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    How are Equity Mutual funds taxed?

    Mar 14, 2019
    7 mins | Views 1547

    Investing in equity funds can be tricky, due to multiple nuances involved in investments and tax structuring questions. Through this article, we look at certain such taxation aspects relating to equity oriented mutual funds.

    What are equity mutual funds?

    Simply stated, equity oriented mutual funds are funds which invest principally in stocks. Equity funds could be good investment vehicles for novice investors who do not possess the expertise to directly invest in stocks or do not have considerable financial capital or risk appetite to invest. There are various unique characteristics of these funds, such as-

    • Risk reduction-Individual risks are absorbed by portfolios due to diversification in investments; hence, market fluctuations do not materially affect the investments. A more diversified fund indirectly reduces the negative effects of individual stock’s adverse prices.

    • Low Investment Amount - Equity investments do not require huge capital investments. They are therefore desirable for small investors looking to invest their savings.

    Also, Equity Linked Saving Scheme (ELSS), a type of equity fund that can help in tax planning by reducing your taxable income.

    How are equity mutual funds taxed?

    Mutual funds are tax-efficient investments and are often preferred as tax planning mechanisms. Generally, a mutual fund can generate two kinds of income- (i) Dividends and (ii) Capital gains. Taxation of the dividend is done by a levy of a dividend distribution tax (also called "DDT"), which are deducted at source.

    Dividends:

    • The Budget 2020 imposed a TDS on dividend distribution by mutual funds on or after 1 April 2020. Dividend income is added to the investor’s income and is taxed as per the investor’s tax slab. If the dividend income exceeds Rs.5,000, a standard rate of TDS of 10% is also applicable. However, as a part of COVID-19 relief measure, the government reduced the TDS rate on dividend to 7.5% from 14 May 2020 until 31 March 2021.

    Capital Gains:

    Further, the sale/ redemption of mutual funds can result in tax implications as well. These may arise in the form of Short-Term Capital Gains (called as "STCGs") and Long-Term Capital Gains (called as "LTCGs"). For >strong>equity funds, the period of holding for LTCGs is 12 months and above.

    Short-term capital gains from equity orientated funds are taxed at the rate of 15% plus surcharges & cess.

    Post Budget 2018, LTCGs on equity investments earlier tax free would be taxed at the rate of 10% (plus applicable surcharge and cess) above a gain of INR 1 lacs per annum without the benefit of indexation. Furthermore, to provide relief to existing investors, amount of capital gains made up to 31 Jan 2018 are exempted. The amount of Gains made after this cut-off date will be taxed i.e. gains until January 31, 2018 are ‘grandfathered’.

    Even though now there is a LTCG tax, on equity funds, with their low expenses, shorter lock in period, better and transparent portfolio management they still aim to provide potential higher tax adjusted returns.

    Investors are advised to consult their tax advisors for their individual tax implications.

    Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

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