Tax on Shares India 2025-26 — LTCG, STCG & Intraday
Updated: 3 June 2026 | Budget 2024 Rates | Section 111A & 112A
LTCG on listed shares (held >12 months, STT paid): 12.5%, first ₹1.25L exempt/year. STCG (≤12 months): 20%. Intraday: speculative business income at slab rates. Both LTCG and STCG rates increased in Budget 2024 (from 10%/15%).
₹1.25L
LTCG on equity shares exempt up to ₹1.25 lakh per year — tax-harvest annually to zero out.
Budget 2024 raised exemption from ₹1L to ₹1.25L; LTCG rate from 10% to 12.5% (effective 23 July 2024).
Budget 2024 raised exemption from ₹1L to ₹1.25L; LTCG rate from 10% to 12.5% (effective 23 July 2024).
Share Trading Tax Rates — FY 2025-26
| Trade Type | Holding Period | Tax Head | Tax Rate | ITR Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listed equity (delivery) | >12 months | LTCG (112A) | 12.5% (₹1.25L exempt) | ITR-2/3 |
| Listed equity (delivery) | ≤12 months | STCG (111A) | 20% | ITR-2/3 |
| Intraday equity | Same day | Speculative business | Slab rate | ITR-3 |
| F&O (Futures) | Any | Non-spec. business | Slab rate | ITR-3 |
| F&O (Options) | Any | Non-spec. business | Slab rate | ITR-3 |
| Unlisted equity | >24 months | LTCG | 12.5% (no indexation) | ITR-2/3 |
| Unlisted equity | ≤24 months | STCG | Slab rate | ITR-2/3 |
Capital Gains Loss Set-off Rules
| Loss Type | Can Set Off Against | Cannot Set Off Against | Carry Forward |
|---|---|---|---|
| STCG loss (listed equity) | Any STCG + any LTCG | Salary, FD, business income | 8 years |
| LTCG loss (listed equity) | LTCG only | STCG, salary, business income | 8 years |
| Intraday speculative loss | Speculative profit only | Everything else | 4 years |
| F&O loss (non-speculative) | Any business income, salary | Speculative profit | 8 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tax on long-term capital gains (LTCG) on shares?
LTCG on listed equity shares held for more than 12 months (where STT paid on sale): 12.5% under Section 112A (effective from 23 July 2024; earlier 10%). Exemption: ₹1,25,000 per year (gains up to ₹1.25L are tax-free). No indexation allowed. + 4% Health & Education Cess. Surcharge capped at 15% for LTCG even if total income >₹2Cr. Example: Buy shares at ₹5L in Jan 2023, sell at ₹8L in Feb 2025 — Gain = ₹3L; Taxable LTCG = ₹3L - ₹1.25L = ₹1.75L; Tax = 12.5% × ₹1.75L = ₹21,875 + cess.
What is the tax on short-term capital gains (STCG) on shares?
STCG on listed equity shares held 12 months or less (STT paid): 20% under Section 111A (effective from 23 July 2024; earlier 15%). + 4% cess. No exemption limit. Example: Buy at ₹2L, sell at ₹3L within 3 months — STCG = ₹1L; Tax = 20% × ₹1L = ₹20,000 + cess = ₹20,800. Unlisted shares STCG (any holding period < 24 months): taxed at income slab rate. Unlisted shares LTCG (>24 months): 12.5% without indexation (Budget 2024 removed indexation).
How is intraday stock trading taxed?
Intraday trading (buy and sell same day): treated as SPECULATIVE BUSINESS INCOME — taxed at your income slab rate (not as capital gains). If you are in 30% slab, intraday profit = 30% tax. Losses: Speculative losses can only be set off against speculative income — NOT against salary, other business, or capital gains. Carry forward: 4 years (vs 8 years for non-speculative business losses). ITR form: ITR-3 (business income). If total intraday turnover > ₹10 crore (digital), tax audit may be required. Maintain a trading log — exchanges provide contract notes.
Can I set off stock market losses against other income?
STCG losses (listed equity, 111A): can be set off against any STCG or LTCG gain — but NOT against salary, FD interest, or other income. LTCG losses (listed equity, 112A): can ONLY be set off against LTCG gains — NOT against STCG. Carry forward: both STCG and LTCG losses carried forward 8 years (must file ITR on time to claim). LTCG vs STCG set-off rule: LTCG loss cannot be used to offset STCG (only against LTCG); STCG loss can offset both STCG and LTCG. Intraday speculative losses: only against speculative profits; carry forward 4 years. F&O losses (non-speculative): can offset against all business income, even salary.
How to report share trading in ITR?
For delivery-based capital gains (LTCG/STCG): Use ITR-2 or ITR-3. Schedule CG: enter LTCG under "112A" and STCG under "111A" with details of each scrip/transaction. Zerodha, Upstox, and other brokers provide Capital Gains Report. For F&O/intraday: ITR-3 (business income). Annual Information Statement (AIS) on incometax.gov.in shows all high-value stock transactions. Important: Grandfathering rule for shares bought before 31 Jan 2018 — cost of acquisition = higher of actual cost or fair market value on 31 Jan 2018 (for LTCG calculation). Budget 2024 removed grandfathering for NEW purchases after 23 July 2024.
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