Capital Gains Tax Guides for Indian Investors
In-depth guides on tax loss harvesting, LTCG exemption, FIFO rules, and year-end tax planning strategies — with real examples and exact calculations.
62 articles
What Is Tax Loss Harvesting in India? A Complete Guide
Learn what tax loss harvesting is, how it works under Indian tax law, set-off rules for STCL and LTCL, and how to reduce your capital gains tax legally.
Tax Loss Harvesting Examples: Worked Calculations with Exact Numbers
See 4 worked examples of tax loss harvesting in India with exact rupee calculations. Learn how STCL and LTCL offsets work with real numbers.
How STCL Offsets STCG: Maximizing Your 20% Tax Savings
Learn how short-term capital losses offset short-term capital gains at 20% tax rate. Detailed examples and scenarios for Indian stock investors.
STCL Can Offset LTCG: The Cross-Term Rule Explained
STCL can offset LTCG but LTCL cannot offset STCG. Learn the cross-term capital loss set-off rule with worked examples and tax saving calculations.
When NOT to Harvest Losses: 5 Scenarios Where It Backfires
Tax loss harvesting is not always smart. Learn 5 scenarios where booking losses hurts you: no gains, recovery likely, LTCL-only, FIFO traps, and more.
Tax Loss Harvesting March Checklist: Year-End Action Plan
Complete year-end checklist for tax loss harvesting before March 31. Review gains, identify losses, check FIFO cost basis, and execute before the deadline.
Loss Harvesting vs Gain Harvesting: Which Strategy Should You Use?
Compare tax loss harvesting and gain harvesting strategies for Indian investors. Learn when to use each, how they work together, and priority ordering.
India Has No Wash Sale Rule: What This Means for Tax Loss Harvesting
India has no wash sale rule unlike the US. You can sell stocks for tax loss harvesting and rebuy immediately. Learn the rules, benefits, and practical tips.
How FIFO Affects Tax Loss Harvesting: What Every Investor Must Know
FIFO determines which lot is sold first when you harvest losses. Learn how multiple buy lots at different prices affect your tax loss harvesting strategy.
Tax Loss Harvesting with Mutual Funds in India
Learn how tax loss harvesting works with equity mutual funds in India. STCL from funds offsets stock gains. Key considerations: exit load, NAV timing, FIFO.
How Much Tax Can You Save with Loss Harvesting? Calculator and Tables
Calculate exact tax savings from loss harvesting. STCL saves 20%, LTCL saves 12.5%. See tables showing savings at every loss amount from Rs 25K to Rs 10L.
Should You Book Losses When You Have Zero Gains?
Should you sell stocks at a loss when you have no capital gains? Usually no. Learn the exceptions: expected future gains, loss about to turn long-term, and more.
Tax Loss Harvesting for Beginners: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
New to tax loss harvesting? This beginner-friendly guide explains the strategy in plain language. 4 simple steps to save tax on your stock market gains.
7 Common Tax Loss Harvesting Mistakes Indian Investors Make
Avoid these 7 costly tax loss harvesting mistakes: harvesting without gains, ignoring FIFO, missing ITR deadline, using LTCL against STCG, and more.
LTCG Tax in India – Rates, Exemption and Rules for FY 2025-26
Complete guide to LTCG tax on shares and equity mutual funds in India for FY 2025-26. Learn the 12.5% rate, Rs 1.25 lakh exemption, FIFO rules, and how to minimize tax legally.
Rs 1.25 Lakh LTCG Exemption – Use It or Lose It Every Year
Learn why the Rs 1.25 lakh LTCG exemption under Section 112A resets every year and how to use gain harvesting to claim it fully before March 31.
LTCG Gain Harvesting – Book Profits Tax-Free Before March 31
Learn the LTCG gain harvesting strategy to book up to Rs 1.25 lakh in tax-free profits every year before March 31. Step-by-step process with examples.
How to Calculate LTCG on Shares in India (FIFO Method)
Step-by-step guide to calculating LTCG on shares in India using the mandatory FIFO method. Includes examples with multiple lots, grandfathering, and cost basis calculations.
Already Used Some LTCG Exemption? How to Maximize the Rest
If you have already booked some LTCG this year, learn how to calculate your remaining Rs 1.25 lakh exemption and harvest gains optimally before March 31.
LTCG Tax After Union Budget 2024 – What Changed for Investors
Complete breakdown of LTCG tax changes from Union Budget 2024. Rate increase from 10% to 12.5%, exemption raised to Rs 1.25 lakh, and impact on equity investors.
LTCG on Equity Mutual Funds – Tax Rules and Exemption
Complete guide to LTCG taxation on equity mutual funds in India. Learn the 12.5% rate, Rs 1.25 lakh exemption, SIP taxation, and how mutual fund LTCG differs from direct stocks.
