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How Gains From Foreign Stock Markets Are Taxed In India

Updated on: 30 Nov, 2024 12:33 PM

Understanding how your investments are taxed is critical when investing in the stock market. Before investing in international stocks from India, here’s everything you need to know.

In general, gains derived from the sale of foreign stocks would be taxed as capital gains in the hands of the Indian investor. Tax on foreign stocks is treated the same as foreign investment tax on unlisted equity shares in India.

Gains from Foreign Stock Shares

Tax on Gains from Sale of Foreign Shares:

The foreign investment tax on foreign stocks is determined by the holding period of such shares. If the investor has held shares for more than 24 months, then long-term capital gain (LTCG) will apply. If not, short-term capital gain (STCG) will be applicable.

  • The long-term capital gains tax on foreign shares are subject to a 20% tax rate, plus a surcharge, a health and education cess, and an indexation benefit on the cost.
  • Short-term capital gains from the sale of such stocks will be considered as a part of current income and will be taxed as per the slab rate applicable to the investor.

Tax on Global Mutual Funds

If a person invests in global funds that have exposure to foreign stocks, the gains on redemption of such foreign stocks are proportional to the extent of the fund’s exposure to foreign stocks.

If the percentage of Indian equity stock is greater than 65 percent, the gains will be taxed similarly to equity-oriented funds. Short-term capital gains tax on foreign shares held for less than a year will be taxed at 15%. On these gains, the applicable cess will be levied. On the contrary, if the holding period is more than 12 months (1 year), then it will be taxed at 10% on gains above Rs.1 lakh per year.

Global funds with less than 65% exposure to Indian equity will be classified as non-equity funds and taxed accordingly. Holding these foreign mutual funds in India for less than three years will result in short-term gains that will be taxed at the normal slab rate. On the other hand, holding the mutual funds for more than three years will be considered long-term capital gain, and the LTCG on foreign shares will be taxed at 20% with the indexation benefit.

Tax on Dividends Earned from Foreign Shares

If the investor has received a dividend on such holdings, then it shall be taxed at a flat rate of 25%.

The Indian government has signed the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with over 95 counties, which aids in the claim of tax credits in the event of double taxation. DTAA typically provides relief through two methods: (i) exemption and (ii) tax credit. The exemption method taxes income in one country while exempting it in another.

If the investor has paid taxes in the foreign country for these shares, they can obtain relief on tax credits as per DTAA between India and the concerned country. In case if DTAA is not signed, the investor may obtain a unilateral relief under Section 91 of the IT Act.

Please note that it is essential to furnish Form No 67 as per IT rules on the date of filing the tax return or before filing it.

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Foreign Income to Compliance

DTAA (Double Tax Avoidance Agreement)

The Indian Government has established Double Tax Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) with over 95 countries, providing a mechanism to claim tax credits in cases of double taxation. In many of these agreements, there are provisions for concessional tax deductions on dividend income at the source.

DTAA typically offers relief through two methods:

  • Exemption Method: This method involves taxing the income in one country while exempting it in the other. It aims to prevent the same income from being taxed in both countries.
  • Tax Credit Method: The tax credit method allows the taxpayer to claim a credit for the tax paid in one country against the tax liability arising in another country. This ensures that the taxpayer does not face double taxation on the same income.

Therefore, it is advisable for investors to review India's double tax avoidance agreement with the respective country to gain clarity on the tax implications of income from foreign stocks. Understanding the specific provisions of the agreement can help investors navigate potential tax challenges and optimize their tax liability.


How To Declare Gains From Foreign Shares In ITR

The taxpayers should file ITR Form 2 to report such gains under two heads:

  • All gains from the sale of stocks must be reported in the capital gains schedule (Schedule CG)
  • All gains from dividends shall be reported in Schedule OS
  • All assets should be reported in the foreign asset schedule (Schedule FA) if the investor has held the shares on or after 31st March of that particular year.

If you invest in foreign stocks, keep in mind that you will have to pay taxes, as your actual returns will be the return from the stock minus taxes. Furthermore, if you invest in foreign companies, you will have to deal with currency fluctuations because the funds will be converted to dollars before being invested.

In addition, if the foreign assets are not disclosed, it may trigger a penalty of 10 Lakhs. Additionally, the Income Tax Department of India would treat the tax return as a defective return under Section 139(9) and may issue notice to the assessee.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are required to file a tax return for gains from foreign stocks, take help from the industry's experts. Tax2Win has a huge team of experienced eCAs who can help you with ITR filing so that you can get maximum refunds and reap the benefits of investment in the foreign exchange market.

In conclusion, understanding how gains from foreign stock markets are taxed in India can be challenging, but Tax2win’s specialized CA-assisted ITR filing services are here to help. Our online CA services offer expert guidance and personalized support to ensure your tax returns are accurate and compliant. With our online CA consultation, you can efficiently manage your tax liabilities and optimize your gains. Book eCA Now!


Frequently Asked Questions

Q- How are capital gains on US stocks taxed in India?

For international investors, including Indian residents, the long-term capital gains tax rate on US stocks is typically 15% or 20%, depending on the individual's income level. It's important to note that this tax rate applies to the gains realized from the sale of US stocks held for more than one year.


Q- How do you calculate capital gains tax on foreign shares?

If you hold shares of a foreign company for more than 24 months, any gains realized from the sale of these shares are categorized as long-term capital gains. In such cases, the long-term capital gains tax rate is 20%, plus applicable surcharge and cess.


Q- Do I have to pay taxes in India if I live in the USA?

If you have resided in the U.S. long enough to be considered a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) but continue to have income originating from India, you are obligated to file your Indian income tax return when your income exceeds the basic exemption limit. The basic exemption limit is the threshold beyond which individuals are required to report their income and fulfill their tax obligations in India.


Q- What is capital gains tax on sale of foreign shares in India?

The tax you pay on capital gains from selling foreign shares in India depends on how long you held them:


Q- What is foreign investment tax?

The tax you pay on capital gains from selling foreign shares in India depends on how long you held them:

  • Long-term capital gains (LTCG): If you held the shares for more than 24 months, you get an LTCG on foreign shares tax rate of 20% plus applicable surcharge and cess. There's also an indexation benefit that adjusts the purchase cost for inflation, reducing your taxable gains.
  • Short-term capital gains (STCG): If you held the shares for 24 months or less, the gains are added to your regular income and taxed at your income slab rate.

CA Abhishek Soni
CA Abhishek Soni

Abhishek Soni is a Chartered Accountant by profession & entrepreneur by passion. He is the co-founder & CEO of Tax2Win.in. Tax2win is amongst the top 25 emerging startups of Asia and authorized ERI by the Income Tax Department. In the past, he worked in EY and comes with wide industry experience from telecom, retail to manufacturing to entertainment where he has handled various national and international assignments.