Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Ramalingam Kalirajan |8182 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 06, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 29, 2024Hindi

Listen

i sold my property for 20 lacs, is it taxable for this year(2024- 2025), since i am a NRI, how much amount I have to pay as capital gain?. How to avoid this capital gain tax, Since i am planning to purchase a new property this year(2024) or 2025 using this money(gained from the property sold recently). Please advice

Ans: As an NRI, any capital gains arising from the sale of property in India are subject to taxation under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Here's how the taxation works and some strategies to minimize your tax liability:

Tax on Capital Gains: The capital gains tax is calculated based on the profit earned from the sale of the property. The gain is classified as either short-term capital gains (STCG) or long-term capital gains (LTCG), depending on the holding period of the property.
STCG: If the property is held for less than 24 months (two years), the gains are treated as short-term capital gains and taxed at your applicable slab rate.
LTCG: If the property is held for 24 months or more, the gains are treated as long-term capital gains. For NRIs, LTCG on the sale of property is taxed at a flat rate of 20%, with indexation benefits available.
Indexation Benefit: Indexation allows you to adjust the purchase price of the property for inflation, thereby reducing the taxable capital gains. This helps in minimizing the tax liability on long-term capital gains.
Exemptions and Deductions: Under Section 54 of the Income Tax Act, you can claim an exemption from LTCG tax if you invest the proceeds from the sale of the property in another residential property within a specified period. The exemption is available if the new property is purchased within one year before or two years after the sale, or within three years for under-construction properties. The entire amount of LTCG or the cost of the new property, whichever is lower, is eligible for exemption.
Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS): If you are unable to reinvest the proceeds from the sale immediately, you can deposit the gains into a Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS) with a designated bank. The amount deposited in the CGAS must be utilized for purchasing a new property within the specified time frame to claim the exemption.
Tax Consultation: Since tax laws can be complex and subject to change, it's advisable to consult with a tax advisor or chartered accountant specializing in NRI taxation. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation and help you navigate the tax implications effectively.
By planning your property transactions strategically and leveraging available tax-saving provisions, you can minimize your capital gains tax liability and maximize your returns from the sale of property.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.