Key Takeaways 

• You can avoid tax on gains up to ₹1,25,000 per year when selling listed equity, which helps reduce the long term capital gain tax on shares.
   
• Long-term gains on property and other assets face a 12.5% flat tax rate from 23 July 2024, which impacts the long term capital gain tax on property calculation.
   
• The law under Section 112A of Income Tax Act governs tax on long-term gains beyond the exemption threshold for shares.
   

“When I sold my first long-term investment, profit toh hua, but tax ki tension usse bhi zyada thi. That moment made me understand that knowing the basics of LTCG tax can actually reduce a lot of stress.”

In India, when you sell a long-held asset such as shares or property and make a profit, that profit is called Long-Term Capital Gain (LTCG). This applies to cases like the long term capital gain tax on shares after 12 months of holding or the long term capital gain tax on property after 24 months of holding.

I bought shares worth ₹2,00,000 and sold them after 18 months for ₹3,50,000. My gain is ₹1,50,000. Under the current rule, the first ₹1,25,000 is tax-free, and only ₹25,000 is taxed at 12.5%.

This structure also guides how LTCG tax exemption, property investment, and LTCG tax exemption on property benefits are calculated.

Eligibility Criteria for LTCG Tax Exemption

I always check these official rules before claiming any long-term capital gain exemption or benefit. The Income Tax Act and CBDT notifications define the exact conditions for LTCG eligibility.
 

These rules help me verify whether my gain is eligible for LTCG benefits before I proceed with ITR filing.

Deduction Limits & Rates Under LTCG

The Income Tax Department and the Finance Act provide these limits and tax rates.
 

I always compare the old and new rules because older property purchases often benefit from indexation.

Bonus Tip: The government clarified through official Finance Act updates that taxpayers may still benefit from indexation under older rules for assets purchased in earlier years, and they can choose whichever option results in lower tax.

What Documents Do I Need to Claim LTCG Tax Exemption?

I keep the following documents ready because they are needed to support my ITR information.
 

I store physical and digital copies for future verification.

How to Claim LTCG Deduction in ITR? (Step-by-Step Table)

These steps follow the Income Tax Department’s ITR instruction documents.
 

When I follow these steps carefully, my ITR filing becomes smooth and compliant.

Conclusion

We understood how long-term capital gain tax on shares and long-term capital gain tax on property work under Indian tax law, especially under Section 112A of Income Tax Act after recent changes. The ₹1.25 lakh exemption on shares and the uniform 12.5% rate on most LTCG make planning simpler. Always check documents, file ITR carefully, and consider which tax scheme works better for you. 

FAQs on LTCG Tax Exemption

Are long-term capital gains up to ₹1 lakh tax-exempt?
 

Yes. Under Section 112A of the Income Tax Act, long-term capital gains on listed equity shares, equity-oriented mutual funds, and business trust units are tax-exempt up to ₹1 lakh in a financial year. Tax applies only to gains above this limit.

What is the long-term capital gain tax exemption on mutual fund investments?
 

Long-term gains (holding period more than 12 months) enjoy a ₹1 lakh annual exemption under Section 112A for equity-oriented mutual funds. Gains above ₹1 lakh are taxed at 10% (for earlier years) or 12.5% for transfers made on or after 23 July 2024, as per recent Finance Act changes.

Can long-term capital losses be adjusted against long-term capital gains?

Yes. Long-term capital losses can be set off only against long-term capital gains, as permitted under the Income Tax Act. If the loss is not fully adjusted in the same year, it can be carried forward for up to 8 assessment years and used against future long-term gains.

Is the ₹1,25,000 LTCG exemption available even if my salary is very high?

Yes. The ₹1,25,000 exemption under Section 112A applies independently of your salary income. So even if you earn more than a ₹20,00,000 salary, your first ₹1,25,000 of eligible equity LTCG remains tax-exempt. Only gains above this limit are taxed.

How can I avoid LTCG tax until I buy an apartment under Section 54F?

You can keep the exemption only if you use the money to buy/construct the property within the allowed time or deposit the unused amount into a Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS) before the ITR due date. CGAS withdrawals are permitted for housing use and are simple but regulated.