Equity-linked saving schemes offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Equity mutual funds have a lock-in period of 3 years and gains are taxed at 15% for less than a year. The top five tax-saving mutual funds on the basis of returns for 3 years are Quant Tax Plan (33.04%), BOI AXA Tax Advantage (23.75%), Mirae Asset Tax Saver Fund (20.04%), Canara Robeco Equity Tax Saver (19.84%), and IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) (18.89%). For 5 years, the top five funds are Quant Tax Plan (22.50%), BOI AXA Tax Advantage (18.26%), Mirae Asset Tax Saver Fund (18.22%), Canara Robeco Equity Tax Saver (17.26%), and IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) (16.24%).