Capital Gains Tax Calculator India 2025-26 | STCG LTCG Calculator | CalcWise

Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Calculate tax on profits from selling stocks, mutual funds, or property

✨ Updated for FY 2025-26 (Budget 2025)

⚡ Try Quick Scenarios

Include all income sources for surcharge calculation
Original cost of acquisition
Final sale consideration received

Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG)

Holding Period:

Capital Gains:
Tax Rate:
Base Tax:
Surcharge:
Cess (4%):

Total Tax Payable

📊 Tax Breakdown

💼 Real Capital Gains Tax Examples for Indians

See how capital gains tax works in real scenarios (FY 2025-26)

📈 Example 1: Profit from Selling Stocks (LTCG)

Transaction Details:

  • Stock: Reliance Industries shares
  • Purchase: ₹5,00,000 (Jan 2022)
  • Sale: ₹8,00,000 (March 2025)
  • Holding Period: 38 months (>1 year = LTCG)
  • Capital Gain: ₹3,00,000
  • Annual Income: ₹10 lakh

Tax Calculation:

Capital Gain: ₹3,00,000

Exemption: -₹1,25,000 (first ₹1.25L exempt)

Taxable: ₹1,75,000

Tax @ 12.5%: ₹21,875

Cess @ 4%: ₹875

Total Tax: ₹22,750

Net Profit After Tax: ₹2,77,250

⚡ Example 2: Quick Stock Sale (STCG)

Transaction Details:

  • Stock: TCS shares
  • Purchase: ₹2,00,000 (Jan 2025)
  • Sale: ₹2,50,000 (Aug 2025)
  • Holding Period: 7 months (≤1 year = STCG)
  • Capital Gain: ₹50,000
  • Annual Income: ₹8 lakh

Tax Calculation:

Capital Gain: ₹50,000

STCG Rate: 20%

Tax @ 20%: ₹10,000

Cess @ 4%: ₹400

Total Tax: ₹10,400

Net Profit After Tax: ₹39,600

💡 Holding for 5 more months would save ₹10,400 tax!

🏠 Example 3: Selling Residential Property (LTCG)

Property Details:

  • Type: 2BHK Flat in Mumbai
  • Purchase: ₹50,00,000 (2020)
  • Renovation: ₹5,00,000 (2022)
  • Sale: ₹75,00,000 (2025)
  • Transfer Expenses: ₹1,50,000
  • Holding: 5 years (>2 years = LTCG)
  • Annual Income: ₹15 lakh

Tax Calculation:

Sale Price: ₹75,00,000

– Purchase: ₹50,00,000

– Improvement: ₹5,00,000

– Expenses: ₹1,50,000

Gain: ₹18,50,000

Tax @ 12.5%: ₹2,31,250

Cess @ 4%: ₹9,250

Total Tax: ₹2,40,500

Net Gain After Tax: ₹16,09,500

💡 Can save tax by reinvesting in another house (u/s 54)

📉 Example 4: Selling at Loss

Transaction Details:

  • Stock: Yes Bank shares
  • Purchase: ₹3,00,000 (2023)
  • Sale: ₹2,00,000 (2025)
  • Holding: 2 years (LTCG)
  • Capital Loss: ₹1,00,000

Tax Implications:

Capital Loss: ₹1,00,000

No tax payable

Loss Utilization:

• Set off against other capital gains in same year

• LTCG loss can offset any capital gains

• Carry forward for 8 years if unused

📌 Must file ITR to carry forward losses, even if no tax payable

📋 Tax Rates Quick Reference (FY 2025-26)

Asset Type Holding Period STCG Tax Rate LTCG Tax Rate Special Benefits
Listed Equity Shares ≤12 months = STCG
>12 months = LTCG
20% + 4% cess 12.5% + 4% cess ₹1.25L exemption (LTCG)
Equity Mutual Funds ≤12 months = STCG
>12 months = LTCG
20% + 4% cess 12.5% + 4% cess ₹1.25L exemption (LTCG)
Residential Property ≤24 months = STCG
>24 months = LTCG
Slab Rate + cess 12.5% + 4% cess Section 54, 54EC exemptions
Commercial Property ≤24 months = STCG
>24 months = LTCG
Slab Rate + cess 12.5% + 4% cess Section 54EC only

STCG = Short-Term

Higher tax rates, no exemptions

LTCG = Long-Term

Lower rates, exemptions available

💡 Pro Tip

Hold assets longer for better tax rates

🔧 How Capital Gains Tax Works – Detailed Guide

Step 1: Determine Asset Type

Capital assets are classified as:

📈 Stocks/Equity MF

Listed equity shares, equity mutual funds, equity ETFs

🏠 Property

Land, building, house, apartment, commercial property

Step 2: Calculate Holding Period

Holding Period = Sale Date – Purchase Date

For Stocks/Equity MF:

STCG: ≤ 12 months

LTCG: > 12 months

For Property:

STCG: ≤ 24 months (2 years)

