Tax Guide · Budget 2024

Mutual Fund Taxation

Capital gains tax rules on mutual fund investments in India — effective July 23, 2024.

Important

Mutual fund investments in India are subject to capital gains tax. The tax rate and holding period requirements depend on the type of mutual fund scheme. This guide covers the latest tax rules effective from July 23, 2024.

What are Capital Gains?

Capital Gain

The profit you make when you sell (redeem) your mutual fund units at a price higher than what you paid for them. For example, if you bought units at ₹100 and sold them at ₹150, your capital gain is ₹50 per unit.

Capital Loss

If you sell your units at a price lower than what you paid, you incur a capital loss. These losses can be set off against capital gains to reduce your overall tax liability.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Capital Gains

Capital gains are classified based on how long you held the investment:

STCGShort-Term Capital Gains: Profits from units held for less than the specified holding period

LTCGLong-Term Capital Gains: Profits from units held for more than the specified holding period

Equity Mutual Funds

Funds that invest 65% or more of their assets in domestic equity shares.

Short-Term Capital Gains

Holding period

≤ 12 months

Tax rate

20%

Plus applicable cess

Long-Term Capital Gains

Holding period

> 12 months

Tax rate

12.5%

Plus applicable cess

₹1.25 lakh LTCG per financial year is tax-free

Debt Mutual Funds

Funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities with less than 35% exposure to equity.

Important Change · April 1, 2023

For debt mutual fund units purchased on or after April 1, 2023, all gains are taxed as Short-Term Capital Gains at your applicable income tax slab rate, regardless of the holding period. The indexation benefit and LTCG classification are no longer available.

Purchased on/after Apr 1, 2023

All gains taxed at Income Tax Slab Rate

10%, 15%, 20%, or 30% based on total income

Purchased before Apr 1, 2023

STCG (≤ 24 months): At income tax slab rate

LTCG (> 24 months): 12.5% (without indexation)

Hybrid Mutual Funds

Taxation depends on the equity allocation of the fund.

Equity-Oriented Hybrid Funds (≥ 65% equity)

Taxed same as Equity Mutual Funds.

→STCG (≤ 12 months): 20%

→LTCG (> 12 months): 12.5% — ₹1.25L exemption applies

Debt-Oriented Hybrid Funds (< 65% equity)

Includes balanced hybrid funds, conservative hybrid funds, etc.

→Equity 35–65%: STCG at slab rate; LTCG (> 24m) at 12.5%

→Equity < 35%: Treated as debt funds (see above)

Fund of Funds (FoF)

Domestic Fund of Funds

These invest in other domestic mutual fund schemes. Taxation depends on the underlying fund types:

→If underlying funds are equity-oriented: Treated as equity funds for taxation

→If underlying funds are debt-oriented: Treated as debt funds for taxation

Overseas / International Fund of Funds

FoFs that invest in foreign indices or international funds.

→All gains taxed at your income tax slab rate — no differentiation between short-term and long-term

Quick Reference Table

Fund Type	Holding Period	STCG Tax	LTCG Tax
Equity Funds	12 months	20%	12.5% (₹1.25L exempt)
Debt Funds (≥ Apr 1, 2023)	N/A	At slab rate (all gains)
Debt Funds (< Apr 1, 2023)	24 months	At slab rate	12.5%
Equity Hybrid (≥ 65% equity)	12 months	20%	12.5% (₹1.25L exempt)
Debt Hybrid (< 35% equity)	—	Same as debt funds
Overseas FoF	—	At slab rate (all gains)

Important Notes

—These tax rates are applicable from July 23, 2024 as per Budget 2024.

—Surcharge and cess will be added to the above rates based on your total income.

—Capital losses can be set off against capital gains to reduce tax liability.

—Tax laws are subject to change. Please consult a tax advisor for personalised advice.

—For NRI investors, different rules and TDS provisions apply. See NRI Taxation →