Profits generated from the sale of stocks are generally classified as capital gains. The tax treatment of capital gains depends on whether they are short-term or long-term. Long-term capital gains (from holding stocks for more than one year) often qualify for lower tax rates compared to short-term gains.
In the realm of dividend tax rates, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is subtracted from the total payment. According to Section 194 of the Income Tax Act, companies issuing dividends must withhold a 10% tax for resident shareholders. Notably, this obligation is waived when the aggregate dividend distribution in a fiscal year is projected to be below Rs. 5,000, establishing a threshold for exemption from TDS.
Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) offer a tax-savvy approach for Section 80C investments. As equity-oriented mutual funds, ELSS provides investors with indirect exposure to the stock market subject to a mandatory 3-year lock-in period, while offering deductions of up to Rs1.50 lakh annually.