LTCG: > 24 months

Step 3: Calculate Capital Gains

For Stocks/Mutual Funds:

Capital Gain = Sale Price – Purchase Price – Brokerage

For Property:

Capital Gain = Sale Price – Purchase Price – Improvement Cost – Transfer Expenses

Improvement: Major repairs, additions | Transfer: Brokerage, registration, legal fees

Step 4: Apply Tax Rates (FY 2025-26)

Asset Type STCG Rate LTCG Rate Special Notes
Stocks/Equity MF 20% 12.5% ₹1.25L exemption for LTCG
Property Slab Rate 12.5% No indexation from FY 2023-24

Step 5: Add Surcharge & Cess

Surcharge (on Base Tax):

≤₹50L

0%

>₹50L-1Cr

10%

>₹1Cr-2Cr

15%

>₹2Cr-5Cr

25%

>₹5Cr

37%

Health & Education Cess:

4% on (Base Tax + Surcharge)

Final Tax = Base Tax + Surcharge + Cess

❓ Comprehensive FAQ on Capital Gains Tax

What is the difference between STCG and LTCG?

Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) apply when you sell assets within a short period (≤1 year for stocks, ≤2 years for property). Taxed at higher rates. Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) apply after longer holdings, with lower tax rates and exemptions (₹1.25 lakh for stocks).

What are the updated capital gains tax rates for FY 2025-26?

Stocks/Equity MF: STCG at 20% + 4% cess | LTCG at 12.5% + 4% cess (after ₹1.25L exemption)
Property: STCG at your income tax slab rate | LTCG at 12.5% + 4% cess (no indexation benefit)

Is indexation benefit available for property sales?

No. The indexation benefit (adjusting purchase cost for inflation using Cost Inflation Index) has been removed for property LTCG from FY 2023-24 onwards. Property LTCG is now taxed at a flat 12.5% without indexation. This applies to FY 2025-26 as well.

How is the holding period calculated accurately?

Holding period = Number of days between purchase date and sale date. For stocks/equity MF: >365 days = LTCG, ≤365 days = STCG. For property: >730 days (2 years) = LTCG, ≤730 days = STCG. Use exact transaction dates from contract notes/sale deed.

What exemptions or deductions are available for capital gains?

Stocks LTCG: First ₹1.25 lakh gains in a financial year are completely tax-free.
Property LTCG: Reinvest in residential house (Section 54) or NHAI/REC bonds (Section 54EC) to claim exemption. Maximum ₹50 lakh in bonds.
Capital Losses: Can offset against other capital gains or carry forward up to 8 assessment years.

How does surcharge and cess apply to capital gains?

Surcharge is calculated on total taxable income (salary + capital gains + other income). Rates: 10% (>₹50L-1Cr), 15% (>₹1Cr-2Cr), 25% (>₹2Cr-5Cr), 37% (>₹5Cr). After adding surcharge to base tax, 4% health and education cess is applied on (tax + surcharge) to arrive at final tax liability.

Can I set off capital losses from stocks against property gains?

Yes, with conditions: LTCG losses can be set off against both STCG and LTCG. STCG losses can only be set off against STCG (not LTCG). Losses from equity/stocks can offset property gains and vice versa as long as STCG/LTCG type matches.

Do I need to file ITR if I have only capital losses?

Yes, you must file Income Tax Return to carry forward capital losses even if total income is below taxable limit. Losses can be carried forward for 8 assessment years, but only if ITR is filed before the due date for that year.

What expenses can be deducted while calculating property capital gains?

Allowed Deductions: (1) Cost of improvement – major repairs, renovations, additions made after purchase, (2) Transfer expenses – brokerage, stamp duty, registration fees, legal fees paid during sale. Regular maintenance and minor repairs are NOT allowed.

How is STCG on property taxed?

Property STCG is added to your total income and taxed at your applicable income tax slab rate (5%/20%/30% depending on total income) plus surcharge (if applicable) plus 4% cess. It’s not taxed separately like stocks STCG at 20%.

Is TDS deducted on property sale proceeds?

Yes. Buyer must deduct TDS @ 1% on property sale value if sale consideration exceeds ₹50 lakh. For resident sellers, TDS is 1%. For NRI sellers, TDS is 20% (plus surcharge and cess). TDS certificate (Form 16B) must be issued within 15 days.

Can I claim Section 54 exemption if I already own a house?

Yes, but with conditions: You can own ONE other residential house on the date of sale. If you purchase/construct new house, you cannot buy another house within 3 years (1 year prior to sale + 2 years after sale). Violating this attracts tax on previously exempted gains.

When should I consult a Chartered Accountant?

Consult CA for: (1) Property sales with complex improvement costs or inherited property, (2) Multiple asset sales in same year, (3) Claiming Section 54/54EC exemptions, (4) Capital gains >₹10 lakh, (5) International property transactions, (6) Setting off/carrying forward losses, (7) TDS refund claims or advance tax planning.