Introduction: Turn Losses Into Tax Savings
Imagine you made a stock market loss of ₹1 lakh this year. Normally, that's just painful. You lost ₹1 lakh. End of story.
BUT... what if you could use that ₹1 lakh loss to WIPE OUT your capital gains tax? What if your ₹15,000 tax liability becomes ₹0? What if your ₹50,000 tax becomes ₹10,000?
That's the magic of Tax-Loss Harvesting—a completely legal, tax-saving strategy that most Indian investors don't even know exists!
This guide explains tax-loss harvesting simply, shows realistic examples, reveals the trap (wash sale rule), and helps you save ₹20,000-₹1,00,000+ in taxes THIS YEAR.
What is Tax-Loss Harvesting?
Simple Definition
Selling investment securities (stocks, mutual funds, ETFs) that have DECLINED in value to realize capital losses. These losses are then used to offset capital GAINS from other profitable investments, reducing your total tax liability.
Real-Life Analogy
Real Example: How Tax-Loss Harvesting Saves Money
Scenario: Your Portfolio This Year
WITHOUT Tax-Loss Harvesting
Stock X profit: ₹80,000
LTCG tax @ 12.5% (above ₹1.25L exemption): ₹10,000
Total Tax Payable: ₹10,000
WITH Tax-Loss Harvesting
Sell Stock Y → Realize ₹40,000 loss
Sell Mutual Fund Z → Realize ₹20,000 loss
Total losses harvested: ₹60,000
Step 2: Offset gains with losses
LTCG from Stock X: ₹80,000
Less: Losses harvested: ₹60,000
Net taxable gain: ₹20,000
LTCG tax @ 12.5%: ₹2,500
TAX SAVED: ₹10,000 - ₹2,500 = ₹7,500!
Key Insight
Your actual loss is still real (Stock Y lost ₹40K, Fund Z lost ₹20K). But now you're using those losses productively—to save taxes! That ₹7,500 tax saving comes right to your pocket.
2 Types of Capital Gains: STCG vs LTCG
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG)
Profit from selling stocks/mutual funds held for 12 months or LESS
Tax Rate (Current 2025): 20% (increased from 15%)
Example: Bought stock at ₹100 in June, sold at ₹150 in November (6 months) = ₹50 gain, taxed at 20% = ₹10 tax
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG)
Profit from selling stocks/mutual funds held for MORE than 12 months
Tax Rate (Current 2025): 12.5% (above ₹1.25 lakh exemption)
Exemption: First ₹1.25 lakh gains = 0% tax (tax-free!)
Example: Bought stock at ₹100 in Jan 2024, sold at ₹150 in Feb 2025 (13 months) = ₹50 gain, 0% tax (within exemption)
Tax Rate Comparison
| Type | Holding Period | Tax Rate | Exemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| STCG | < 12 months | 20% | None |
| LTCG | > 12 months | 12.5% | ₹1.25 lakh/year |
Loss Offset Rules: What Can Be Set Off Against What?
Rule #1: Short-Term Capital Losses (STCL)
- ✓ Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) - YES
- ✓ Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) - YES
- ✓ Ordinary Income (up to ₹2L) - YES
Rule #2: Long-Term Capital Losses (LTCL)
- ✓ Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) - YES
- ✗ Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) - NO
- ✗ Ordinary Income - NO
Key Difference
Short-term losses are MORE valuable because they can offset both types of gains. Long-term losses can only offset long-term gains.
Carry Forward: Use Losses for 8 Years!
If your losses exceed your gains in a year, the EXTRA losses can be saved for up to 8 years and used to offset future capital gains!
Real Example: 8-Year Carry Forward
IMPORTANT: Losses can only be carried forward if you file your Income Tax Return (ITR) on time!
The Trap: Wash Sale Rule (30-Day Rule)
You CANNOT sell a stock/fund at a loss and buy the SAME stock/fund back within 30 days (before or after the sale).
If you do, the tax department will DISALLOW your loss claim!
Real Example: The Trap
RIGHT WAY (Wait 30 Days):
Alternative: Buy Similar Stock
Which Assets Qualify for Tax-Loss Harvesting?
- ✓ Listed equity stocks (NSE/BSE)
- ✓ Equity mutual funds
- ✓ ETFs (Index funds, Gold ETFs, etc.)
