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Section 112 of Income Tax Act: How to Calculate Income Tax on Long-Term Capital Gains

By Ektha Surana

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Updated on: Aug 13th, 2024

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5 min read

Capital gains are taxed according to the tenure of holding investments. Investment gains are broadly classified into long-term capital gains and short-term capital gains. The taxation of long-term capital gains is divided under two provisions, Section 112 and Section 112A of the Income Tax Act.

Budget 2024 Update

Budget 2024 has proposed the following amendments effective from FY 2024-25 -

  • There will only be two holding periods for classifying assets into long-term and short-term: 12 months and 24 months. The 36-month holding period has been removed.
  • The holding period for all listed securities is 12 months. All listed securities with a holding period exceeding 12 months are considered Long-Term. The holding period for all other assets is 24 months.
  • The taxation of Short-Term Capital Gain for listed equity shares, a unit of an equity-oriented fund, and a unit of a business trust has been increased to 20% from 15%. Other financial and non-financial assets which are held for short term shall continue to attract the tax at slab rates.

In this article, we will learn the tax rates applicable to transferring all long-term capital assets (except capital assets covered under Section 112A).

Section 112 Applicability

Section 112 applies to all types of taxpayers, such as individuals, HUFs, companies, firms, residents, non-residents (not companies), and foreign companies. 

What Types of Long-term Assets are Covered Under Section 112?

Section 112 specifies income tax rates on all kinds of long-term capital assets, such as-

  • Listed securities 
  • Zero-coupon bonds 
  • Unlisted securities 
  • Immovable property 
  • Other long-term capital assets

This section does not apply to the capital assets covered under Section 112A below-

  • Listed equity shares where STT paid on acquisition and transfer 
  • Units of equity-oriented mutual funds where STT paid on transfer 
  • Units of business trust where STT paid on transfer

How to Classify Various Capital Assets into Long-term and Short-term?

See the table below to understand how capital assets are classified:

Type of capital assetLong-termShort-term
Equity mutual funds 12 months and moreLess than 12 months
Zero-coupon bonds12 months and moreLess than 12 months
Equity shares (listed)12 months and moreLess than 12 months
Equity shares (unlisted)24 months and moreLess than 24 months
Immovable property 24 months and moreLess than 24 months
Any other asset36 months and moreLess than 36 months

It is to be noted that with effect from FY 2024-25, There will only be two holding periods for classifying assets into long-term and short-term: 12 months and 24 months. The 36-month holding period has been removed. The holding period for all listed securities is 12 months. All listed securities with a holding period exceeding 12 months are considered Long-Term. The holding period for all other assets is 24 months.

What is the Tax Rate on Long-term Capital Gain Covered Under Section 112?

  1. If there is LTCG on listed securities (other than units) where STT is not paid at the time of acquisition and transfer 
    • Tax rate is lower of:
    •  10% (without indexation)
    •  20% (with indexation)
  2. If there is LTCG on zero-coupon bonds 
    • Tax rate is lower of:
    • 10% without indexation
    • 20% with indexation
  3. In the case of a non-resident (other than a company) or a foreign company, if there is LTCG from unlisted securities or shares
    • Tax rate is 10% on LTCG without computation of capital gain in foreign currency and indexation. i.e. Tax = 10% x (Sale price – Cost of Acquisition)
  4. For any other long-term capital asset such as immovable property sold by a resident – Tax rate is 20% (with indexation)

There taxation rates for various types of long-term capital gains are as follows:

Taxation Rates:

Long-term Asset

Residential Status

Tax rates

Debt-oriented mutual funds

R and NR

Slab rates

(Long-term and short-term taxability as same)

Listed equity shares and equity-oriented mutual funds (Sec 112A)

R and NR

10% without indexation on gains in excess of  Rs. 1 lakh

Listed Securities (other than equity shares and equity-oriented mutual funds) such as listed bonds, gold bonds etc.,

R and NR

10% without indexation

Zero-coupon bonds

R and NR

Tax rate is lower of

  • 10% (without indexation) or
  • 20% (with indexation)

Unlisted securities or shares

NR

10% without computation of capital gain in foreign currency and without indexation 

Any other assets such as Immovable Property, shares listed in foreign exchanges, gold/jewellery etc.,

R and NR

20% with indexation

The amendment to Finance Bill 2023 scrapped the indexation benefit for gains from debt mutual funds, and they will be taxed at the investor’s slab rates. Thus, from 1 April 2023, gains from debt mutual funds with up to 35% of the equity exposure will be taxed at the investor’s slab rates and considered short-term capital gains.

How to Calculate the Tax Liability if Total Income Includes Long-term Capital Gain?

If the total income of the taxpayer includes income from the transfer of long-term capital assets, then the income tax liability will be calculated as below-

  1. Reduce the total taxable income by the amount of long-term capital gains (LTCG) and calculate tax on the income so reduced as per the normal applicable tax rates applicable to you.
  2. Separately calculate tax on the long-term capital gains at rates specified above.
  3. Add both the amounts to know the total tax liability.

Points to Remember

  1. In the case of individuals and HUFs, if the normal income, i.e. income excluding the long-term capital gain, is less than the basic exemption limit, then set off the unadjusted amount with the long-term capital gains and calculate tax on LTCG at specified rates (see example 2 below).
  2. The benefit of the basic exemption limit mentioned above does not apply to non-residents. 
  3. Chapter VI-A deduction will not apply to long-term capital gains (see example 3 below).

