Showing posts with label PPF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PPF. Show all posts

All About Public Provident Fund (PPF) Account



Public Provident Fund is the most popular and safest saving instrument in India and a good number of citizens in the country have a PPF account but they don’t  really have total knowledge about PPF. Do you Have ? Public Provident Fund (PPF) scheme is very popular investment in India because the money you invest and the interest you earn in PPF is non-taxable that means maturity amount is fully exempted from tax as well under Section 80C.

Important Features of PPF – 

  • PPF stands for Public Provident Fund
  • PPF is a government backed, long term, retirement savings instrument.
  • PPF has a 15 year lock in for longer savings
  • PPF offers loan against the account which can help you during occasions like a wedding in the family, further studies of your children, etc
  • PPF require the minimum investment of Rs. 500 p.a. and maximum of Rs. 1 lakh p.a.
  • The interest rate which currently stands at 8.8% for this fiscal year and can be changed over the period of time.
  • An NRI can't open a PPF account. However 'Provided that if a resident who subsequently becomes a Non Resident during the currency of the maturity period prescribed under the PPF scheme may continue to subscribe to the Fund till its maturity, on a Non Repatriation Basis.' So if you open it as an RI, and during the 15 year tenure become an NRI, you can continue to invest, but on a non-repatriable basis.
  • You can make up to 12 investments in a year into your PPF account.
  • Deposits can be made in lump-sum or in 12 installments
  • Joint account cannot be opened
  • An individual can open account with INR 100/- but has to deposit minimum of INR 500/- in a financial year and maximum INR 1,50,000/- 
  • Account can be opened by cash/cheque and In case of cheque, the date of realization of cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.
  • Nomination facility is available at the time of opening and also after opening of account. Account can be transferred from one post office/Bank to another.     
  • The subscriber can open another account in the name of minors but subject to maximum investment limit by adding balance in all accounts. 
  • Maturity period is 15 years but the same can be extended within one year of maturity for further 5 years and so on
  • Premature closure is not allowed before 15 years
  • Withdrawal is permissible every year from 7th financial year from the year of opening account.
  • Loan facility available from 3rd financial year.     

Benefits of PPF Account -   

  • Best for long-term investments & retirement planning
  • Tax-free risk free returns
 
Documents required to open a Public Provident Fund Account (PPF)- 

  • Passport, PAN Card, Aadhar Card, Driving License, Voter’s ID, Employer’s letter, Utility Bill, Rental/Lease Agreement, Bank Account Statements, Ration Cards, Signed Cheque
  • Photographs
  • The account opening form, along with nomination form if nominees are being named.
  • In case of minors, age proof will be required i.e. the minor’s birth certificate or school certificate.
How to Open PPF A/C - You can open a PPF A/C at any Post Office / Nationalised Bank / Private Bank or by Online A/C can also be opened through Bank's Website