Cost Basis Reset Through Gain Harvesting – Save Tax for Years
Learn how gain harvesting resets your cost basis to the current market price, permanently reducing future capital gains tax. Includes multi-year compounding examples.
LTCG Exemption for Married Couples: Double Your Tax-Free Limit to Rs 2.5 Lakh
Married couples can claim Rs 2.5 lakh in tax-free LTCG by using both spouses' Rs 1.25L exemption. Learn how to split holdings and maximize the benefit legally.
Grandfathering Clause for LTCG: Does It Still Apply in 2025-26?
The LTCG grandfathering clause protects gains accrued before Feb 1, 2018. Learn the formula, FMV calculation, and how it affects your LTCG tax in FY 2025-26.
LTCG Tax on ETFs in India: Rates, Rules and Tax-Saving Strategies
Complete guide to LTCG tax on ETFs in India. Learn the 12.5% tax rate, Rs 1.25L exemption, equity vs debt ETF treatment, and gain harvesting strategies for ETFs.
Long-Term Capital Loss: Offset Rules, Limits and Carry Forward Guide
Complete guide to long-term capital losses in India. Learn LTCL offset rules (only against LTCG), 8-year carry forward, filing requirements, and planning strategies.
Capital Gains Tax on Stocks in India: Complete Guide for 2025-26
Complete guide to capital gains tax on stocks in India. Learn STCG at 20%, LTCG at 12.5% above Rs 1.25L, holding periods, and how to calculate your tax.
STCG vs LTCG: Key Differences Every Indian Investor Must Know
Compare STCG and LTCG on stocks in India. Learn the differences in tax rates (20% vs 12.5%), holding periods, exemptions, and loss set-off rules.
STCG Tax Rate in India: 20% Under Section 111A Explained
Deep dive into Short-Term Capital Gains tax at 20% under Section 111A. Learn how STCG is calculated on stocks, examples with numbers, and strategies to reduce it.
How to Calculate Capital Gains on Stocks: Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-step guide to calculate capital gains on Indian stocks. Learn FIFO cost basis, holding period rules, exemptions, and compute your exact tax liability.
Capital Gains Set-Off Rules in India: Complete Guide with Examples
Master India's capital gains set-off rules. Learn how STCL offsets STCG and LTCG, why LTCL only offsets LTCG, and see worked examples of loss set-off priority.
Carry Forward Capital Losses: 8-Year Rule, Filing Requirements & Strategy
Learn how to carry forward capital losses in India for up to 8 years. Understand filing deadlines, STCL vs LTCL carry-forward rules, and utilization strategies.
7 Legal Ways to Save Capital Gains Tax on Stocks in India
Discover 7 legal strategies to reduce capital gains tax on stocks in India. Tax-loss harvesting, gain harvesting, timing sales, and more with real examples.
Capital Gains Tax for Salaried Employees: A Practical Guide
How capital gains tax works for salaried employees in India. Which ITR form to use, advance tax rules, how stock gains interact with salary income, and TDS.
Section 111A and 112A Explained: STCG and LTCG Tax on Equities
Technical deep dive into Section 111A (20% STCG) and Section 112A (12.5% LTCG above Rs 1.25L) for listed equities. Conditions, calculations, and applicability.
Intraday Trading Tax in India: Why It Is Not Capital Gains
How intraday trading is taxed in India as speculative business income, not capital gains. Learn different ITR forms, set-off rules, and tax rates for day traders.
How to Report Capital Gains in ITR: Schedule CG Step-by-Step
Step-by-step guide to reporting capital gains in your Income Tax Return. Which ITR form, how to fill Schedule CG for STCG and LTCG, claim set-off, and carry forward.
Capital Gains on Bonus Shares and Stock Splits: Tax Treatment Explained
How bonus shares and stock splits are taxed in India. Bonus share cost basis is Rs 0, stock split adjusts cost proportionally. Worked examples with calculations.
FIFO Method for Capital Gains in India: The Complete Guide to First In, First Out
Learn how India's mandatory FIFO method determines your capital gains tax. Understand holding periods, cost basis, and how FIFO affects your stock taxes.
Average Price vs FIFO Cost Basis: Why Your Broker's Number Is Wrong for Taxes
Your broker shows average price but taxes use FIFO. Learn the difference with examples showing how average cost misleads on capital gains calculations.
FIFO Sell-Through Explained: Why Selling ST Shares Forces LT Sales First
Understand the FIFO sell-through effect in India. When you sell short-term shares, FIFO forces long-term shares to be sold first. Learn the tax implications.
How to Calculate Cost Basis with Multiple Buys: FIFO Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-step guide to calculating cost basis when you bought the same stock multiple times. FIFO examples with 3+ lots and partial sales explained.
