What is the Public Provident Fund (PPF)?

The PPF is a long-term, government backed small savings scheme of the Central Government started with the objective of providing old age income security to the workers in the unorganized sector and self employed individuals.

What is the interest rate offered through PPF?

Currently, the interest rate offered through PPF is around 8%, which is compounded annually. Interest is calculated on the lowest balance between the fifth day and last day of the calendar month and is credited to the account on 31st March every year. So to derive the maximum, the deposits should be made between 1st and 5th day of the month.

What is duration of the investment?

People who are interested in liquidity or small-term gains would not be very keen about PPF because the duration for the investment is 15 years. However, the effective period works out to 16 years i.e., the year of opening the account and adding 15 years to it. The contribution made in the 16th financial year will not earn any interest but one can take advantage of the tax rebate.

What is the minimum and maximum amount of deposit?

The minimum deposit that you can make into a PPF account in one whole financial year is Rs. 500. The maximum is Rs. 70, 000.

Who can open a PPF account and where?

A PPF account can be opened by an individual (salaried or non-salaried). An individual can open only one PPF account to which he contributes. A PPF account can also be opened in the name of your spouse or children.

What are the tax benefits from PPF?

The amount you invest is eligible for deduction under the Rs. 1, 00,000 limit of Section 80C. On maturity, the entire amount including the interest is non-taxable.

Is it possible to withdraw the amount deposited at any time during the tenure?

Yes. You can take a loan on the PPF from the third year of opening your account to the sixth year. So, if the account is opened during the financial year 2009-10, the first loan can be taken during financial year 2011-12 (the financial year is from April 1 to March 31).

The loan amount will be up to a maximum of 25% of the balance in your account at the end of the first financial year. You can make withdrawals during any one year from the sixth year.