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RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Man missed years of prostate cancer testing, commission finds
There was only one test for prostate-specific antigen levels in 2015-17. File photo. Photo: AFP The Health and Disability Commission has released its findings into a complaint by the man, referred to as Mr A in the report. Deputy Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell said following a prostate cancer diagnosis and successful treatment in 2012, the man's urologist advised him to have six-monthly prostate-specific antigen blood tests, and for the man to be referred back to the urologist should levels be detected. Prostate cancer - as well as other conditions - could cause prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood to increase. The request from the urologist was noted by Mr A's GP, referred to in the report as Dr B, but there was no indication he set up a recall for testing. Mr A had three further PSA tests through the urologist, who he was still seeing for other issues after his surgery, with the last performed in January 2014. There appeared to be no PSA testing in 2015, one test completed in 2016, and no PSA testing in 2017, the report said. Dr B told the commissioner the medical centre's recall system between January 2014 and March 2018 was not working at optimal performance due to organisational changes. He said this included the amalgamation of three medical practices, high staff turnover and software system changes. Mr A was recalled for PSA testing in 2018, and then for annual testing. The report said from 2018 onward Mr A's PSA levels exceeded the level which should have sparked re-referral to the urologist, but no action was taken by the centre. The GP said the results from the pathologist indicated they were within the normal range He said each week he had to review between 400 and 600 documents, so results listed as normal were only given "minimal attention". Dr Caldwell said the clinic's PSA request form did not include any clinical details, so the pathologist did not know of Mr A's history of prostrate cancer or the urologists' instructions to be informed of any elevated results. The results between 2018 and 2021 were considered to be within the normal range of 0 - 3.99 ug/L, but in October 2022 a level of 67 ug/L was returned and Dr B notified Mr A. Further investigation found Mr A had recurrent prostate cancer which had spread to his bones. Dr Caldwell said the GP and the clinic did not meet their obligations to provide services with reasonable care and skill. Dr B said he and the centre have taken a number of steps to avoid the situation happening again. The clinic had changed its recall system, changed the way laboratory tests were made and reviewed, and hired a retired GP to review and manage laboratory results. Dr Caldwell recommended the GP and medical centre provide a formal apology to Mr A, and the centre should establish a process for surveillance and recall of ongoing laboratory testing. She also recommended Dr A reflect on how in future he could recognise when his workload was reaching a point where it might affect his ability to practise safely. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Telegraph
18-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Family photos could help second home owners swerve tax raid
Second home owners could avoid double council tax bills on a property if there are family photos and heirlooms on display, a Scottish ruling suggests. Court documents published last week indicate the presence of sentimental items can help families to prove a property is their main residence and not a second home. It comes after more than 200 authorities in England brought in a 100pc council tax premium on second home owners from April 1. Authorities in Wales and Scotland have held similar powers since 2017 and 2024 respectively. The recent ruling from the Upper Tribunal for Scotland centres around 'Mr A' who owns a home in the Shetland Islands but works in Saudi Arabia for most of the year, according to Scottish Legal News. Mr A launched an appeal against the council raising the tax bill on his Shetlands property to £2,048. Mr A and his wife argued the house on the archipelago was their main residence, despite the fact their children attend school abroad. They also claimed it was their intention to move back to the Shetlands property permanently in the future. The case was first rejected by Scotland's First-tier Tribunal (FTS) chamber in October, but a further appeal to the Upper Tribunal has proved successful, and it will again be heard by the FTS at a later date. Family photographs and heirlooms were not stated as a defence, however, Judge Sheriff McCartney suggested in the ruling that such an argument could add weight to future claims. She said: 'The question of whether a property is a main or sole residence is fact sensitive. 'It requires the decision maker to have a clear understanding of the relevant facts.' She continued to state several factors were influential in the case, including: how much time the family spent at the property; their ties to each home including where they book dentists' and doctors appointments; the whereabouts of personal belongings such as photographs, heirlooms and 'items of sentimental value'; their living arrangements abroad; and details of Mr A's work contract. Ben Menahem, of law firm Seddons GSC, said: ' Second home owners may well begin to rely on this reasoning to challenge higher council tax premiums, arguing that the presence of such items reflects the property's use as a main residence.' Johnny Drysdale, a property lawyer at Keystone Law, said it is 'interesting to note the judge's broadening of the criteria of what is a main residence'. He added: 'Scottish judgements are not binding on English courts but commentary from judges across the border can be persuasive and influential. 'If these types of quite tenuous ties to a property can be included in the assessment, then we are going to see this tax challenged by people in England and Wales for the same reasons. 'Photographs and items of sentimental value seem very broad and open to interpretation.' Shetland Islands Council enforced the penalty on its 221 second homes last April in an effort to boost availability for locals. It is one of many local authorities across Britain to launch a tax raid on second home owners. Those in England have seen their annual bills rocket to £3,672 on average, according to Telegraph analysis. Andrew Hazeldine, of law firm Aaron & Partners, said the Scottish ruling mentioning presence of family photographs in a second home 'could potentially open up a loophole of sorts'. But he warned that 'simply putting some items of sentimental value or photographs into an unoccupied property is unlikely to sway the court's decision significantly'. Aaron Peake, of credit score service CredAbility, said: 'A couple of framed photos and a few keepsakes aren't going to outweigh hard evidence. 'This ruling doesn't open the door for a flood of people dodging council tax by putting up a few family snaps. In fact, I'd caution anyone thinking about it.'
