Data last verified: June 2026
STCG vs LTCG: Difference, Holding Period & Tax Rates
Compare short-term and long-term capital gains tax in India for equity, mutual funds, property and other assets with simple examples.
Jashmin is a finance professional and founder of AbacusHand. She specialises in EMI & loan planning, income tax under old and new regimes, and SIP investment analysis for Indian households. Every calculator and article on AbacusHand is personally reviewed by her for accuracy.
STCG and LTCG decide how your investment profit is taxed. The same Rs 2 lakh profit can have different tax treatment depending on whether you sold before or after the long-term holding period.
Check estimated tax on your own sale values.
Use Capital Gains Tax CalculatorWhat is STCG?
STCG stands for short-term capital gain. It usually applies when you sell an asset before completing the required long-term holding period. STCG is often taxed at a higher rate than LTCG.
What is LTCG?
LTCG stands for long-term capital gain. It applies when you sell after the required holding period. For listed equity and equity mutual funds, long-term treatment usually starts after 12 months.
STCG vs LTCG Comparison
Example: Sell Before vs After 12 Months
If you buy listed equity for Rs 5 lakh and sell for Rs 7 lakh, the gain is Rs 2 lakh before expenses. Selling before the long-term threshold can make it STCG, while selling after the threshold can make it LTCG with different tax treatment.
How Investors Should Use This
Before selling, check:
- Purchase date
- Sale date
- Asset category
- Expected tax
- Whether waiting a little longer changes STCG to LTCG
- Whether you have capital losses to set off
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference is holding period. STCG applies when an asset is sold before the long-term threshold, while LTCG applies after that threshold.
Often yes from a tax angle, but investment decisions should not be based only on tax. Market risk, goals and liquidity matter too.
Check the fund type and holding period of each unit. SIP units can have different purchase dates, so some units may be STCG and others LTCG.