Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Expert Suggests Strategic Tax Payment Can Lead to Greater Wealth Than Tax Avoidance
Some people think the best way to get rich is to never pay taxes.
But an expert named Neeraj Arora says that sometimes, paying taxes in a smart way can actually make you richer!
When you sell something like a property and make a profit, you usually have to pay a tax on that profit.
You can also buy special government bonds called 54EC bonds to avoid this tax for a while.
However, these bonds have a limit on how much you can put in, they lock your money away for five years, and they don't give you much interest.
Arora suggests that it might be better to pay the tax on your profit and then invest the rest of the money in things like mutual funds.
These funds can give you more interest than the bonds, and your money isn't locked up for so long.
So, by paying some tax and investing wisely, you could end up with more money overall than if you tried to avoid the tax with the bonds.
Paying capital gains tax strategically and investing in mutual funds may lead to greater wealth than solely relying on tax-saving instruments like 54EC bonds.
Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed as per income slab, while long-term capital gains (LTCG) after July 2024 are taxed at 12.5% without indexation.
Section 54EC bonds allow LTCG tax exemption up to Rs 50 lakh annually, have a 5-year lock-in, and offer low post-tax returns.
Investing in mutual funds after paying LTCG tax can potentially yield higher returns (9-12%) and offer better liquidity compared to 54EC bonds (approx. 5.25% interest).
This strategy is legal and emphasizes informed decision-making over blindly chasing tax exemptions, particularly for younger investors.
- Who
- CA Neeraj Arora, an expert, and general taxpayers.
- What
- An expert's strategy suggesting that paying capital gains tax strategically and investing the remainder in mutual funds can yield higher returns than using tax-saving instruments like 54EC bonds.
- When
- Discussed recently, with implications for post-July 2024 capital gains tax rules.
- Where
- India, concerning income tax laws and investment strategies.
- Why
- To highlight that while tax exemption is appealing, the limited returns and liquidity of some tax-saving tools may lead to lower overall wealth compared to paying the tax and investing in higher-yield instruments.
- Expert Name
- CA Neeraj Arora
- Capital Gain Tax Rate (Post-July 2024)
- 12.5% without indexation
- Section 54EC Bonds Limit
- Rs 50 lakh per year exemption
- Section 54EC Bonds Lock-in
- 5 years
- Section 54EC Bonds Interest Rate
- Around 5.25%
- Alternative Investment
- Mutual Funds (e.g., short-term debt, hybrid)
- Mutual Fund Yield Potential
- 9-12%