थोडक्यात सारांश
Capital gains (भांडवली नफा) is profit on the transfer of a capital asset such as land, building, shares or gold (Sections 45 to 55). The gain is short-term or long-term depending on how long the asset was held. Income from other sources (Sec 56 to 59) is the residual head for income not covered by the other four heads, such as interest, dividends, lottery winnings and certain gifts.
महत्त्वाचे मुद्दे
- A capital asset is any property held by the assessee, except stock-in-trade, personal movable assets (clothes, furniture, car), and rural agricultural land.
- Holding periods (transfers on or after 23 July 2024): listed securities and units of equity funds – more than 12 months is long-term; all other assets – more than 24 months is long-term.
- Short-term capital gain (STCG) = sale price − expenses on transfer − cost of acquisition − cost of improvement.
- Long-term capital gain (LTCG): since 23 July 2024 generally taxed at 12.5% without indexation. For land or building bought before that date, an individual or HUF may choose 20% with indexation, whichever tax is lower.
- Listed equity shares and equity funds (STT paid): STCG 20% (Sec 111A); LTCG 12.5% on gain above ₹1.25 lakh (Sec 112A).
- Exemptions: Sec 54 (house sold, new house bought), Sec 54F (any long-term asset sold, house bought), Sec 54EC (gain invested in specified bonds within 6 months, up to ₹50 lakh), Sec 54B (agricultural land).
- Other sources include dividends, interest on bank deposits and securities, rent of vacant land or machinery, family pension, and casual income.
- Casual income (lottery, crossword, game shows, online games) is taxed at a flat 30% with no deductions or basic exemption.
- Gifts (Sec 56(2)(x)): money or property above ₹50,000 in a year from non-relatives is taxable; gifts from relatives, on marriage, or by will are exempt.
- Family pension: deduction of one-third or ₹15,000 (₹25,000 in the new regime), whichever is less.
महत्त्वाच्या संज्ञा
- Transfer – sale, exchange, giving up rights, or compulsory acquisition of an asset.
- Cost of improvement – capital expense on additions or alterations to the asset.
- Indexation – raising the cost by the Cost Inflation Index to remove the effect of inflation.
- Securities Transaction Tax (STT) – tax paid on buying and selling shares on a stock exchange.
नमुने व सूत्रे
| Particulars | ₹ |
|---|---|
| Full value of consideration (sale price) | xxx |
| Less: Expenses on transfer (brokerage, stamp duty) | (xxx) |
| Net sale consideration | xxx |
| Less: Cost of acquisition | (xxx) |
| Less: Cost of improvement | (xxx) |
| Capital gain | xxx |
| Less: Exemptions u/s 54 / 54EC / 54F | (xxx) |
| Taxable capital gain | xxx |
५ महत्त्वाचे प्रश्न
Q1. What is a capital asset?
Property of any kind held by the assessee, whether or not connected with business, except stock-in-trade, personal effects and rural agricultural land in India.
Q2. How is casual income taxed?
Winnings from lotteries, crosswords, races and game shows are taxed at a flat 30% (plus cess) under Sec 115BB; no expense or deduction is allowed against them.
Q3. Mrs. Kulkarni bought land in 2016 for ₹20,00,000 and sold it in December 2025 for ₹50,00,000, paying brokerage of ₹50,000. Compute the capital gain and tax at 12.5% (without indexation).
Held for more than 24 months, so it is long-term.
| Particulars | ₹ |
|---|---|
| Sale price | 50,00,000 |
| Less: Brokerage | (50,000) |
| Net sale consideration | 49,50,000 |
| Less: Cost of acquisition | (20,00,000) |
| Long-term capital gain | 29,50,000 |
| Tax @ 12.5% | 3,68,750 |
Cess at 4% is added on the total tax. (She may also compare with 20% after indexation, since the land was bought before 23 July 2024.)
Q4. Explain the exemptions from capital gains under Sections 54, 54EC and 54F.
Outline: who can claim, which asset is sold, in what the gain must be invested, time limits (purchase 1 year before or 2 years after, construction within 3 years; bonds within 6 months), amount exempt, lock-in and withdrawal of exemption on transfer of the new asset.
Q5. What incomes are taxable under "Income from Other Sources"? Explain the deductions allowed.
Outline: Sec 56 list (dividends, interest, casual income, gifts, family pension, rent of machinery, interest on enhanced compensation); deductions under Sec 57 (collection charges, depreciation on let machinery, family pension deduction); Sec 58 disallowances.
परीक्षेसाठी टीप
Always state first whether the gain is short-term or long-term with the holding period. Most marks are lost by applying the wrong tax rate.