STOCKCALC.IN

STCG Calculator 2026: Short Term Capital Gains Tax 20%

Short-Term Gains Analysis: Calculate tax liabilities for assets held under 12 months with updated 2026 rates.

Reviewed by Mahavir Hirani, Financial Expert

The STCG (Short-Term Capital Gains) Calculator is updated for the latest Budget 2026 rules. Under the new regulations for FY 2026-27, short-term gains on listed equity and equity-oriented mutual funds are taxed at a flat rate of 20% (plus 4% cess).

Unlike LTCG, there is no basic exemption limit for STCG; every rupee of profit earned on assets held for less than 12 months is taxable. This tool provides a forensic breakdown of your tax liability to help you plan your exit strategy and potential tax-loss harvesting.

Transaction Data

₹
₹

Tax Regime Status

Holding Period:< 12 Months
Common Pitfall

STCG Rate Spike

Under the New Tax Regime 2026, STCG on equity has increased to 20%. Assets held for 366+ days qualify for LTCG (12.5%) with a ₹1.25L exemption.

Net Profit (After Tax)

₹39,600

Gross Profit: ₹50,000 before statutory deductions.

STCG Tax Payable

₹10,400

Incl. 4% Cess: ₹400

Effective Rate

20.0%

Statutory Equity Slab Rate

Capital Efficiency

Yield Assessment
Initial Capital: ₹1,00,000Post-Tax Profit: ₹39,600

Short-Term Capital Gains are added to your overall tax liability for the financial year. While Equity is flat-rated at 20%, Debt-oriented assets are taxed at your applicable income tax slabs.

Strategic Trading

Optimize the Exit Window.

The 20% tax hit on short-term trades is a significant drag on portfolio CAGR. Active traders must utilize tax-loss harvesting to offset gains before the fiscal year-end.

Tax Loss Harvesting

Sell underperforming stocks to book losses and offset your STCG liabilities.

The 366-Day Alpha

Converting STCG into LTCG saves 7.5% in tax and grants a ₹1.25L annual exemption.

Intraday Distinction

Remember: Intraday profits are Business Income, not STCG. They have different slab rates.

Capital Gains Suite

LTCG Tax MapIncome Tax 2026Tax Loss HarvesterHRA ExemptionBrokerage CalcMutual Fund CompareSIP Wealth BuilderXIRR Portfolio Yield

STCG Tax Rate 2026-27 (The 20% Rule)

The Union Budget 2026 significantly increased the STCG tax rate to curb excessive short-term speculation. Here are the applicable rates:

  • Listed Equity & Stocks: Taxed at **20%** (previously 15%).
  • Equity-Oriented Mutual Funds: Also taxed at **20%** if sold within 12 months.
  • Debt Funds & Unlisted Shares: Taxed at your applicable **Income Tax Slab Rate**, regardless of the holding period.

Holding Period: What Qualifies as Short-Term?

For taxation purposes in India, the 'Short-Term' definition depends on the asset class:

  • Listed Stocks & Equity MFs: Held for **less than 12 months**.
  • Unlisted Shares & Real Estate: Held for **less than 24 months**.
  • Debt Mutual Funds: Gains are always treated as short-term (taxed at slab) regardless of holding period for investments made after April 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

⚠️ Disclaimer

The figures provided by this calculator are estimates based on the inputs you provide and standard financial formulas. STOCKCALC.IN does not offer investment advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

MH

Verified Contributor

STCG Calculator 2026: Short Term Capital Gains Tax 20% analyzed by Mahavir Hirani

I verified this calculation against the April 2026 Fiscal Cycle. If you have questions about the logic, reach out via the Author Page.

Institutional Tool Suite

Professional-grade financial modeling engines for serious investors.

VERIFIED 2026 LOGIC
INSTITUTIONAL PARITY
Stock Score AIDCF Alpha EngineInstitutional SIPStrategy Saved
Short-term trading carries high tax friction. If your holding is near 12 months, consider waiting to qualify for LTCG (12.5%) and utilize the ₹1.25L exemption.

Share this tool

Help others make smarter financial decisions