Tuesday, May 21, 2024
HomeMutual FundHow much capital gains tax should I pay if I have no...

How much capital gains tax should I pay if I have no other income source?


Last Updated on May 21, 2024 at 10:24 am

Readers often ask,  “How much capital gains tax should I pay if I have no other income source?”

The answer is quite simple. Up to the tax-free limit (using the then prevailing tax slabs), the capital gains are tax-free if there are no other sources of income (this is quite rare, if not impossible). We shall see examples below.

A reader also asked if this rule applies to the new tax regime. Yes, it is. According to tax expert Manmohan Sethumadhavan, This works by a proviso in sections 112 & 112A of the IT Act, which states,

Provided that in the case of an individual or HUF, being a resident, where the total income as reduced by such long-term capital gains is below the maximum amount which is not chargeable to income-tax, then it shall be reduced by the amount which is not chargeable to income-tax.

Now, let us consider some examples using the new tax regime.

Warning: These examples may give investors ideas about how to save tax in retirement. It is perilous to depend only on income from mutual funds unless you are super rich! These examples are far from practical and only serve to illustrate the law.

Example 1

  • No other sources of taxable income
  • Age < 80
  • Capital gains from equity mutual funds = Rs. 4 lakhs.
  • Tax to be paid = zero.
  • Explanation: Up to Rs. 3 lakhs is tax-free. The first Rs. 1 Lakh capital gain from equity mutual funds is tax-free.
  • The tax-free limit for all other capital gains = Rs. 3 lakhs

Example 2

  • Income after accounting for standard deduction: Rs. 1 Lakh
  • Age < 80
  • Capital gains from equity mutual funds = Rs. 4 lakhs.
  • Tax to be paid = Rs. 10,400
  • Explanation: Up to Rs. 3 lakhs is tax-free. So, Rs. 2 lakhs of the capital gain is tax-free by this.  Then, Rs. 1 Lakh capital gain from equity mutual funds is tax-free. So this leaves Rs. 1 Lakh CG. So 10% tax is Rs. 10,000 + Rs. 400 Health & Education Cess.

Note: Rebate u/s 87A does not apply to Long Term Capital Gains u/s 112A(Charged to tax @ 10%). That is equity mutual funds or shares. Also, see 87A tax rebate benefits are lost if non-taxable MF LTCG is added to ITR! The rebate applies to other long-term and short-term capital gains.

Example 3

  • No other sources of taxable income
  • Age > 80
  • Capital gains from equity mutual funds = Rs. 6 lakhs.
  • Tax to be paid = zero.
  • Explanation: Up to Rs. 5 lakhs is tax-free. The first Rs. 1 Lakh capital gain from equity mutual funds is tax-free.
  • The tax-free limit for all other capital gains = Rs. 5 lakhs

Example 4

  • No other sources of taxable income
  • Age < 80
  • Capital gains from mutual funds with 35% < equity < 65% = Rs. 5 lakhs.
  • Tax to be paid = Rs. 15,600.
  • Explanation: Up to Rs. 3 lakhs is tax-free. The remaining Rs. 2 lakhs is taxable at 20% with indexation. (We shall ignore the indexation here). This is Rs. 40,000
    • Rebate u/s 87A: Rs. 25,000
    • So net tax is. Rs. 15,000
    • Health & Education Cess: Rs. 600. So total Rs. 15,600
  • So up to Rs. 4.25 lakhs is tax-free.

Example 5

  • No other sources of taxable income
  • Age > 80
  • Capital gains from mutual funds with 35% < equity < 65% = Rs. 7 lakhs.
  • Tax to be paid = Rs. 15,600.
  • Explanation: Up to Rs. 5 lakhs is tax-free. The remaining Rs. 2 lakhs is taxable at 20% with indexation. (We shall ignore the indexation here). This is Rs. 40,000
    • Rebate u/s 87A: Rs. 25,000
    • So net tax is. Rs. 15,000
    • Health & Education Cess: Rs. 600. So total Rs. 15,600
  • So up to Rs. 6.25 Lakhs is tax-free.

Example 6

  • Income after accounting for standard deduction: Rs. 1 Lakh
  • Age < 80
  • Capital gains from mutual funds with 35% < equity < 65% = Rs. 4 lakhs.
  • Tax to be paid = Rs. 36,400.
  • Explanation: Up to Rs. 3 lakhs is tax-free. The remaining Rs. 2 lakhs pf CG is taxable at 20% with indexation. (We shall ignore the indexation here). This is Rs. 40,000
    • Rebate u/s 87A: Rs. 25,000
    • So net tax is. Rs. 15,000
    • Health & Education Cess: Rs. 600 So total Rs. 15,600

We want to reiterate that it is impractical to assume all income after retirement would only be from capital gains (it is possible for some people but relatively rare). This is way too risky. So go easy thinking about those SWPs!

Do share this article with your friends using the buttons below.


🔥Enjoy massive discounts on our courses, robo-advisory tool and exclusive investor circle! 🔥& join our community of 5000+ users!


Use our Robo-advisory Tool for a start-to-finish financial plan! More than 1,000 investors and advisors use this!


New Tool! => Track your mutual funds and stock investments with this Google Sheet!


We also publish monthly equity mutual funds, debt and hybrid mutual funds, index funds and ETF screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.


Follow Freefincal on Google News
Follow Freefincal on Google News
Subscribe to the freefincal Youtube Channel. Subscribe button courtesy: Vecteezy.
Subscribe to the freefincal Youtube Channel.
Follow freefincal on WhatsApp Channel
Follow freefincal on WhatsApp

Podcast: Let’s Get RICH With PATTU! Every single Indian CAN grow their wealth! 

