Recurring Deposits are a form of investment that is similar to fixed deposits. It differs from fixed deposits in the manner in which the money is deposited. FDs take in a lump sum amount while RDs accept fixed monthly deposits. Recurring deposits are a relatively low-risk form of investment and helps inculcate strong investment sense in the public. It offers higher returns than a savings account and is offered by all leading banks and financial institutions in the country.

When one is looking to start investing in a recurring deposit, it becomes difficult to understand how much to invest and how the rate of interest and the tenure of RD will effect their investment. This is when a recurring deposit calculator is used.

How to use a RD calculator

The step-by-step guide on how to effectively use a RD calculator is as follows:

1. Open up the RD calculator webpage.
2. There will fields to enter details like monthly deposit amount, rate of interest etc. that need to be filled up. Enter the monthly deposit amount. For example, the deposit amount is INR 2,000.
3. Some calculators will have a rate of interest put in and some will have a scale where one can enter their own rate of interest. For our example, we are using the rate of interest as 7.5%.
4. The last detail to enter is the tenure of the RD. The tenure range can be anywhere between a couple of months to up to 10 years. For our example we are using 2 years.
5. Click ‘calculate’ and the maturity amount will be displayed. For our deposit amount of INR 2,000 at 7.5% interest rate for a period of 2 years, the maturity amount is INR 51, 936.

Eligibility for recurring deposits

A recurring deposit is open to anyone who fits the below eligibility criteria.

1. An individual
2. A minor who is above the age of 10 years if they can provide proof of their name.
3. A minor who is below the age of 10 years if their legal guardian is with them
4. A company, corporate, proprietorship or commercial organization
5. A government organization.

Documents required to open up a recurring deposit

The documents list to open up a recurring deposit is not long and generally includes the following:

1. Filled out application form that can be availed from the bank under which the RD is to be opened.
2. Passport size photographs
3. Identity proof like voter id, aadhar card etc.
4. Address proof like utility bills, bank statements etc.
5. KYC documents as and when the bank requires them.

How is recurring deposit interest calculated?

A good step in understanding how RD calculators work is to understand how recurring deposit and their interest rates work. The interest on RD is compounded quarterly by most banks and financial institutions. The formula to calculate maturity value of a RD is as follows:
M = R[(1+i)^n-1]/(1-(1+i)^(-1/3) )
Where,

M = Maturity Value

R = Monthly Installment

n = Number of quarters

I = Rate of interest/400

As evident by the formulae, manually calculating the maturity value would be a hard task and will take much time. This is when using a RD calculator will be extremely beneficial.

Benefits of investing in a recurring deposit

Tax implications of investing in a recurring deposit

Recurring deposits attract taxes like other investment instruments do. A TDS of 10% is deducted on the recurring deposit. The TDS is only deducted if the income from the interest is not more than INR 10,000 in one financial year. It is worth noting that only the interest income is taxable and not the maturity amount. Tax is to be paid as per the income tax slab. If the investor is not earning taxable income then Form 15G is to be filled out in order to avoid TDS on both RDs and FDs.

Recurring Deposit Interest rates and tenures from leading banks

The interest rate range and tenures, for recurring deposits, available at some of the leading Indian banks are as follows.

Factors affecting RD interest rates

RD Calculator FAQs:

1. Is there a minimum amount to start a RD account?

Some banks and financial institutions do have a minimum amount to open up a RD account.

2. How much TDS is applicable on RD?

As of June 1, 2015, a TDS of 10% is applicable on RDs.

3. Can I withdraw my RD before the tenure ends?

Yes premature withdrawal is allowed albeit on charge of a fee.

4. What is the tenure range for a RD?

The tenure for a RD ranges from a couple of months to up to 10 years.