The Death of Indexation
- The Old Rule: Previously, you were allowed to adjust your property's purchase price to match inflation using the Cost Inflation Index (CII). You then paid a 20% tax on the inflation-adjusted profit. This often reduced the actual tax burden to single digits.
- The Budget 2024 Change: The government completely removed the indexation benefit for properties bought after July 23, 2024. In return, the tax rate was slashed from 20% to a flat 12.5%.
- How it affects you: If your property appreciated slowly over many years, you will likely pay significantly higher taxes under the new 12.5% flat rate compared to the old indexed system. If your property doubled in value rapidly (in 3-4 years), the 12.5% rate is highly beneficial to you.
- Exemptions (Section 54): You can completely avoid paying this 12.5% tax if you reinvest the entire capital gains amount into buying a new residential property in India within 2 years, or constructing one within 3 years.