Planning your investment with Tax benefit in mind
Saving on taxes appeals to every working individual. It puts more cash in your pocket to spend or save however you see fit. For most people, tax-saving investments tend to happen arbitrarily, and more often than not, at the last minute. However, if you give your little time to plan your investments, except saving taxes. These planned investments help you to get your overall financial goals as well.
There is no good or bad tax advantage in investments. This choice totally depends on you that what you want from your investment. So before you invest, always consider the tax benefits; and how the scheme is fulfilling your requirements.
Equity or debt?
Equity and Debt-oriented funds may be your Tax-saving instruments. For example, ELSS is an equity-related investment. Many others, such as NSC (National Saving Certificate) are debt-oriented fund. Always choose a product that not only provides tax benefit but gives alignment with your overall portfolio's asset allocations. Investing in an ELSS when your portfolio is oriented towards debt will introduce an element of risk that you may be unwilling to take.
Invest for your goals:
Your tax-oriented investments are part of your portfolio, and as such have to be aligned with your goals as far as possible. If your goals are long term, then investments that give compounding benefits, such as PPF, or equity-oriented investments, are ideal.