regulation · intermediate
STCG on equity
Short-term capital gains on listed equity apply when shares are sold before completing the long-term holding period.
Classify using the holding-period test against LTCG on equity under the Income-tax Act for the assessment year.
Listed equity STCG where STT conditions are met is taxed at a special rate under the Act for the relevant year, not automatically at slab rates — check the current Finance Act.
Frequent trading can raise business-income characterisation depending on facts and assessment.
Clear buy and sell dates are essential for STCG versus LTCG classification.
Part of the Market Pulse Term of the Day series — factual market vocabulary, not investment advice.