Listen to the Lets Get Rich with Pattu Podcast
Listen to the Let’s Get Rich with Pattu Podcast

You can watch podcast episodes on the OfSpin Media Friends YouTube Channel.

Lets Get RICH With PATTU podcast on YouTube
Let’s Get RICH With PATTU podcast on YouTube.

🔥Now Watch Let’s Get Rich With Pattu தமிழில் (in Tamil)! 🔥


  • Do you have a comment about the above article? Reach out to us on Twitter: @freefincal or @pattufreefincal
  • Have a question? Subscribe to our newsletter using the form below.
  • Hit ‘reply’ to any email from us! We do not offer personalized investment advice. We can write a detailed article without mentioning your name if you have a generic question.

Join over 32,000 readers and get free money management solutions delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to get posts via email!


About The Author

Pattabiraman editor freefincalDr M. Pattabiraman(PhD) is the founder, managing editor and primary author of freefincal. He is an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He has over ten years of experience publishing news analysis, research and financial product development. Connect with him via Twitter(X), Linkedin, or YouTube. Pattabiraman has co-authored three print books: (1) You can be rich too with goal-based investing (CNBC TV18) for DIY investors. (2) Gamechanger for young earners. (3) Chinchu Gets a Superpower! for kids. He has also written seven other free e-books on various money management topics. He is a patron and co-founder of “Fee-only India,” an organisation promoting unbiased, commission-free investment advice.


Our flagship course! Learn to manage your portfolio like a pro to achieve your goals regardless of market conditions! More than 3,000 investors and advisors are part of our exclusive community! Get clarity on how to plan for your goals and achieve the necessary corpus no matter the market condition is!! Watch the first lecture for free!  One-time payment! No recurring fees! Life-long access to videos! Reduce fear, uncertainty and doubt while investing! Learn how to plan for your goals before and after retirement with confidence.


Our new course!  Increase your income by getting people to pay for your skills! More than 700 salaried employees, entrepreneurs and financial advisors are part of our exclusive community! Learn how to get people to pay for your skills! Whether you are a professional or small business owner who wants more clients via online visibility or a salaried person wanting a side income or passive income, we will show you how to achieve this by showcasing your skills and building a community that trusts and pays you! (watch 1st lecture for free). One-time payment! No recurring fees! Life-long access to videos!   


Our new book for kids: “Chinchu Gets a Superpower!” is now available!

Both boy and girl version covers of Chinchu gets a superpower
Both the boy and girl-version covers of “Chinchu Gets a superpower”.

Most investor problems can be traced to a lack of informed decision-making. We made bad decisions and money mistakes when we started earning and spent years undoing these mistakes. Why should our children go through the same pain? What is this book about? As parents, what would it be if we had to groom one ability in our children that is key not only to money management and investing but to any aspect of life? My answer: Sound Decision Making. So, in this book, we meet Chinchu, who is about to turn 10. What he wants for his birthday and how his parents plan for it, as well as teaching him several key ideas of decision-making and money management, is the narrative. What readers say!

Feedback from a young reader after reading Chinchu gets a Superpower (small version)
Feedback from a young reader after reading Chinchu gets a Superpower!

Must-read book even for adults! This is something that every parent should teach their kids right from their young age. The importance of money management and decision making based on their wants and needs. Very nicely written in simple terms. – Arun.

Buy the book: Chinchu gets a superpower for your child!


How to profit from content writing: Our new ebook is for those interested in getting side income via content writing. It is available at a 50% discount for Rs. 500 only!


Do you want to check if the market is overvalued or undervalued? Use our market valuation tool (it will work with any index!), or get the Tactical Buy/Sell timing tool!


We publish monthly mutual fund screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.


About freefincal & its content policy. Freefincal is a News Media Organization dedicated to providing original analysis, reports, reviews and insights on mutual funds, stocks, investing, retirement and personal finance developments. We do so without conflict of interest and bias. Follow us on Google News. Freefincal serves more than three million readers a year (5 million page views) with articles based only on factual information and detailed analysis by its authors. All statements made will be verified with credible and knowledgeable sources before publication. Freefincal does not publish paid articles, promotions, PR, satire or opinions without data. All opinions will be inferences backed by verifiable, reproducible evidence/data. Contact information: letters {at} freefincal {dot} com (sponsored posts or paid collaborations will not be entertained)


Connect with us on social media


Our publications

You Can Be Rich Too with Goal-Based Investing

You can be rich too with goal based investingPublished by CNBC TV18, this book is meant to help you ask the right questions and seek the correct answers, and since it comes with nine online calculators, you can also create custom solutions for your lifestyle! Get it now.


Gamechanger: Forget Startups, Join Corporate & Still Live the Rich Life You Want Gamechanger: Forget Start-ups, Join Corporate and Still Live the Rich Life you wantThis book is meant for young earners to get their basics right from day one! It will also help you travel to exotic places at a low cost! Get it or gift it to a young earner.


Your Ultimate Guide to Travel

Travel-Training-Kit-Cover-new This is an in-depth dive into vacation planning, finding cheap flights, budget accommodation, what to do when travelling, and how travelling slowly is better financially and psychologically, with links to the web pages and hand-holding at every step. Get the pdf for Rs 300 (instant download)


 



RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -
Google search engine

Most Popular

Recent Comments