Mint
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Why joint home loans could be a smart move for homebuyers
When Laxmi Ahirwar and her spouse decided to buy a house together, they didn't just pool their resources, they unlocked a range of financial perks. A ₹2.5 lakh subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), a discount on their home loan interest rate, and the ability to double their tax deductions under the old tax regime were just some of the benefits. For many homebuyers, taking a joint home loan can open the door to substantial savings. From enhanced loan eligibility to tax breaks and reduced interest rates, co-ownership, especially with a female co-borrower, can significantly lower the cost of homeownership. Read this | The home loan playbook: Expert tips to save time, stress, and big money But there are caveats to consider, from stricter PMAY eligibility rules to the complexities of exiting a joint loan. Here's a comprehensive look at how joint property ownership can be a smart financial move and the pitfalls to watch out for. Boost loan eligibility, lower interest rates Applying for a home loan jointly can significantly increase your borrowing capacity. Lenders assess the combined income of all co-applicants, allowing for a higher loan amount than if a single applicant were assessed individually. For instance, if Mr A earns ₹1 lakh per month, the bank will approve a loan based on his income. But if his wife, who also earns ₹1 lakh, joins as a co-applicant, the lender can calculate eligibility based on their combined income of ₹2 lakh. This can significantly increase their borrowing capacity. 'Co-applicants can avail higher loan amounts owing to their combined income, which enables them to choose from a wider range of properties. The responsibility of repaying the loan is shared by the co-applicant, reducing the financial stress on a single person," said Arjun Chowdhry, group head - affluent banking, NRI/Cards, payments and retail lending, Axis Bank. Notably, not all co-applicants need to be co-owners. Bank of Baroda allows close relatives to be added as co-applicants to boost loan eligibility, even without ownership rights. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can also be co-applicants if they hold a stake in the property. 'The most obvious benefit of a joint home loan is that you stand a chance of getting a higher sanctioned loan amount. This happens because the lender now considers two incomes instead of one in the application. So, you no longer need to worry about having to compromise on your ideal home due to a shortage of funds," says the Bank of Baroda website. However, there are exceptions. Jagadeesh Mohan, co-founder of cautions that if the primary borrower's income is sufficient to cover the loan, the co-applicant's income may not be considered. But in case of default, the lender can pursue repayment from both parties. Adding a co-applicant with a strong credit score can also help reduce the interest rate on a home loan. Lenders assess the credit profiles of all co-applicants and may offer more favourable terms if one applicant has a particularly strong credit history. 'If one of the applicants has a stronger credit profile, it can result in better loan terms, including lower interest rates or faster approvals. However, if one co-applicant has a lower credit score, joining a secured loan and maintaining timely repayments can help them improve their credit profile," said Chowdhry from Axis Bank. Some banks also provide interest rate discounts for female borrowers. According to BankBazaar, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and Union Bank offer a 5 basis point discount to female primary borrowers, while Bank of India provides a 10-15 basis point reduction. A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. Read this | The home you want to buy already has a loan on it. What should you do? As per Bank Bazaar, once a loan is taken it is difficult to change the primary borrower to a female to get the interest rate discount. Tax benefits of joint home loans For those under the old tax regime, taking a joint home loan can effectively