Should I pay less tax on my Mira Road flat sale?

Ans: Capital gain on sale consideration will be reduced by Indexed cost of acquisition and allowable expenses incurred on transfer. You have to calculate indexed cost of acquisition by applying Cost Inflation Index as per prescribed formula on cost of acquisition.

For cost of acquisition, you may take actual cost or fair market value of the asset, as on 01.04.2001.

In case of land and building, fair market value on 01.04.2001 cannot exceed stamp duty value as on 01.04.2001.

Exemption is available if amount of capital gain is invested by purchasing a new residential house within one year before or within 2 years after the date of transfer of the residential house.

As you have already got possession of new property in November 2020, you will not be eligible for exemption.

Decision of investment in specified bonds or acquiring tax mutual funds can be taken after considering several factors like risk appetite, amount of tax liability on capital gain, availability of surplus fund etc.

Ans: To claim tax exemption from capital gain earned during the year from transfer of residential property, you have to invest gain amount in new house property within 3 years (if you are planning to construct new property) OR within a period of one year before or two years after the date of transfer of old house, you should acquire another residential house.

Ans: Based on the information you've provided, you'll likely incur Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax if you sell your flat in Hyderabad. Here's a breakdown:

Scenario:

Flat purchased in 2014 for Rs. 24,00,000
Expected sale value in 2024: Rs. 65,00,000
Holding period: Over 24 months (Long-Term Capital Gains)
No reinvestment in another residential property
Tax Calculation:

Capital Gain: Rs. 65,00,000 (Sale value) - Rs. 24,00,000 (Purchase value) = Rs. 41,00,000
Indexation benefit: However, you'll likely benefit from indexation, which adjusts the purchase price for inflation, reducing your taxable gains. You can calculate the indexed cost using the Cost Inflation Index (CII) provided by the Income Tax Department for the relevant years.

LTCG Tax Rate: After considering indexation, the remaining capital gain will be taxed at 20%.

Important Note: I cannot provide the exact tax amount due to the complexity of indexation calculations.

Exemption Not Applicable:

Unfortunately, purchasing agricultural land doesn't qualify for exemption under Section 54 of the Income Tax Act, which offers exemption on LTCG from the sale of residential property if the gains are reinvested in a new residential property.

Recommendations:

Consult a Chartered Accountant (CA): A CA can help you calculate the exact LTCG tax liability after considering indexation and other relevant factors. They can also advise on any potential tax-saving strategies that might be applicable in your case.
Explore LTCG Investment Options: While you're not interested in buying another house, consider exploring other options to potentially save on LTCG tax. These include:
Capital Gains Bonds: Investing in specific long-term capital gains bonds issued by the National Housing Bank (NHB) or other government bodies can help you save tax under Section 54EC.
New Residential Property: If you're open to the idea of a new property in the future, remember the exemption under Section 54 applies.
Remember: This is just general information, and it's crucial to consult a professional for personalized tax advice based on your specific situation