Short-term capital gain tax on mutual funds
The 2024 Budget introduced significant changes to capital gains tax for mutual funds under the Income Tax Act, 1961. A key update was in the taxation of specified mutual funds, such as debt and hybrid funds.
Previously, specified mutual funds were taxed based on a holding period of 36 months: Short-term gains were taxed at slab rates, while long-term gains were taxed at 20% with indexation benefits. Under the new rules, however, gains on specified mutual funds will be taxed as short-term capital gains at the taxpayer's slab rate, regardless of the holding period. This revision applies only to units acquired after April 1, 2023.
A “Specified Mutual Fund” is defined as:
STCG rates, holding period on various mutual fund schemes
Asset Type
|
Earlier rules Holding Period
|
Earlier rules STCG
|
New rules after Budget 2024 Holding Period
|
New rules after Budget 2024 STCG
|
Equity mutual funds
|
Up to 12 months
|
15%
|
Up to 12 months
|
20%
|
Debt mutual funds purchased before April 1, 2023
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Debt mutual funds purchased after April 1, 2023
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
Domestic equity ETFs
|
Up to 12 months
|
15%
|
Up to 12 months
|
20%
|
International equity ETFs (listed in India) before April 1, 2023
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 12 months
|
Slab rates
|
International equity ETFs (listed in India) after April 1, 2023
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
International equity ETFs (listed outside India)
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Domestic debt ETFs purchased before April 1, 2023
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Domestic debt ETFs purchased after April 1, 2023
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
International debt ETFs purchased before April 1, 2023
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
International debt ETFs purchased after April 1, 2023
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
All fund of funds
|
|
|
|
|
Equity-oriented (invests minimum 90% in equity-oriented fund and such equity-oriented fund also invests 90% of proceeds in listed equity shares in India)
|
Up to 12 months
|
15%
|
Up to 12 months
|
20%
|
Other funds purchased before April 1, 2023 (less than 65% in debt)*
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Other funds purchased after April 1, 2023 (less than 65% in debt)*
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
International fund of funds*
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Gold mutual fund before April 1, 2023
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Gold mutual fund after April 1, 2023*
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Gold ETFs before April 1, 2023
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 12 months
|
Slab rates
|
Gold ETFs after April 1, 2023*
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 12 months
|
Slab rates
|
Dynamic/Multi-asset allocation funds
|
|
|
|
|
Aggressive hybrid fund*
|
Up to 12 months
|
15%
|
Up to 12 months
|
20%
|
Balanced hybrid fund*
|
Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Conservative hybrid fund (Purchased before April 1, 2023)
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Up to 36 months
|
Slab rates
|
Up to 24 months
|
Slab rates
|
Conservative hybrid fund (Purchased after April 1, 2023)
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
Always short-term
|
Slab rates
|
*New rates will come into effect from April 1, 2025
Impact of Union Budget on short-term capital gains tax for SIPs
When investing in mutual funds through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), each installment is treated as a separate investment for tax purposes. This approach impacts the calculation of holding periods and the applicable tax rate. For example, if you invest Rs. 20,000 in an equity mutual fund through SIP, each contribution is individually tracked to determine short- or long-term capital gains.
The Budget brought some changes to capital gains taxes for mutual funds. The Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax rate has increased from 10% to 12.5%, resulting in slightly higher taxes for long-term investors. However, small investors might benefit from an increased LTCG exemption limit, now raised to Rs. 1.25 lakh. Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) tax on equity mutual funds has also increased to 20%, impacting investors with shorter holding periods.
The Budget also introduced Section 50AA, which impacts mutual funds with more than 65% of their investments in debt and money market instruments. These funds will now be treated differently for tax purposes, while Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), Gold Mutual Funds, and Gold ETFs are excluded from this definition and will not fall under the "specified mutual funds" category.
Example of Short-Term Capital Gain Tax (STCG) on Mutual Funds
Calculating short-term capital gain for a share is straightforward. Just subtract the original cost of the share from its final selling price. For example, consider the purchase of 100 shares of ABC Ltd. at Rs. 100 each, sold at Rs. 120 each after six months:
Sale Price = Rs. 120 x 100 shares = Rs. 12,000
Purchase Price = Rs. 100 x 100 shares = Rs. 10,000
Short-Term Capital Gain = Rs. 12,000 - Rs. 10,000 = Rs. 2,000
Short-term capital gain tax on equity and non-equity assets
- Equity-oriented assets such as equity mutual funds are subject to STCG tax at a flat rate of 20% if held for less than 12 months. For example, if an investor sells equity shares after holding them for 9 months and earns a profit of Rs. 50,000, the STCG tax of 20% would apply to this gain.
- For non-equity assets like units of debt oriented mutual funds, bonds, and gold, the short-term capital gains tax is added to the individual's total income and taxed as per their applicable income tax slab.
Short-term capital gain tax on shares
Short-term capital gains from shares are profits from selling your holdings after holding them for a specified duration of either 12 months or 24 months. If you sell shares that are listed on a stock exchange within 12 months of buying them, any gains you make are classified as short-term capital gains.
However, for shares not traded on a stock exchange (unlisted), if you sell them within 24 months of purchase, the gains are considered short-term capital gains.
