Income Funds

These funds are a class of debt funds, wherein fund managers invest your corpus in fixed income bonds and securities. Using income funds, investors stand to earn fixed returns on their invested income. 

 

However, remember that income funds also carry minimal risk parameters if they are managed properly by fund managers. You can use these funds to diversify your financial portfolio and mitigate certain risk factors which are common to other types of mutual funds.

 

Fixed income funds have a duration exceeding four years and can extend up to a period of 7 years or more. Your fund manager ensures to generate fixed returns irrespective of the fluctuating interest rates in the market. 

 

Simply put, regardless of whether the interest rates decrease or increase, fixed income mutual funds strive to generate returns on your invested income. This happens because of the apt management of the investment portfolio. 

 

Most fund managers handling income funds apply two crucial strategies to earn fixed returns. The first step is to generate sufficient interest income, while the second method is to earn returns on the invested funds.

The former is achieved when a particular income fund holds the debt instrument until maturity. However, to deploy the second strategy, the fund manager sells these debt instruments in the stock market when there is an increase in their price.

 

Income funds usually opt for debt instruments providing higher security and a lower interest rate risk. Now that you have a fair idea of what are income funds, here are a few additional features of these funds you need to be aware of:

 

• Income funds have an expense ratio of 2.25%, as fixed by SEBI

• As these funds come with interest rate risks and credit risks, fund managers may invest your corpus in securities with a low credit quality rating

• Such funds take advantage of market volatility to meet specific investment goals

• Ideal to invest in income funds when interest rates decrease and exit the fund when rates increase

• Capital gains tax levied on income mutual funds depending on the holding period

• STCG or Short-term capital gains are applicable as per your income tax slab if you hold units for a period of up to 3 years

• LTCG or Long-term capital gains are earned if you hold the units for a duration exceeding 3 years and taxed at 20% along with indexation benefits

Here are a few benefits you stand to earn when you invest in income funds.

 

• Access to Higher Liquidity

   

As these funds do not have a mandatory lock-in period, you can redeem your investments at your convenience. However, note that these funds come with an exit-load fee depending on the scheme you choose. 

 

This way, you are free to withdraw money on any business day, with the redemption amount being credited to your account within T+3 working days.

 

• Enjoy Better Returns

   

Investing in these funds offers higher returns when compared to fixed deposit investments. As these funds make the most of interest rate volatility, they are able to generate stable returns over a specific timeline.

 

However, remember that mutual fund returns are always subject to market risks, so their performance entirely depends on prevailing market conditions. Investing in income mutual funds can help diversify your portfolio and mitigate the overall risk factor.

 

• Gain Tax Benefits

   

As mentioned, you can earn tax benefits when you invest in these funds. However, to enjoy them, you need to fall within the highest income tax bracket of 30%. The LTCG is taxed at 20%, coupled with indexation benefits in comparison to a fixed deposit interest income, which is taxed based on your individual tax slab.

 

• Meet Your Financial Goals

   

Whether you are a salaried individual or a self-employed professional, investing in these funds can help you generate an added income stream. As these funds primarily invest in securities generating higher income, you can earn sustained returns during a specific timeline.

 

This helps you meet your planned goals and also provides an alternate income option post retirement. You may even invest in these funds to meet short-term goals like funding your children’s education, etc.

While you are familiar with features and benefits, here are some critical points to consider before investing in income mutual funds.

 

• Evaluate the Risks

   

This risk aspect depends on the type of holding you invest in. If you hold a higher equity component, you may experience a higher risk. As these funds carry both credit and interest risks, you need to analyse the risk component when investing in mutual funds.

 

• Analyse the Tax Efficiency of These Funds

   

You need to understand the tax slab category you fall into before investing in these funds. This helps you enjoy tax benefits. However, note that you need to fall within the tax bracket of 20-30% and hold your units for a period exceeding 3 years if you want to get tax benefits.

 

• Gauge the Costs Associated with Income Funds

   

While these funds do not necessarily include a mandatory lock-in duration, you may have to pay an exit load when you redeem the units before the duration of 3 years. So, you need to check with your fund manager as the exit load varies from one scheme to another. 

 

Apart from this, you need to assess the expense ratio of your fund. A higher ratio translates to lesser returns, which can affect your returns considerably. Furthermore, you all need to check the returns delivered by the fund over a specific timeline.

 

Keeping a tab on these factors helps you choose the right income mutual fund that allows you to earn fixed returns. Armed with the details mentioned above, you can invest in the right income fund that can help you align with your financial goals. 

To begin your trading journey, you can check out various mutual funds online and invest on Bajaj Markets.