Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to introduce a new Income Tax Bill in Parliament today that will replace the existing Income Tax Act of 1961. The purpose of this new bill is to simplify the language and provisions of the current tax law, making it easier to understand and more accessible for taxpayers. The bill is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to reform and modernize the Indian tax system. The new bill will streamline various processes, eliminate complex

Elon Musk Defends Cost-Cutting Reforms in Oval Office Meeting with Trump Elon Musk has defended his aggressive cost-cutting measures, presenting them as a rational and necessary strategy to curb excessive government spending. Appearing alongside President Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Musk outlined his vision for streamlining federal operations through the proposed Department of Government

US-India Trade Relations: Key Insights in 4 Charts As global trade policies evolve, the economic partnership between the United States and India is under the spotlight. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Washington this week, discussions are expected to focus on trade policies, tariffs, and strategic economic cooperation. Here’s a closer look at the current state of US-India trade.

Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on Foreign Steel and Aluminum, Eliminating Exemptions Former President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on foreign steel and aluminum imports, marking a significant escalation in his efforts to bolster the U.S. economy through import taxes. The newly modified duties will be implem

A recent revelation that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was granted access to sensitive U.S. Treasury payment systems has sparked security concerns, legal battles, and political debates. Critics fear the move could expose taxpayer data and disrupt critical federal funding.   Legal Battle Over Treasury Access

Budget 2025: Key Tax Changes for NRIs and Foreign Investors Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2025 proposed several important tax reforms that directly affect Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign investors. These updates aim to simplify taxation, promote NRI investments, and align the tax regime with global standards. Below is a breakdown of the major changes: Presumptive Taxation Regime for Foreign

Trump's 25% Tariffs on Canada and Mexico: A Trade War in the Making? In a bold move set to take effect on February 1, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. Citing concerns over illegal immigration, fentanyl trafficking, and trade imbalances, the administration is taking an aggressive stance on border economics. However, one major question re

Projected Economic Growth India’s economy is expected to grow between 6.3% to 6.8% in the financial year 2025-26 (FY26). This forecast comes from the Economic Survey 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. Economic Fundamentals The survey highlights that the

Extended Economic Slowdown Expected: Maneesh Dangi, the CEO of Mosaic Asset Management, predicts that India's ongoing economic slowdown will last for at least another year and a half, contrary to the more optimistic views of many market participants. He believes the country is in the midst of a cyclical slowdown, which is a recurring phase in the economy. Dangi explains that such slowdowns typically last for five to seven quarters and do not recover without substan

In a surprising legal resolution, Meta has reportedly agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former U.S. President Donald Trump over his social media bans following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.   According to reports, $22 million from the settlement will fund the non-profit organization managing Trump’s future presidential library, while the remaining amount will c

Karnataka’s Home Minister G Parameshwara has confirmed that a meeting will be held on Wednesday to finalize the draft ordinance designed to protect borrowers from microfinance companies operating in the state. Once the draft is ready, it will be presented to the cabinet on Thursday and sent for approval to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. The ordinance aims to curb the menace caused by microfinance companies, which have been allegedly using aggressive and unethical methods to rec

Senate Confirms Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary The Senate has confirmed Scott Bessent as the new Treasury Secretary in a 68-29 vote on Monday, elevating the hedge fund manager to lead the administration’s financial policies as President Donald Trump advances his ambitious economic agenda.   At 62, Bessent steps into t

JPMorgan Asset Management Japan has appointed Kaguya Komatsu as its new president, making history as the first woman to hold the role. Komatsu, who currently serves as managing director, will officially take on her new position on March 1, 2024. She has been with the firm since 2011 and has overseen institutional investor and investment trust businesses since 2024. Before joining JPMorgan, Komatsu held various positions, including roles at Fitch Ratings Japan, Merrill Lynch Japan Securities,

The Impact of Potential U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods: Economic and Political Repercussions The article explores the potential economic and political effects of tariffs threatened by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian goods and the retaliatory measures proposed by outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Here’s a comprehensive look at the key issues:

With the Modi government set to present its second full budget for the third term in power, the middle and lower-income groups across India are hopeful for key reforms that could alleviate their financial burdens. The anticipated reforms in Budget 2025 include tax relief measures, simplification of income tax laws, and a focus on financial literacy, insurance, and retirement savings. Key Expectations from Budget 2025 Insurance Sector Reforms:

House Rent Allowance (HRA) is a component of an employee’s salary provided by employers to help cover rental expenses. Depending on various conditions, HRA may be partially or fully exempt from taxes. However, to benefit from this exemption, employees need to meet specific criteria. Is HRA Taxable? While HRA is part of an employee’s salary and is initially included in taxable income, it can be exempt under certain conditions. If the employee lives in a rented

US President Donald Trump's economic policies are facing significant challenges, according to market experts like Ramesh Damani and Samir Arora. While Trump has made bold promises, including ramping up US oil production and taking a tough stance on trade with countries like China, the actual implementation of these policies is likely to be constrained by governance realities. Damani pointed out that Trump's ambitious goal of increasing US crude oil production by three millio

Billionaire Wealth Skyrockets in 2024 Amid Rising Inequality Global billionaire wealth surged from $13 trillion to $15 trillion in 2024, marking the second-largest annual increase since Oxfam began tracking wealth data, the charity revealed in its annual inequality report on Monday. Meanwhile, the number of people living in poverty has seen little improve

Capital One has confirmed that it is experiencing a technical issue affecting a range of its customer-facing services. The problem has led to widespread reports from customers who are unable to access deposits, view account balances, or make transactions.   Nature of the Issue According to a statement from Capital One, the outag

  Trump equates trade deficits with financial losses, a perspective economists generally refute. A trade deficit simply means the country imports more than it exports, not that it's losing money. For example, the U.S. had a $67.9 billion trade deficit with Canada in 2023, far less than Trump's claim of "$200 billion." Economist Gary Clyde Hufbauer's analogy highlights this