Money Calendar: The new year has begun, save the 2026 'Money Calendar' on your phone right away..

The year 2026 has begun, and this new year brings with it not only new hopes but also several important financial responsibilities. Often, we rush to save on income tax or make investments at the end of the year, which not only increases mental stress but also leads to financial losses due to hasty decisions. If you want your entire year to be financially secure and well-organized, then "planning" is your greatest strength. Our special 'Money Calendar 2026' will give you a clear roadmap for the entire year, so you know when to save on taxes, when to invest smartly, and when to budget for your holidays.

This year's financial cycle is going to be slightly different and more technology-driven than previous years. From the budget presented on February 1st to the new banking security rules implemented from April 1st, 2026, there are several milestones that will directly affect your take-home salary and how you save. In this story, we will analyze in detail all the important dates, tax deadlines, and investment opportunities month by month, keeping this in mind, you can not only save your hard-earned money but also grow it in the right direction. Let's look at the 2026 Money Calendar.

First Quarter (January - March): Tax and Closing Time

The year starts with "action." The period from January to March is for wrapping up the old financial year and understanding the new changes.

January: This month is for "documentation." If you have chosen the 'Old Tax Regime', submit your HRA, investment (80C), and donation receipts to your employer on time.

February (Budget Month): Keep a close eye on the budget presented on February 1st. The changes in the budget will determine whether you should stay in the 'Old Regime' or switch to the 'New Regime'. March: March 15th is the last date for advance tax payment. Complete all investments and filings for the previous year by March 31st to avail full benefits and avoid penalties. Remember, you can only claim deductions for investments made up to March 31st when filing your income tax return.

Second Quarter (April - June): Investments and New Beginnings
The new financial year (FY 2026-27) begins on April 1st. This is the perfect time to lay the foundation for your investments.

PPF Golden Opportunity: Investment experts believe that investing a lump-sum amount in PPF between April 1st and 5th is the wisest approach. This allows you to earn interest for the entire year.

Form 15G/15H: Senior citizens and low-income individuals should submit these forms to their bank at the beginning of April to avoid unnecessary TDS deduction on interest.

Akshaya Tritiya (April 19th): Buying gold is considered auspicious on this day in India. But remember, a balance between tradition and investment is crucial. You can also consider digital gold or Gold ETFs.

Major Change in Banking: Two-Factor Authentication from April 1st
From April 1st this year, digital transaction rules are becoming stricter. Two-factor authentication (2FA) will be mandatory for every domestic transaction (UPI, cards, net banking). Only small contactless transactions will be exempt.

What to do: Ensure your mobile number and email are correctly registered with your bank. Keep your primary smartphone secure, as transactions will now be device-linked.

Third Quarter (July-September): Tax Filing and Foreign Assets
June and July should be entirely dedicated to filing your Income Tax Return (ITR).

After June 15th: Once your TDS certificate (Form 16) and AIS (Annual Information Statement) are updated, start filing immediately. Foreign Assets (Schedule FA): The Income Tax Department is now very strict about foreign assets. If you own any shares or property abroad, be sure to declare them under Schedule FA.

ITR Filing Deadline: The last date for filing Income Tax Returns is July 31st. Therefore, make sure to file your ITR by July 31st this year as well, otherwise you may have to pay a penalty.

Keep an eye on the PM's speech: On August 15th, Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi delivers a speech from the Red Fort, in which he often makes announcements related to financial matters. A new scheme might be launched on this day, or an announcement might be made about when a scheme will begin. This could help you save some money or find a scheme with better returns.

Advance Tax: If you fall under the purview of advance tax, you will have to pay advance tax again in September. You will have to pay the second installment of advance tax for the current financial year by September 15th.

Fourth Quarter (October - December): Preparing for the Future
By the end of the year, you should ensure that your 'financial house' is in order.

Update Nominations: Check the nominee names in your bank accounts, insurance policies, and provident fund.

Insurance and Will: Review your life and health insurance coverage according to your current life stage. Also, keep your will updated.

Travel Planning: Booking flights and hotels for festivals and holidays at least 3-4 months in advance can save you up to 30-40% on expenses.

Festive Season: October is the festive season. This month includes festivals from Gandhi Jayanti to Dussehra and sometimes Diwali. Many e-commerce companies also have their sales during this month. Therefore, you should create a special budget for the festive season right from the beginning of the month.

November: In this month, the Diwali festival sometimes falls in the early days. This month is also a time for weddings, leading to increased shopping in various markets. There is also a lot of buying and selling of gold and silver. So, this month is also special for your household budget.

Advance Tax: December 15th is the last date to pay the third installment of advance tax for the current financial year.

Belated and Revised Returns: Belated and revised returns must be filed by December 31st. Those who could not file their ITR by July 31st can file a belated return by December 31st. Those who filed their return by July 31st but made a mistake can file a revised return by December 31st to correct it.

Conclusion
Managing money is not a difficult task; it simply requires taking the right steps at the right time. This 2026 money calendar will not only help you follow the rules but will also ensure that your hard-earned money is growing properly. Taking small precautions, such as getting your TDS done on time or booking your long weekend trip in advance, can save you both stress and money.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Dainik Jagran. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.