Claim audit · FY 2026-27

“PPF, EPF, NPS — all triple-exempt”

The three products do not share one tax profile. PPF is EEE: a ₹1,50,000 contribution is 80C-deductible, the 8.2% interest accrues tax-free, and maturity is exempt. EPF is EEE only conditionally: the employee's 12% share is 80C-deductible and the accumulated balance is exempt after 5 years of continuous service, but from AY 2022-23 the interest on employee contributions above ₹2,50,000 a year is taxable under section 9(11AA). Someone contributing ₹3,60,000 a year has an excess of ₹1,10,000, and at 8.25% the taxable interest is ₹1,10,000 × 8.25% = ₹9,075 a year. NPS is EET: contributions are deductible (old regime), but at exit only 60% is tax-free while 40% must buy an annuity whose income is taxed on receipt. Calling all three 'triple-exempt' blends an EEE product, a conditional-EEE product and an EET product into one headline. A premature EPF withdrawal before five years of service makes even the accumulated interest taxable at slab, and the 80C deduction for the employee share disappears in the new regime. Each product is conditional on holding, contribution size or the tax regime in force.