Long-term capital gains arise from the sale of property held for more than 24 months. For property transfers made on or before July 22, 2024, the applicable long term capital gain tax rate is 20% after availing the indexation benefit. For transfers occurring after this date, the tax rate will be reduced to 12.5%, but without the indexation benefit. Certain exemptions may be available to help reduce the taxable amount on your LTCG.
Additionally, for land or building sales after July 23, 2024, taxpayers can choose between paying 20% tax with indexation benefits or 12.5% without indexation if the property was acquired on or before July 22, 2024.
New long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax rules on property
The Budget 2024 announced a significant change in how long-term capital gains (LTCG) from the sale of property are taxed. Previously, the gains were taxed at 20% with the benefit of indexation. Indexation allowed sellers to adjust the purchase price of their property for inflation, which reduced the taxable gains.
Under the new rules, the LTCG tax rate is reduced to 12.5%, but the indexation benefit is removed for the investors who buy property after July 23, 2024. This implies sellers can no longer inflate their purchase price to reduce capital gains.
For example, let us assume Mr. X bought a property for Rs. 25 lakh in FY 2002-2003 and sold it for Rs. 1 crore in FY 2023-2024. Under the old rules, he would adjust the Rs. 25 lakh purchase price for inflation using the Cost Inflation Index (CII), which would have reduced his taxable gains. However, under the new rules, he simply subtracts the purchase price from the sale price. This results in a capital gain of Rs. 75 lakh, which is taxed at 12.5%.
Investors who have bought real estate before July 23, 2024 will now have an option to choose between a lower tax rate without indexation or a higher rate with indexation.
Additionally, for properties bought before April 1, 2001, sellers can choose the higher of the actual purchase price or the property's fair market value as of April 1, 2001, as their purchase price. This ensures they get the most beneficial calculation for their capital gains tax.
When is a capital gain from property deemed to be long term?
The Income Tax Act of 1961 categorizes immovable properties held for more than 24 months as long-term capital assets, subject to Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax. However, a longstanding challenge in tax computation arose from the absence of a specific provision to determine the acquisition date of immovable property, particularly under-construction properties. This ambiguity created uncertainty regarding the appropriate tax treatment for such assets.
How to calculate the long-term capital gains on property
To understand the calculation of LTCG on property, you need to be familiar with the following terms and metrics.
- Full value of consideration
In simple terms, this is the sale value of the house property. It includes consideration received in cash and/or kind.
- Expenses on transfer
This includes any direct or indirect expenses you may incur during the sale. They are subtracted from the sale value.
- Cost of acquisition
This is the cost at which you purchased the house property.
- Cost of improvement
This term refers to the expenses you incurred during the holding period to make any changes, upgrades and improvements to the house property.
It is worth mentioning that after the latest changes proposed in the Union Budget 2024, the indexation benefit has been discontinued for the investors who will buy properties after July 23, 2024. This implies property sellers cannot inflate or adjust their cost of acquisition and cost of improvements for inflation using the Cost Inflation Index (CII). For those investors who have bought real estate before July 23, 2024 will now have an option to choose between a lower tax rate without indexation or a higher rate with indexation.
Example of calculation of LTCG on property
Let us discuss an example for the calculation of LTCG on property. The general process for computing the LTCG is as follows:
Step 1: Begin with the full value of consideration i.e. the sale value.
Step 2: Subtract the expenses incurred during the sale.
Step 3: Subtract the cost of acquisition.
Step 4: Subtract the cost of improvement.
Step 5: Arrive at the long-term capital gains on the house property.
Check out the table below for a hypothetical example of how the LTCG on property sales is calculated using the above-mentioned steps:
Particulars
|
Amount
|
Sale value (A)
|
Rs. 50,50,000
|
Less: Expenses on transfer (B)
|
Rs. 50,000
|
Net sales value (A - B)
|
Rs. 50,00,000
|
Less: Cost of acquisition (COA)
|
Rs. 10,00,000
|
Less: Cost of improvement (COI)
|
Rs. 12,00,000
|
LTCG on the sale of property
|
Rs. 28,00,000
|
Tax implications on LTCG on property
Currently, the long-term capital gains tax rate on property sold in India after April 1, 2017, is 20%, plus applicable cess and surcharge.
Inherited Property:
If you inherit property, you won't pay tax until you sell it. When you do sell, the capital gains will be taxed at the standard rate for other properties.
Key Points:
- Acquisition costs: You can include any commissions or brokerage fees paid when you bought the property.
- Renovation expenses: You can deduct costs of home improvements or construction during your ownership.
What are tax exemptions on long-term capital gains on property sales?
The Income Tax Act offers relief on the LTCG tax in section 54 and section 54F. Check out the details below.
Section 54
Section 54 of the Income Tax Act provides tax relief on long-term capital gains (LTCG) from the sale of a residential property if the proceeds are reinvested in another residential property. This exemption aims to encourage reinvestment in real estate and reduce tax burdens for property sellers.
