become 'discontinued' or dormant. To reactivate it, you will have to make multiple visits to the bank and also pay a penalty.

Old Tax Regime: The Last Chance to Save

If you have opted for the Old Tax Regime, tomorrow is the final day to make investments in order to avail of tax exemptions.
Section 80C: Under this section, you can invest in PPF, ELSS, or pay life insurance premiums to claim deductions of up to ₹1.5 lakh.
Section 80D: You can avail of additional deductions of up to ₹1 lakh on health insurance premiums and medical expenses incurred for your parents. Remember, any investment made on or after April 1 will be counted towards the next financial year (2026-27).

'Investment Proof' is Essential for the Salaried Class

This is the most critical task for salaried individuals. If you have not yet submitted your investment proofs to your office (HR/Finance department), a substantial amount of TDS may be deducted from your March salary.
What to submit: House rent receipts (for HRA), LIC/insurance premium receipts, receipts for children's tuition fees, and a home loan interest certificate.
The downside: If you fail to provide these proofs, the company will deduct a higher amount of tax from your final salary. To claim a refund for this excess tax, you will have to wait until you file your Income Tax Return (ITR) next year.