Illustrations

1.Suppose an individual (below 60 years of age) has a total income of Rs 8 lakh in which long-term capital gain on sale of immovable property of Rs 1 lakh is included. So the tax payable by the individual can be calculated as below-

  • Income excluding LTCG- Rs 7 lakh (Rs 8 lakh – Rs 1 lakh)
  • Tax payable on Rs 7 lakh as per old tax slab rates- Rs 52,500
  • 20% tax on LTCG- Rs 20,000 (20% on Rs 1 lakh)
  • Total tax payable- Rs 72,500 (excluding cess)

2. Suppose an individual (below 60 years of age) has a total income of Rs 3.5 lakh in which long-term capital gain (mutual funds units) of Rs 3 lakh is included. Here, the normal income (Rs 3.5 lakh – Rs 3 lakh= Rs 50,000) is less than the basic exemption limit (Rs 2.5 lakh). So the tax payable by the individual can be calculated as below-

  • Income excluding LTCG – Rs 50,000 (Rs 3.5 lakh – Rs 3 lakh)
  • LTCG – Rs 3 lakh
  • Tax payable on Rs 50,000 – Nil
  • Basic exemption limit – Rs 2.5 lakh
  • Unadjusted amount (d-a) – Rs 2 lakh (Rs 2.5 lakh – Rs 50,000)
  • LTCG after adjusting 
    basic exemption limit(b-e)- Rs 1 lakh (Rs 3 lakh – Rs 2 lakh)
  • 20% tax on adjusted LTCG (20% x f)- Rs 20,000 (20% on Rs 1 lakh)
  • Total tax payable (c + g)- Rs 20,000 (excluding cess)

3. Suppose an individual (below 60 years of age) has a gross total income of Rs 4 lakh in which long term capital gain (mutual funds units) of Rs 3 lakh is included. Chapter VI-A deduction is Rs 1.5 lakh.

Here, the gross total income excluding LTCG is Rs 1 lakh (Rs. 4 lakh – Rs 3 lakh). You can adjust the Chapter VI-A deduction from normal income only, not LTCG. Hence. Your normal income will be Nil after claiming Chapter VI-A deductions. Hence, the total income tax liability will be calculated as under.

  • Income after deductions- Nil
  • LTCG – Rs 3 lakh
  • Tax payable normal income – Nil
  • Basic exemption limit – Rs 2.5 lakh
  • Unadjusted amount (d-a) – Rs 2.5 lakh (Rs 2.5 lakh – 0)
  • LTCG after adjusting 
    basic exemption limit (b-e)- Rs 50,000(Rs 3 lakh – Rs 2.5 lakh)
  • 20% tax on adjusted LTCG (20% x f) Rs 10,000 (20% on Rs 50,000)
  • Total tax payable (c + g) Rs 10,000 (excluding cess)

Reporting of LTCG in ITR form

Taxpayers must report income from capital gains in ITR-2 and ITR-3 forms. They must report the below details for reporting LTCG under Schedule CG of the ITR:

  • The full consideration value, i.e. sale value
  • Deductions under Section 48
  • Indexed cost of acquisition, i.e. purchase value
  • Indexed cost of improvement, if applicable
  • Expenditure exclusively and wholly in connection with transfer, i.e. transfer expenses

The LTCG will be automatically computed.

Set Off and Carry Forward of Long Term Capital Loss (LTCG) Under Section 112

The loss on sale of a  long-term capital asset is a Long Term Capital Loss (LTCL) as per Section 112. A taxpayer can set off the LTCL from one capital asset against the LTCG from another capital asset. As per the income tax rules for set off and carry forward of losses, a taxpayer can set off the LTCL against the LTCG only. However, a taxpayer can carry forward the remaining loss for 8 years and set off only against future LTCG.

Section 112 v/s 112A v/s 111A

Section 112 of the Income Tax Act applies to all long-term capital assets. Different tax rates are defined for long-term capital gains on these assets except those covered under Section 112A.

Section 112A of the Income Tax Act is the overriding section of Section 112. Thus, it applies to long-term capital gains on the sale of specified long-term capital assets, i.e., equity shares, equity mutual funds, and units of business trust on which STT is paid and is listed on a recognised stock exchange in India.

Section 111A of the Income Tax Act applies to short-term capital gains on the sale of equity shares, equity mutual funds, and units of business trust on which STT is paid and is listed on a recognised stock exchange in India.

Related articles
Capital Gains Tax

LTCG Calculator
Long-term capital gains

Short-term capital gain

Tax on Long-term Capital Gains on Equity Funds

Short Term Capital Gain on Shares

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save capital gain tax on the sale of a long term capital asset?

One can save capital gains tax on the sale of a long-term capital asset under Section 112 by claiming exemption from Section 54 or Section 54GB, depending on the nature of the capital asset. Further, you can save tax by setting off LTCL on the sale of any other capital asset against such income.

What will be the tax liability in case of the sale of Jewellery?

If you sell the jewelry after holding it for more than 36 months then it will be taxable at 20% along with the indexation benefit.

What is CGAS, and is it applicable to LTCG on mutual funds?

CGAS, or capital gain account scheme, allows individuals to park their capital gains in this account to be eligible for the capital gains tax exemption in case they don’t immediately invest the amount to buy a property.

About the Author

Multitasking between pouring myself coffees and poring over the ever-changing tax laws. Here, I've authored 100+ blogs on income tax and simplified complex income tax topics like the intimidating crypto tax rules, old vs new tax regime debate, changes in debt funds taxation, budget analysis and more. Some combinations I like- tax and content, finance & startups, technology & psychology, fitness & neuroscience. Read more

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Quick Summary

Long-term and short-term capital gains are taxed differently, with various assets categorized under Section 112 or 112A. Recent budget changes impact the holding periods for classification. Applicable tax rates for long-term assets and calculation methods are specified. Tax liability is determined by combining regular income tax with long-term capital gains tax. Losses can be set off against gains with certain restrictions. Differentiate between Sections 112, 112A, and 111A.

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