Tax guide

Capital Gains Tax on Stocks & Mutual Funds

Understand STCG and LTCG on equity investments, broker statements, holding periods, exemptions, AIS checks, and filing handoff steps.

Published 2024-06-01

Understand STCG vs LTCG

Know the difference between short-term and long-term capital gains.

  • STCG: Holding period < 12 months for listed equity
  • LTCG: Holding period ≥ 12 months for listed equity
  • Listed equity includes stocks and equity mutual funds
  • Different rules apply to debt funds and other assets

Know the Tax Rates

Current tax-rate estimate for equity capital gains (FY 2025-26).

  • STCG: 20% flat rate
  • LTCG: 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh exemption
  • No indexation benefit for listed equity
  • Add 4% Health & Education Cess

Calculate Your Gains

Step-by-step calculation of capital gains.

  • Get purchase price and date from contract notes
  • Get sale price and date from contract notes
  • Calculate: Sale Price - Purchase Price - Expenses
  • Separate STCG and LTCG transactions
  • Sum up gains/losses by category

Set-off and Carry Forward

Rules for offsetting gains with losses.

  • STCG loss can set off against both STCG and LTCG
  • LTCG loss can only set off against LTCG
  • Losses can be carried forward for 8 years
  • File ITR on time to carry forward losses