I have recently inherited my father shares after his death. In case I sell them what would their tax treatment.. ie will I have to pay tax on full sale value or can I deduct the purchase cost of these shares which my father had paid??

Ans: As per Indian Income Tax laws, when you inherit shares from your father, the cost of acquisition of such shares will be deemed to be the cost at which your father had acquired these shares. This cost is commonly known as the 'cost of acquisition' or 'purchase price'.

So, to answer your first question, you can use the price at which your father had purchased the shares as your purchase price.

Regarding your second question, the period of holding of the shares will be counted from the date of acquisition by your father. Hence, if the shares were purchased by your father 15-20 years back, and you sell them after holding them for more than 1 year from the date of inheritance, you would be eligible for long-term capital gains tax benefits.

Regarding your third question, if the purchase value of shares is not known, then the cost of acquisition for the purpose of computing capital gains will be the fair market value (FMV) of the shares as on 31st January 2018, which was the date of introduction of the tax on long-term capital gains on equity shares. This FMV will be considered as the cost of acquisition for the purpose of calculating capital gains.

It is important to note that if you sell shares within one year of acquisition, you would be liable to pay short-term capital gains tax on the profits made, whereas if you sell shares after one year of acquisition, you would be liable to pay long-term capital gains tax on the profits made. The tax rate for long-term capital gains tax on equity shares is currently 10% (if the gains exceed Rs. 1 lakh in a financial year) without indexation benefit or 20% with indexation benefit.

Ans: Transfer of shares by father to its son under gift deed will not be considered as income and accordingly not taxable. When son transfer shares, cost and period of holding of father will be considered for calculating Income from capital gain.

Ans: 01. There is no issue of inheritance involved in this case, as far as income tax is concerned.
02. If you sell shares, it would be subject to LTCG Tax under Income Tax.
03. Please note that only Gain would be taxed & not gross receipts from sale of shares.
04. There would be a tax exemption of up to Rs.1,25,000.00 per year on LTCG. Beyond this amount, it shall be taxed @12.50%.
05. If LTCG amount is more, then you may plan for certain other exemptions available under the income tax (u/s54F).
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.