When Tax-Loss Harvesting Backfires: FIFO Sell-Through Unprofitable Scenarios
Learn when tax-loss harvesting becomes unprofitable due to FIFO sell-through. Real examples where forced LTCG far exceeds the STCL benefit.
Partial Tax-Loss Harvesting: Finding the Minimum Amount to Sell with FIFO
You don't need to harvest all your loss. Learn how TaxHarvestLab uses binary search to find the minimum shares to sell while respecting FIFO sell-through.
Cost Basis After Stock Split, Bonus Issue & Corporate Actions: FIFO Guide
How stock splits, bonus issues, buybacks, and rights issues change your cost basis and FIFO lot structure. Complete guide for Indian investors.
Broker P&L vs True Tax Liability: Why Zerodha/Groww Reports Fall Short
Why your Zerodha or Groww P&L report may not reflect your actual tax liability. Learn the gaps in broker reports and how TaxHarvestLab bridges them.
Year-End Tax Planning Checklist for Equity Investors: Complete March Guide
Complete year-end tax planning checklist for Indian equity investors. Review STCG, LTCG, harvest losses, use exemptions, and file before March 31.
Tax Planning for Zerodha Users: Complete Guide to Console Reports and Optimization
Step-by-step tax planning guide for Zerodha users. Download Console reports, understand Tax P&L, use TaxHarvestLab for optimization. Zerodha-specific tips.
Tax Planning for Groww Users: Download Reports and Optimize Capital Gains
Complete tax planning guide for Groww users. Download capital gains reports, understand P&L statements, and use TaxHarvestLab to optimize your stock taxes.
7 Critical Tax Planning Mistakes Equity Investors Make in March
Avoid these 7 critical tax planning mistakes before March 31. From missing FIFO cost basis to losing carry-forward losses, learn what not to do.
Working with Your CA for Stock Tax Planning: What to Share and What to Ask
How to work effectively with your Chartered Accountant for capital gains tax planning. What data to share, questions to ask, and when you need a CA vs DIY.
Tax-Efficient Portfolio Rebalancing: How to Rebalance Without Overpaying Taxes
Learn how to rebalance your stock portfolio with tax efficiency. Time rebalancing around FY end, use losses to offset gains, and stay within LTCG exemption.
Tax on SIP Redemption: How Each Installment Has Its Own Holding Period
Understand how SIP redemptions are taxed in India. Each SIP installment has its own holding period and cost basis. FIFO applies, creating mixed LT and ST gains.
Is Your Portfolio Already Tax-Optimized? A Complete Checklist
How to check if your stock portfolio is already tax-optimized. Checklist covering loss harvesting, LTCG exemption usage, carry-forward losses, and STCG offsets.
Case Study: How Booking Rs 80K in Short-Term Losses Saved Rs 16,000 in Tax
Real case study showing how booking Rs 80,000 in short-term capital losses against Rs 1 lakh STCG saved Rs 16,000 in taxes. Step-by-step calculation inside.
Case Study: Using the Rs 1.25 Lakh LTCG Exemption Without Overshooting
Learn how booking exactly Rs 1.25L in LTCG saves Rs 21,875 vs booking all Rs 3L. Step-by-step case study on using the LTCG exemption optimally.
Case Study: How Cross-Term Offsetting Brought LTCG Tax to Zero
Case study showing how Rs 1 lakh STCL offset Rs 2 lakh LTCG, bringing taxable gains to zero using cross-term set-off rules. Save Rs 9,375 in taxes.
Case Study: Optimizing a Mixed Portfolio with Both LTCG and STCG
Case study on harvesting Rs 30K LTCL and Rs 40K STCL in a mixed portfolio with Rs 1.8L LTCG and Rs 60K STCG. Tax reduced from Rs 18,875 to Rs 7,125.
Case Study: How Carry-Forward Losses Expanded the Tax-Free Booking Window to Rs 2 Lakh
Case study showing how Rs 75K carry-forward LTCL expanded the effective tax-free LTCG booking window from Rs 1.25L to Rs 2L. Zero tax on Rs 2L gains.
Case Study: When the Best Tax Harvesting Move Is to Do Nothing
Two real scenarios where tax harvesting would hurt, not help. Learn when booking gains or losses creates unnecessary tax liability or wastes carry-forward.
Case Study: Even a Small Rs 10K LTCL Saves Rs 1,250 When LTCG Is High
Case study proving even a small Rs 10,000 LTCL saves Rs 1,250 when you have Rs 3 lakh in LTCG. Every rupee of loss counts above the exemption limit.
Case Study: Why Pure Short-Term Losses Should Be Harvested Before Mixed Lots
Case study on why pure short-term loss positions should be harvested before mixed long-term and short-term lots. Avoid FIFO sell-through complications.
Done reading? See what your portfolio can save.
Upload your Zerodha or Groww reports and get personalized tax-saving recommendations in under 2 minutes.
Analyze My Portfolio Free