Equity-linked saving schemes (ELSS) are the best way to save tax in 2017 . The Economic Times assessed 10 tax-saving options on eight key parameters, including returns, safety , liquidity , costs, transparency , flexibility , ease of investment and taxability of income. ELSS funds scored highest, followed by the National Pension System (NPS) and Ulips at the second and third place, respectively . The terrific returns generated by ELSS (CAGR of 18.7% in past three years and 17.46% in past five years) are not the only plus point of these funds. Their costs are very low (2.52.75% a year) and all charges, portfolios and transactions are in the public domain. Returns are tax free because long-term capital gains from equity funds are exempt and they have the shortest lock-in period of three years. Investing in ELSS funds has now become very easy with the launch of the e-KYC facility . The whole process does not take more than 30-35 minutes. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Aut...