Short Term Capital Gain Tax (STCG) - Application and Exemption (2024)

  • What is short-term capital gain tax?
  • Short-term Capital Gain Tax is the tax imposed on short-term capital gains. Short-term Capital Gains are those gains that are realized after selling the assets by holding it for less than the 36 months period.

  • Define short-term capital asset.
  • Any capital asset held by the taxpayer for a time of not over three years immediately preceding the date of its transfer will be considered as short-term capital asset.

  • How 111A is related to Short-term Capital Gain?
  • Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) emerging on account of sale of equity shares listed in a recognized stock exchange, units of equity oriented mutual fund and units of business trust i.e., Short-Term Capital Gains as provided under the section 111A. Segment 111A is appropriate in the event of Short-Term Capital Gains emerging on transfer of equity shares or units of equity oriented mutual funds or units of business trust, which are transferred on or after 1-10-2004 through a perceived stock exchange and that transaction is subject to securities transaction tax (STT).

  • What are the types of short-term capital gains?
  • Short-term capital gains are categorized into two types:

    1) Short-term capital gains as provided under section 111A.

    2) Short-term capital gains other than as provided under section 111A.

  • Does capital gain arising from equity shares qualify for short-term capital gains tax?
  • Short-term capital gains emerging on sale of equity shares listed in a recognized stock exchange, is chargeable to securities transaction tax and are as provided under section 111A. While, Short-term capital gains emerging on sale of equity shares other than through a recognized stock exchange are not as provided under section 111A.

  • What is the tax rate for Short-term Capital Gains?
  • Short-term capital gains as provided under section 111A is subject to tax rate of 15% in addition to surcharge and cess as found applicable. Normal Short-term capital gains, i.e., Short-term capital gains other than as provided under section 111A is charged to tax at normal rate of tax which is determined on the basis of the total taxable income of the taxpayer.

  • What is a basic exemption limit?
  • Basic exemption limit means the level of income up to which a person is not required to pay any tax which implies that there will be no tax liability if the income of the taxpayer falls below the basic exemption limit.

  • What are the provisions related to the Adjustment of Short-term capital gains against the basic exemption limit?
  • A resident individual and resident HUF only can apply for adjustment of the exemption limit against short-term capital gain as provided under section 111A. Hence, a non-resident individual/HUF could not adjust the exemption limit against short-term capital gain as provided under section 111A. A resident individual or HUF can perform the adjustment of the short-term capital gain as provided under section 111A against the basic exemption limit but such adjustment is feasible only after performing the adjustment of other income. In other language, first income apart from short-term capital gain as provided under section 111A would to be adjusted against the exemption limit and then only the residual limit could be adjusted against short-term capital gain as provided under section 111A.

  • How exemption limit is different for residents below 60 years and residents above 60 years?
  • The exemption limit is Rs. 2,50,000 for resident individual of the age below 60 years whereas the exemption limit is Rs. 3,00,000 for resident individual of the age of 60 years or above but below 80 years. Also, for resident individual of the age of 80 years or above, the exemption limit is Rs. 5,00,000.

  • Is there any deduction under section 80C to 80U on Short-term Capital Gain?
  • There is no deduction under sections 80C to 80U is allowed on short-term capital gains referred to in section 111A. Though, such deductions can be claimed from Short-term Capital Gains other than as provided under section 111A.

Short Term Capital Gain Tax (STCG) - Application and Exemption (2024)

FAQs

Is there any exemption for short-term capital gain? ›

Unfortunately, short-term capital gains on shares are not exempted from tax. However, there are specific income levels under which individuals are exempted from paying income tax on short-term capital gains on shares. Resident individuals who are 80 years or above of age with an annual income of up to Rs. 5 Lakh.

What is the basic exemption limit for STCG 111a? ›

The basic exemption limit is the maximum amount that shall not be taxable. Such limit is INR 2.5 lacs, but for senior citizens(60 years or more but less than 80), it is INR 3 lacs and INR 5 lacs for super-senior citizens(80 years of age and above). Thus, the tax rate is nil for income within these specified limits.

