Mr. Anil I purchased a House Plot 60X40 ft during 2001. Now I am trying to sell the plot. Pl. clarify whether I will not get any Indexation Benefit on Acquisition Cost / Buy Cost as per this new Budget. I am Retired Pvt Employee and this Plot is with me for last 23 Yrs. Pl. advise how to reduce LTCG Tax burden. K. Ravindranath , Hyderabad

Ans: For calculating tax on long term capital gain on house property, indexed cost of acquisition is required be reduced from sale considered.

Indexed cost of acquisition can be calculated with the help of income tax calculator available at https://incometaxindia.gov.in/Pages/tools/indexed-cost-of-acquisition-or-improvement.aspx.

Property is booked in 2004 but payment would have done gradually till 2014. Thus, indexation benefit is available on each of the payment from each of date of payment.

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

Ans: No, In the Budget Proposal Indexation benefit is removed for property transferred from 23rd July 2024. However, cost of acquition for calculation of capital gain can be FMV as on 1.4.2001 or stamp duty value as on 1.4.2001 (whichever is lower)

Ans: Under the proposed changes in the budget, you may opt any of the options (in case of Long Term Capital Gains), as under :
(01). Tax Rate 12.50% without indexation OR
(02). Tax Rate of 20% in case of Indexation.
You may calculate your tax liability under both options & may opt for the tax regime, where tax liability is minimum.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.