STCG on Equity (15% / 20%)

Short-term capital gains on equity — shares or equity MFs held ≤12 months — are taxed at a flat 15% under Section 111A (irrespective of your income slab). Surcharge + 4% cess apply. Budget 2024 raised this to 20% from 23 July 2024 for transfers on or after that date.

Worked INR example

You buy Reliance shares for ₹2,40,000 on 15 Apr 2024 and sell for ₹3,00,000 on 10 Jan 2025 (holding period <12 months). STCG = ₹60,000. Tax = ₹60,000 × 20% = ₹12,000 + 4% cess = ₹12,480. No basic-exemption-slab benefit because Sec 111A is a flat rate. (Old 15% rate would have been ₹9,000 + cess = ₹9,360.)

When to use

• Computing tax on swing trades / F&O equity delivery exits within 12 months
• Deciding whether to hold for 1 more month to convert to LTCG (10% vs 20%)
• Setting off short-term losses against short-term gains (saves at 20%)

SEBI / tax caveat

Sec 111A applies only if STT is paid on sale. Intraday equity is "speculative business income" taxed at slab rate — not Sec 111A. Debt MFs held <36 months (now: all debt MFs post-Apr 2023) are taxed at slab rate, not flat 15/20%. Verify FY-specific rate.

Related terms: STCG, LTCG Exemption, STT.