Is there a way to avoid short-term capital gains tax? ›

Investments held for less than a year are taxed at the higher, short-term capital gain rate. To limit capital gains taxes, you can invest for the long-term, use tax-advantaged retirement accounts, and offset capital gains with capital losses.

What is the rule for short-term capital gains tax? ›

Gains you make from selling assets you've held for a year or less are called short-term capital gains, and they generally are taxed at the same rate as your ordinary income, anywhere from 10% to 37%.

How do you qualify for capital gains exemption? ›

When does capital gains tax not apply? If you have lived in a home as your primary residence for two out of the five years preceding the home's sale, the IRS lets you exempt $250,000 in profit, or $500,000 if married and filing jointly, from capital gains taxes. The two years do not necessarily need to be consecutive.

Do you have to report all short-term capital gains? ›

While all capital gains are taxable and must be reported on your tax return, only capital losses on investment or business property are deductible.

What is the basic exemption benefit on Stcg? ›

The exemption limit is Rs. 3,00,000 for resident individual of the age of 60 years or above but below 80 years. The exemption limit is Rs. 2,50,000 for resident individual of the age below 60 years.

Can business loss be set off against STCG 111a? ›

As per the income tax rules for set off and carry forward of losses, STCL i.e. Short Term Capital Loss can be set off against both Short Term Capital Gains and Long Term Capital Gains in the current year. Further, they can carry forward the remaining loss for 8 years and set off against future STCG and LTCG.

What is Section 112 of short term capital gains? ›

Section 112A applies to LTCG from equity investments and taxes gains above ₹1 lakh at 10% without indexation. Section 112 deals with LTCG from non-equity assets, taxed at 20% with indexation benefits.

How do I offset short-term capital gains tax? ›

Utilize tax-loss harvesting

This strategy involves selling underperforming investments and booking a loss. You can use these capital losses to offset taxable investment gains and up to $3,000 each year of ordinary income.

How do day traders avoid short-term capital gains? ›

The Mark-To-Market Method

This method takes advantage of the ability of day traders to offset capital gains with capital losses. Investors can get a tax deduction for any investments they lost money on and use that to avoid or reduce capital gains tax. Normally, you can only deduct up to $3,000 in losses.

What is the 6 year rule for capital gains tax? ›

Going by your list, the 6-year rule covers the first 6 years you rent your property out. After this when it's vacant for 6 months you can still treat it as your main residence because it's not being used to produce income. If you rent it out again straight after, then this period is subject to CGT.

How much short-term capital gain is tax free? ›

Short-term capital gains on listed equity shares and equity-oriented mutual funds are tax-exempt up to Rs. 1 lakh per financial year. Gains exceeding this limit are taxed at a flat rate of 15%.

At what age do you not pay capital gains? ›

Capital Gains Tax for People Over 65. For individuals over 65, capital gains tax applies at 0% for long-term gains on assets held over a year and 15% for short-term gains under a year. Despite age, the IRS determines tax based on asset sale profits, with no special breaks for those 65 and older.

Does everyone pay short-term capital gains tax? ›

If you only held the investment for a year or less, then the short-term capital gains tax rates will apply. These tax rates and brackets are the same as those applied to ordinary income, like your wages, and currently range from 10% to 37% depending on your income level.

What if my only income is short-term capital gains? ›

Short-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income. Any income that you receive from investments that you held for one year or less must be included in your taxable income for that year.

Can you write off short-term capital gains? ›

It's also beneficial to deduct them against short-term gains which have a much higher tax rate than long-term capital gains. Your short-term capital loss must first offset a short-term capital gain before it can be used to offset a long-term capital gain.

Can you reinvest to avoid short-term capital gains? ›

The taxpayers can minimize or avoid paying tax by reinvesting capital gains from residential house property under the Income Tax Act, 1961. The taxpayer can either reinvest the capital gains in bonds or in a residential property. The taxpayer needs to fulfil a few conditions in both of the options to gain tax benefits.

What can short-term capital gains offset? ›

Key Takeaways

Short-term losses offset short-term capital gains first while long-term losses offset long-term gains. If the net result of offsetting calculations is a loss, the taxpayer can deduct up to $3,000 of the net capital loss against ordinary income for the year.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 6077

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.