double tax benefits. Each co-owner paying EMIs can claim separate deductions under Section 80C for principal repayment and Section 24(b) for interest paid, said Naisar Shah, director, P.R. Bhuta & Co. Section 80C allows a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh annually on principal repayment, which includes other investments like PPF and ELSS. Section 24(b) permits a ₹2 lakh deduction per person on interest payments. If Mr. A buys a property individually, he can claim up to ₹1.5 lakh under 80C and ₹2 lakh under 24(b). But if Mr. A and his spouse jointly take the loan and split the EMI payments, they can each claim these deductions, effectively doubling the tax break. Capital gains exemptions also work in favour of joint owners. Shah noted that when a jointly owned property is sold, both co-owners can each invest up to ₹50 lakh in Section 54EC bonds to offset capital gains. However, the exemption is proportional to their ownership share. For instance, if a property bought for ₹1 crore is sold, and Mr. A and his spouse contributed ₹60 lakh and ₹40 lakh respectively, they can each claim exemptions based on their 60-40 ownership split, said Prakash Hegde, a Bangalore-based chartered accountant. If ownership shares are unclear, tax authorities typically assume a 50:50 split. Additionally, under Section 54, if the proceeds are reinvested in another residential property, both co-owners can claim capital gains exemptions individually. If the gain is under ₹2 crore, the law permits a once-in-a-lifetime option to invest in two residential properties instead of one. Stamp duty and government subsidies Joint ownership can also lower stamp duty costs, especially if one of the co-owners is a woman. Rajeev Kr. Mishra, founder of SRM Legal, said that some states and union territories offer reduced stamp duty rates for female property owners. In Delhi, for instance, the stamp duty is 7% for male buyers but 5% for women. For joint ownership where one owner is female, the rate drops to 6%. 'Maharashtra offers a stamp duty discount of 1% for a woman buyer. However, the criterion is that the buyer should only be woman. In case of a joint property, both buyers should be women," said Harsh Parikh, partner at Khaitan & Co. "States like Delhi and Himachal Pradesh also have remission in stamp duty for a woman buyer. Delhi gives a 1% discount if the joint buyer is a woman." Read this | Mint Explainer: How RBI's latest rate cut, change in stance impact borrowers, depositors Under PMAY, homebuyers can avail subsidies, but only if a female is listed as a co-owner, barring families without an adult woman. According to Mishra, the scheme requires the property to be the buyer's first home, with no other 'pucca" house in their name. Additionally, government employees are excluded from the subsidy. Should you take a joint home loan? Taking a joint home loan, especially with a female co-owner, can unlock multiple financial benefits, from tax breaks to interest rate discounts. But what happens if one co-borrower dies or wants to exit the loan? Kunal Kabra of Kustodian Life said joint ownership can simplify property transfer if one co-owner dies. "If a co-owner passes away, part of the property remains in the surviving owner's name. This makes it easy to continue the utilization of the property during the transfer phase. In addition, the joint holder ends up with a majority holding instead of an equal holding and hence, dispute resolutions are easier. However, there is not much of a difference in the inheritance laws around it," said Kabra. 'The best option is to create a will." Exiting a joint loan, however, can be complicated. Also read | Details on rent, home loan, TDS: ITR forms seek more disclosures this year 'The exit of a co-borrower is a complex process. It requires lender approval and loan closure/refinance, subject to the lender's terms. The bank's decision usually depends on reassessment of whether the borrower can repay the remaining EMI independently. However, the legal and financial liabilities are applicable to both co-borrowers until the loan amount is completely settled, saidChowdhry from Axis Bank.
