Tax-Saving Investments
ELSS and other options eligible under Section 80C — chosen so the tax break is a by-product of a sound investment, not the reason for it.
Who this suits
Salaried taxpayers under the old tax regime looking to use the ₹1.5 lakh Section 80C limit, especially those who currently only hold insurance or PPF.
What's included
- ELSS mutual funds — the shortest lock-in (3 years) among all 80C options, with market-linked growth potential
- A look at what you already hold under 80C — PF, insurance premium, tuition fees — before adding anything new
- Comparison of ELSS against PPF, NSC and tax-saving FDs on lock-in, liquidity and taxation of returns
- Applicable only under the old tax regime — we check which regime suits your income profile first
How it works
Review current 80C usage
PF contributions, existing insurance premium and tuition fees already counted, before adding anything new.
Check which tax regime suits you
80C deductions only apply under the old regime — worth confirming this is still the better regime for your income before investing purely for the tax break.
Fill the remaining gap with ELSS
Whatever headroom is left under the ₹1.5 lakh limit, allocated to ELSS if equity exposure fits your risk comfort.
Track each instalment's lock-in
Every SIP instalment into an ELSS scheme carries its own independent 3-year lock-in, counted from its own investment date.
Frequently asked
Q.Does the 3-year lock-in apply to the whole investment or each instalment?
Each SIP instalment has its own 3-year lock-in from its own date — so with a monthly SIP, your instalments become withdrawable on a rolling basis, not all at once.
Q.Is ELSS better than PPF?
Neither is universally better. ELSS has the shortest lock-in among 80C options and market-linked growth potential; PPF is government-backed with a fixed, currently tax-free return and a 15-year tenure. Many investors hold both for different reasons.
Q.What happens after the lock-in ends?
Units become freely redeemable, but there's no requirement to sell — many investors continue holding an ELSS fund well beyond the lock-in as a regular equity investment.
Q.What proof do I need to claim the deduction?
The Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) or the AMC's investment statement showing the amount and date of each ELSS investment is generally sufficient.