- ✓ Unlisted shares
- ✓ Debt mutual funds
- ✓ Government bonds & securities
- ✓ Corporate bonds
- ✗ Real estate/property (different rules)
- ✗ Gold/silver coins (covered under Section 49)
- ✗ Crypto losses (no tax recognition yet in India)
How to Implement Tax-Loss Harvesting (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Review Your Portfolio (Nov-Dec)
- ✓ List all holdings with cost price and current price
- ✓ Identify stocks/funds trading at LOSS (bought at ₹100, now ₹60)
- ✓ Check holding period (>12 months = LTCG, <12 months = STCG)
Step 2: Calculate Tax Benefit
- ✓ Calculate total losses available for harvesting
- ✓ Calculate total gains you expect this year
- ✓ Calculate tax saving: (Losses × Tax Rate)
Step 3: Check If Worth It
- ✓ Brokerage cost per sale: ₹20-50
- ✓ If tax saving < Brokerage cost: Skip it
- ✓ Only harvest if tax saving ≥ ₹1,000+
Step 4: Sell Loss-Making Holdings
- ✓ In December (end of financial year)
- ✓ Sell stocks/funds showing losses
- ✓ Keep proof of sale (capital loss transaction)
Step 5: Reinvest (Avoiding Wash Sale)
- ✓ Option A: Wait 31 days, buy same stock back
- ✓ Option B: Buy similar/different stock immediately (avoid "substantially identical")
- ✓ Option C: Keep cash if market looks risky
Step 6: File ITR by July 31
- ✓ Report all capital gains/losses in Schedule CG
- ✓ Must file by July 31 to carry forward unused losses
- ✓ Late filing = Losses NOT carried forward!
Common TLH Mistakes to Avoid
Problem: Sell loss stock on Dec 20, buy back Dec 25. Loss DISALLOWED!
Fix: Wait 30+ days OR buy completely different stock
Problem: File return in September. Carry-forward losses forfeited!
Fix: File ITR by July 31 to save your losses for 8 years
Problem: Harvest ₹500 loss, pay ₹25 brokerage = net loss!
Fix: Only harvest losses >₹1,000 (tax benefit ≥ ₹125)
Problem: Sell great stock just because it's down. Loses recovery potential!
Fix: Only harvest "permanently impaired" stocks you wanted to exit anyway
Real Tax Savings: Different Scenarios
Scenario 1: STCG Investor
Gains (STCG): ₹3,00,000
Losses to harvest: ₹1,00,000
Tax rate on STCG: 20%
Without TLH:
Tax on ₹3L @ 20% = ₹60,000
With TLH:
Taxable gain: ₹3L - ₹1L = ₹2L
Tax on ₹2L @ 20% = ₹40,000
TAX SAVED: ₹20,000
Scenario 2: LTCG Investor (Above Exemption)
Gains (LTCG): ₹5,00,000
Losses to harvest: ₹2,00,000
Tax rate on LTCG: 12.5% (above ₹1.25L exemption)
Without TLH:
Taxable: ₹5L - ₹1.25L exemption = ₹3.75L
Tax @ 12.5% = ₹46,875
With TLH:
Gains after loss offset: ₹5L - ₹2L = ₹3L
Taxable: ₹3L - ₹1.25L exemption = ₹1.75L
Tax @ 12.5% = ₹21,875
TAX SAVED: ₹25,000
Key Points Summary:
- ✅ TLH is LEGAL: It's tax planning, not tax evasion
- ✅ Save ₹10,000-₹1,00,000+: Depends on your capital gains
- ✅ STCL > LTCL: Short-term losses more valuable (offset both types)
- ✅ Carry losses 8 years: Unused losses don't disappear!
- ✅ Beware wash sale: Wait 30 days or buy different stock
- ✅ File ITR by July 31: Critical for carrying forward losses
Your Action Plan (THIS MONTH):
- ✓ Download your portfolio from Zerodha/Angel One
- ✓ List stocks trading at loss
- ✓ Calculate potential tax savings
- ✓ If >₹1,000: Sell loss-making stocks in December
- ✓ Buy similar stocks (not wash sale)
- ✓ File ITR by July 31 showing all gains/losses
- ✓ Save ₹20,000-₹50,000+ in taxes!
The Bottom Line:
Most Indian investors don't know about tax-loss harvesting. You now do! Use this knowledge to save thousands in taxes every year. It's 100% legal, completely compliant, and perfectly ethical.
💚 Harvest Losses Today. Save Taxes Tomorrow. Keep More Money in Your Pocket!