Long Term Capital Gains Tax With No Indexation



Quick Summary
New changes to the Finance Bill 2024-25 mean that the indexation benefit for long-term capital gains (LTCG) on assets like property and gold will be removed from July 23, 2024. Taxpayers can choose between the old scheme with indexation or a new scheme for assets acquired before this date. While the LTCG tax rate is reduced to 12.5% for all assets, the removal of indexation could lead to higher tax liabilities for some, as illustrated by an example involving real estate.

Long-term capital gain is the profit from selling an asset held for more than 36 months (reduced to 24 months for real estate after March 31, 2017).

Important Update

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced amendments to the Finance Bill for 2024-25 on 6th August.

The amendments will allow taxpayers to choose between the old scheme with indexation and a new scheme for calculating tax for those who acquire assets before July 23, 2024.

Indexation benefit for LTCG on real estate available only to resident individuals.

This benefit doesn’t apply to companies, LLPs, firms, or NRIs.

It applies only to gains, which means losses cannot be offset or carried forward using this benefit.

Let us understand first the type of assets.

Assets are of two types - financial and non-financial assets.

  • Financial assets are stocks, shares, mutual funds, cash, debentures etc.
  • Non-financial assets are real estate, machinery, gold, land and building.

Capital gain tax means that the government wants a share of profit you made while selling any of the assets mentioned.

Now, the main thing which trending is about proposed future changes for long-term capital gains.

Long Term Capital Gains Tax: No Indexation Explained

What are the proposed changes made?

The proposed changes are:

  • Long-term capital gains tax rate will be 12.5% for all assets.
  • Section 112A has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.25 lakh.
  • Listed bonds and debentures tax rate reduced from 20% to 12.5%.
  • Unlisted bonds and debentures will be taxed at applicable rates, both short-term and long-term, under Section 50AA from July 23, 2024.
  • Indexation for long-term gains on property, gold, and unlisted assets will be removed.

Issues

The issues will be when you sell assets such as Real estate, Gold etc.

For example

Let us assume that Aniket purchased an asset in May 2010 with an amount of Rs. 10,00,000. 

He sold the same house on July 24 with an amount of Rs. 40,00,000.

 

Solution

LTCG with indexation if he would have sold before 23rd July 2024.

The indexed cost of acquisition = 10,00,000 * 363 / 167 = Rs. 21,73,653.

Capital Gain is Rs. 18,26,347

Tax on Long Term Capital Capital gain (18,26,347 @ 20%) = Rs. 3,65,269.


If sold after 23rd July 2024.

Purchase Amount: Rs. 10,00,000

Sale Amount: Rs. 40,00,000

Capital Gain is Rs. (40,00,000 - 10,00,000) = Rs. 30,00,000

 

Tax on Long Term Capital Capital gain (Rs. 30,00,000 @ 12.5%) = 3,75,000.

With the recent changes in tax rate on Long Term Capital Capital gain we can see that Aniket will have to pay 9,731 more tax than before.

FAQ :

A long-term capital gain is the profit made from selling an asset that has been held for more than 36 months, or 24 months for real estate acquired after March 31, 2017.

The indexation benefit for long-term capital gains on property, gold, and unlisted assets will be removed from July 23, 2024.

The proposed new long-term capital gains tax rate will be 12.5% for all assets.

The indexation benefit for LTCG on real estate is only available to resident individuals. It does not apply to companies, LLPs, firms, or Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

No, the indexation benefit applies only to gains and cannot be used to offset or carry forward losses.

The exemption limit for long-term capital gains (LTCG) on listed shares and units under Section 112A has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.25 lakh.




About the Author

Finance Professional

I write about Income Tax, GST, TDS, RBI updates, government schemes, and personal finance in India. My focus is on simplifying complex tax and compliance topics into easy-to-understand guides that help readers stay updated with the latest financial rules, investment options, and regulatory changes.

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