How to calculate of short-term capital gain on shares?
To calculate Short-Term Capital Gain (STCG) on shares, subtract the purchase price from the sale price of shares sold within 12 months. The formula is:
STCG = Sale Price - Purchase Price - Expenses related to sale.
STCG on listed shares in India is taxed at 15%, as per Section 111A of the Income Tax Act, after considering expenses like brokerage and transaction fees. Tax exemptions may apply in specific cases.
Tips to reduce the burden of STCG on shares
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) on shares can significantly increase your tax liability. However, strategic financial planning can help reduce this burden. Here are some effective tips to minimise the impact of STCG on your overall tax payment:
- Utilise capital losses
Offset STCG by adjusting it against any capital losses from other assets or investments. This can reduce the taxable amount, effectively lowering your tax burden.
- Hold investments for longer
Where possible, hold your investments for over 12 months to benefit from Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) taxation, which is generally taxed at a lower rate than STCG.
- Tax-loss harvesting
Sell underperforming assets to realise a loss, which can be used to offset STCG. This tax-loss harvesting method helps balance gains with losses.
- Invest in tax-efficient funds
Opt for tax-efficient mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that align with long-term holding strategies, reducing STCG liabilities.
Short-term capital gain tax on property
- Calculation: Short-term capital gain on property = Final sale price - cost of acquisition - improvement cost of assets – Transfer expenses.
- For real estate properties, the short-term holding period is less than 24 months. If a property is sold within this period, any gains made from the sale would be classified as short-term capital gains. Hence, profit earned from selling such capital asset is categorized as an individual’s income and is liable to taxation according to Indian Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Certain exemptions are available on short-term capital gains from the sale of specific assets, like residential house properties under Section 54, which states, if the gains from the sale of a residential house property are reinvested in another residential house property within the specified time, the investor can claim exemption on the capital gains.
Short-term capital gain tax on hybrid funds
Hybrid funds combine both debt and equity instruments, offering investors portfolio diversification. Tax rates for STCG on these funds vary based on holding periods and equity exposure. Funds with over 65% equity exposure are taxed like equity funds; otherwise, debt fund tax rules apply. It's essential for investors to know the equity exposure of chosen hybrid funds..
Exemption on short-term capital gains
As per the Income Tax Act and the latest changes proposed in Union Budget 2024, you can claim several exemptions available under Section 54B and Section 54D to reduce your tax liability arising from short-term capital gains (STCG). However, this benefit is available upon satisfying some specific conditions. Let’s understand this in detail:
- Section 54B: This section allows you to avoid paying tax on short-term capital gains if you sell agricultural land used for farming and then reinvest the proceeds into another agricultural property.
- Section 54D: This section offers a similar benefit for gains from selling industrial land or buildings. If you reinvest the proceeds in another industrial property, you can also reduce your tax liability.
It must be noted that the primary aim of these exemptions is to promote reinvestment in certain types of properties. Hence, the government lessens the tax burden on gains arising from their sale.
Tips for reducing taxes on short term capital gains
While minimising taxes is attractive, it shouldn't be your primary driver for choosing mutual funds. A strong investment strategy aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. However, you can incorporate tax-efficiency strategies to enhance your overall returns:
- Harness the power of long-term investing: Holding mutual fund units for a longer period (typically over one year) helps you benefit from lower tax rates. Long-term capital gains (LTCGs) on equity funds attract a more favourable tax treatment compared to short-term capital gains (STCGs).
- Explore tax-saving investment options: Consider allocating a portion of your portfolio to Equity-Linked Saving Schemes. These mutual funds offer a tax deduction on your investment amount under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. This can significantly reduce your taxable income and offer some tax savings benefits.
By combining a long-term investment approach with tax-efficient options like ELSS funds, you can achieve your financial goals while minimising your tax burden. Remember, consult a financial advisor to ensure these strategies align with your specific investment needs and risk profile.
Why is understanding STCG important?
The concept of short-term capital gains (STCGs) plays a crucial role in understanding your potential returns and tax implications when investing in mutual funds. Both factors are essential for making informed investment decisions.
STCGs and investment horizon:
- Targeting short-term gains: If your investment horizon is short-term (less than a year), you might prioritise mutual funds with the potential for higher STCGs. This approach can be suitable for meeting short-term financial goals.
- Long-term considerations: For long-term investment goals, tax efficiency becomes more critical. STCGs are generally taxed at a higher rate compared to long-term capital gains (LTCGs). Therefore, if the potential tax difference on a Rs. 5,000 STCG outweighs the immediate gain (e.g., facing a Rs. 6,000 higher tax bill), holding the investment for the long term to qualify for LTCG benefits might be a wiser strategy. This allows you to potentially keep more of your returns.
Conclusion
In conclusion, short-term capital gains tax (STCG) is an important aspect of taxation that investors must consider while making financial decisions. Understanding the holding period of assets and the applicable tax rates can help investors optimise their tax liabilities and plan their investments more efficiently.
Additionally, exploring the exemptions available on short-term capital gains can further enhance the tax efficiency of your investment portfolio. As with any tax-related matters, it is advisable to seek professional advice and stay updated with the latest tax regulations to make the most of your investments and achieve your financial goals effectively.
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