To qualify for this exemption, the seller must meet specific conditions:
- The property sold must be a long-term capital asset, meaning it was held for more than 24 months before the sale.
- The reinvestment must be made in one residential property within one year before or two years after the sale, or within three years if constructing a new house.
- If the reinvested amount is less than the capital gains, only the invested portion is exempt, and tax applies to the remaining gains.
If the new property is sold within three years, the exemption is revoked, and the earlier LTCG becomes taxable.
Section 54EC
Section 54EC of the Income Tax Act provides tax exemption on long-term capital gains (LTCG) arising from the sale of immovable property, provided the gains are reinvested in specified capital gains bonds. This provision allows taxpayers to defer or avoid capital gains tax while promoting investment in government-backed infrastructure projects.
To claim this exemption, the reinvestment must follow these conditions:
- The capital gains must be invested within six months of the sale in bonds issued by government-backed institutions, such as:
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- Rural Electrification Corporation (REC)
- The maximum investment limit in these bonds is Rs. 50 lakh per financial year.
- The bonds have a five-year lock-in period, meaning they cannot be sold or transferred before maturity.
Section 54B: Exemption for reinvested agricultural land
If you sell agricultural land located outside rural areas, you can claim an exemption on long-term capital gains (LTCG) by reinvesting the gains in another agricultural land within two years from the sale date. This provision helps taxpayers reinvest in agricultural assets while deferring tax liabilities.
Alternatively, if you are unable to reinvest immediately, you can deposit the capital gains amount in a Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS) with a designated bank before the due date for filing your income tax return. This allows you to reinvest the amount within two years, preserving the tax exemption.
However, if the newly purchased agricultural land is sold within three years of acquisition, the earlier tax exemption is revoked, and the previously exempted capital gains become taxable in the year of sale. This rule ensures that the reinvestment remains long-term and continues to support agricultural activities.
Capital Gain Tax Exemptions under Section 54, 54F, 54EC, and 54GB
Section
|
54
|
54EC
|
54F
|
54GB
|
Eligibility
|
Individual / HUF
|
Any Taxpayer
|
Individual / HUF
|
Individual / HUF
|
Asset Sold
|
Residential property (house/land)
|
Long-term capital assets (land/building)
|
Long-term assets other than residential property
|
Residential property (equity shares where the taxpayer owns over 50% of the company’s shares)
|
Investment
|
New residential property (only 1)
|
Bonds (NHAI / RECL / PFC / IRFC)
|
New residential property (only 1)
|
Equity shares of a company in which the taxpayer holds 50% or more shares
|
Purchase Timeline
|
1 year prior or 2 years post-sale (3 years if constructing)
|
Within 6 months of transfer
|
1 year before or 2 years after (3 years if constructing)
|
Before the due date for filing ITR
|
Special Conditions
|
If the asset is sold within 3 years, the exempted capital gain is deducted from the acquisition cost
|
If securities are sold within 5 years, earlier exempted LTCG becomes taxable
|
If sold within 3 years, the exempted capital gain is taxable
|
If sold within 5 years, the exempted capital gain is taxable
|
Threshold
|
₹10 crore
|
Not mentioned
|
Not mentioned
|
Not mentioned
|
Section 54F: Exemption for reinvested capital gains
This section offers tax exemption for capital gains from selling long-term assets (excluding residential properties) under specific reinvestment conditions. The entire sale proceeds must be used to purchase one or two residential properties within 24 months of the sale. Alternatively, the capital gains and sale proceeds can be used for a residential construction project, provided construction is completed within three years of the sale date. If you don't reinvest the entire sale proceeds, the tax exemption will only apply proportionally to the reinvested amount, not the entire capital gain.
Long term capital gain tax rule for different categories
When selling a property held for more than 36 months, Indian taxpayers have two options for calculating long-term capital gains tax:
- 12.5% tax rate without Indexation: This option allows for a lower tax rate of 12.5% on the capital gains. However, it does not account for inflation, which can impact the real purchasing power of the original investment.
- 20% tax rate with Indexation: This more traditional approach involves a higher tax rate of 20%. However, it provides taxpayers with the opportunity to adjust the property's purchase price for inflation using the Cost Inflation Index (CII) published by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. This adjustment can significantly reduce taxable capital gains and, consequently, the overall tax liability.
Note: The choice between these options depends on individual circumstances, including the length of ownership, inflation rates, and the specific tax implications for the taxpayer. It is advisable to consult with a tax professional to determine the most advantageous approach based on your unique situation.
How to save on Capital Gains Tax while selling your property?
Joint ownership to distribute capital gains
- when a property is jointly owned, the capital gains from its sale can be split among the co-owners based on their share in the property.