Mint
09-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Got a higher salary this April? Here's how to calculate your government ‘bonus'
This year, salaried employees received a 'bonus' in their April salary from the government, as reduced tax rates under the new regime that were announced in Budget 2025 kicked in from 1 April. For salaried individuals who chose the new regime this financial year, employers will have deducted less tax at source (TDS) based on the new slab rates. The monthly increase in salaries from this is between ₹2,900 and ₹9,100 across various income ranges. Employees with a net taxable income above ₹24 lakh will have seen a flat increase of about ₹9,100 because the top marginal rate of 30% applies to incomes above ₹24 lakh. Net taxable income is what you're left with after after removing all possible deductions. In a cost-to-company (CTC) figure, net taxable income comprises fixed components such as basic pay and special allowance–a direct monetary benefit that is fully taxable–and excludes variable pay or bonus, provident fund deduction, gratuity, corporate insurance premium and tax-free allowances. Also read: When buying financial products, scepticism is your best defence The new tax regime gives better visibility over take-home pay as there are few tax-saving components such as house rent allowance (HRA), leave travel allowance (LTA), meals, and children's education allowance in the CTC. The only tax-free allowances or reimbursements available are car lease, fuel bills, driver salary and phone bills. TDS calculation is also relatively simple in the new regime as there are very few deductions that the taxpayer can claim. How to calculate your in-hand pay Many salaried individuals will have switched to the new tax regime this year as the rates have been lowered considerably compared to the old regime. Here's how you can calculate your in-hand pay from your CTC. The CTC has three parts: fixed pay, variable pay (which includes performance based bonus and stock options), and deductibles such as PF and gratuity. Fixed pay consists of basic pay, special allowance, and tax-free allowances. Tax-free allowances available in the new regime include reimbursements on conveyance, driver salary, uniform, phone bills, car lease and gadgets. It is your fixed pay that determines your post-tax in-hand salary. To calculate this, add the basic pay and special allowance. We'll call this amount X. This is the amount on which tax liability and the resulting TDS is calculated. Next, deduct 12% of basic pay towards PF and TDS from X. Add your tax-free allowances or reimbursements to this and you have your take-home salary. The bonus, which is part of variable pay, is paid annually or bi-annually as a lump sum after deducting the applicable tax. Also read | EPF nightmare for NRIs: Service gaps, missing UANs, and frozen funds How to calculate the increase in take-home pay Let us understand how your in-hand salary has increased this year with an example. Say Mr A is a salaried individual with a CTC of ₹50 lakh. Based on the general CTC structure used used by the majority of employers, the breakdown looks like this: basic pay is 30%; tax-free allowances, comprising car lease and fuel reimbursements, make up 15%; and 40% is the special allowance. The rest comprises variable pay, PF contributions and gratuity. Mr A's net annual taxable income works out to ₹33.2 lakh. In FY25, his monthly TDS worked out to ₹55,291, so his post-tax salary was about ₹2.83 lakh, after adding tax-free allowances. But from April 2025 onwards, he has seen his take-home pay increase by about ₹9,000 a month. That's because the monthly TDS on his net income has dropped to ₹46,125, owing to the lower income tax rates. You can find how much your own take-home salary has increased by checking the table above. Also read: ITR forms seek more disclosures this year. Here's what to expect As you can see, it is your fixed pay and not your CTC that determines the tax slab you fall in. In cases where the tax-free allowances are about 15% of CTC and basic pay is 30%, annual pay packages of ₹40 lakh or more will have fixed pay in the 30% income slab. This means an annual CTC below ₹40 lakh is most likely to fall in lower tax slabs. In the new regime, the highest tax of 30% now applies to net incomes above ₹24 lakh, up from ₹15 lakh.
Free Malaysia Today
08-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah scandal ‘whistleblower' fears for safety after Pamela's abduction
The purported whistleblower in the alleged Sabah mining scandal, Mr A, with his lawyers Latheefa Koya and Mahajoth Singh. PETALING JAYA : The purported whistleblower in the alleged Sabah mining scandal, who previously lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), now fears for his safety following the abduction of Pamela Ling. The individual, identified only as Mr A, filed a police report at the district police headquarters here, accompanied by his lawyers Latheefa Koya and Mahajoth Singh. 'Today, Mr A lodged a police report for his own safety following the kidnapping of Ling, who has yet to be found. 'The similarity between both of them is that they were called in to give statements to MACC several times, not just once or twice. He is worried about his safety,' Latheefa told reporters outside the police headquarters. She also said Mr A lodged a police report in November 2024 after receiving a death threat, but claimed that no action had been taken by the authorities. 'The perpetrator sent him a photo of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe,' she said, adding that Abe was assassinated in 2022. MORE TO COME
