Author name: catirumalesh@gmail.com

If you have received RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) or ESOPs (Employee Stock Options) from your employer, the single most important

If you changed jobs during FY 2025-26, you will receive two Form 16s — one from each employer — and

If you draw a salary, sold some shares or mutual funds during the year, and also placed a few futures-and-options

Bottom line first: for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27), if your gross salary is up to about Rs. 12.75 lakh, the

Bottom line first: there is no separate “refund application” for excess TDS. Your income tax return is the refund claim.

Complete PM-VBRY (ELI scheme) guide: Rs 15,000 one-time benefit for first-time EPF members (UMANG face authentication required), Rs 1,000-3,000 per month employer incentives by wage slab for 2-4 years, eligibility, registration on pmvbry.epfindia.gov.in and worked examples.

Step-by-step EPFO Joint Declaration guide (2026): fix name, DOB, date of joining and exit date online – who self-approves against Aadhaar, which fields need the employer, the exact document list per field, and what to do when the employer will not approve.

EPFO retains the EPF interest rate at 8.25% for FY 2025-26. Rate history, the 12% + 3.67% + 8.33% EPS split, monthly running-balance interest with a worked example, and the Rs. 2.5 lakh VPF tax threshold.