- this allows each co-owner to use their basic exemption limit, helping reduce overall tax liability.
- for example, mr. and mrs. patel purchased a property for Rs. 40 lakhs a decade ago and sold it for Rs. 1 crore. since they are equal co-owners, each receives Rs. 30 lakhs as capital gains.
- both can claim exemptions up to Rs. 1.25 lakhs each, resulting in total tax savings of Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
Reducing taxable capital gains through selling expenses
- costs such as brokerage fees, legal charges, and advertising expenses incurred while selling a property can be deducted from the sale price.
- this lowers the taxable capital gains and reduces tax liability.
- for instance, mr. gupta sold his property for Rs. 60 lakhs but spent Rs. 2 lakhs on selling-related expenses. the net sale price considered for tax calculation is Rs. 58 lakhs.
Holding period impact on taxation
- properties held for over two years qualify for long-term capital gains tax, which is lower than short-term rates.
Indexation benefit to reduce tax liability
- if a residential property is sold after at least two years of ownership, indexation benefits can be applied.
- indexation adjusts the purchase cost for inflation, effectively reducing taxable capital gains and lowering tax outgo.
Exemption by purchasing a new property under section 54
- reinvesting capital gains from a residential property sale into another residential property allows tax exemption under section 54.
- the new property must be purchased within one year before or two years after selling the existing one, or constructed within three years.
- to claim full exemption, the entire sale proceeds must be reinvested; otherwise, the exemption is granted proportionally.
Exemption by purchasing a new residential property under section 54f
- if capital gains arise from selling an asset other than a residential property, reinvesting in a new residential property can offer tax exemption under section 54f.
- the new property must be purchased within one year before or two years after the sale or constructed within three years.
- the seller must not own more than one other residential property at the time of claiming this exemption.
Reducing tax liability through tax loss harvesting
- losses from mutual fund or stock sales can be set off against capital gains from property sales to reduce tax burden.
- for example, ms. sharma sold shares at a loss of Rs. 3 lakhs while earning Rs. 10 lakhs in capital gains from a property sale. after offsetting the loss, her taxable capital gain is reduced to Rs. 7 lakhs.
Investing in bonds for exemption under section 54ec
- capital gains tax can be saved by investing in specified bonds issued by the national highways authority of india (nhai) or rural electrification corporation (rec).
- the investment must be made within six months from the date of sale.
- for instance, mr. kumar earned Rs. 30 lakhs in long-term capital gains from selling his flat. by investing the full amount in nhai bonds within six months, he can claim a full exemption.
Reinvesting in shares of manufacturing companies under section 54gb
- individuals can reinvest capital gains from selling a residential property into shares of an eligible manufacturing company to claim an exemption.
- this investment option helps defer tax liability while supporting business growth.
Using the capital gain account scheme (CGAS)
- if immediate reinvestment is not possible, capital gains can be deposited in a capital gain account scheme (cgas) to claim an exemption.
- the deposited amount must be used within three years, or it becomes taxable.
Key points to remember
Key points from expert statements on the recent tax changes affecting capital gains from property sales:
- Choice of tax regimes: Taxpayers can now choose between a 12.5% tax rate without indexation or a 20% rate with indexation for long-term capital gains from property sales acquired before July 23, 2024.
- Grandfathering provision: The new rules act as a grandfathering provision for properties acquired before July 23, 2024, providing flexibility in tax planning.
- Tax liability calculation: The government will determine the applicable tax regime based on calculated figures, ensuring fairness and transparency.
- No loss offset: If the Old Tax Regime results in a negative financial outcome, taxpayers cannot offset this loss under the New Tax Regime.
- Balancing tax revenue and taxpayer concerns: The government aims to strike a balance between generating sufficient tax revenue and addressing taxpayers' concerns about the removal of indexation benefits.
- Impact on real estate market: The new tax regime is expected to stimulate investment and sales in the housing market by potentially reducing the tax burden on sellers.
- Flexibility for homeowners: The choice between tax rates offers flexibility for homeowners to select the option that best suits their individual financial circumstances and property appreciation.
- Potential benefits: In cases where property appreciation exceeds inflation, the 12.5% tax rate without indexation might be more advantageous. However, indexation can be beneficial if property appreciation is closer to the inflation rate.
- Boost to affordable housing: The revised tax regime is expected to boost the growth of the affordable housing sector by eliminating concerns over increasing project costs.
- Rollover benefits remain intact: Taxpayers can still avail of rollover benefits under Sections 54, 54F, and 54EC for investing capital gains in residential real estate to avoid taxation.
- Positive Impact on Homeowners and Buyers: The new tax regime is anticipated to have a positive impact on both homeowners and aspiring homebuyers.
Conclusion
This sums up the fundamentals of LTCG on property sales and how the gains are taxed. Keep in mind that the sale or redemption of any capital asset can result in LTCG. This includes mutual funds as well.
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