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Securities Transaction Tax: What is STT Tax?

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Synopsis:

Securities transaction tax (STT) is levied on the buying and selling of securities listed on the Indian stock exchanges. This tax was introduced in 2004 to curb tax evasion in the securities market and help the government earn revenue.

STT is payable on the trade of securities, like equities, derivatives, and units of equity-oriented mutual funds. The rate of STT varies based on the nature of the instrument and the type of transaction.

For example, in the case of buying or selling of equity shares, a 0.1% STT is levied on the transaction value. However, in the case of intraday transactions, an STT of 0.025% is levied only on the sale of securities (not on the purchase).

Securities transaction tax (STT) is a direct tax that is imposed on the buying and selling of securities listed on the Indian stock exchanges. It comes under the purview of the Securities Transaction Tax Act, which was enacted in 2004. The main objective of the act was to curb tax evasion and generate revenue.

As per the act, the securities on which STT is payable include equities, derivatives, and units of equity-oriented mutual funds. STT is also payable on unlisted shares that are sold under an OFS (offer for sale) that is made to the public as a part of an IPO (initial public offering) and when such shares are later listed on stock exchanges. The STT Act also clarifies who has to pay the tax: the buyer or the seller. Meanwhile, it is the Central Government that decides the rate of STT, which can change it from time to time. Having explained what STT is, let us delve deeper into the topic.

Understanding the Securities Transaction Tax (STT)

  • Definition of the Securities Transaction Tax (STT): STT is a direct tax that is levied on the purchase and sale of certain types of securities defined under the Securities Transaction Tax Act, including equities, derivatives, units of equity-oriented mutual funds, etc. The rate of tax can vary based on the type of securities and the nature of the transaction.

  • Importance of STT in the Stock Market: The Central Government introduced the Securities Transaction Tax Act in 2004 to deal with tax evasion on the profits made by people on buying and selling securities. Hence, this tax is important because it helps the government curb tax evasion and improve its tax collections. The government can use the revenue collected through STT for several public welfare projects related to infrastructure, education, healthcare, etc. Moreover, as STT is levied on every transaction involving a variety of securities, it helps the regulators monitor trading and spot suspicious activities.

How Does the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) Work?

  • STT on Equity Delivery Transactions: When you buy or sell equity shares from a stock exchange in India on a delivery basis, you have to pay 0.1% of the transaction value as STT. If you are a buyer, you have to pay STT at the purchase price of the shares. And, if you are a seller, you have to pay STT at the selling price of the shares.

  • STT on Intraday Trading: In intraday trading, a person buys and sells a share within a trading day. Hence, the same person is the buyer and the seller both. In this case, STT is imposed on the sale of equity shares (not on their purchase). In intraday trading, a person has to pay the STT at the time of selling his shares.

  • STT on Derivatives (Futures & Options): When you sell a futures contract on securities, you have to pay 0.0125% STT of the transaction value as the seller of the contract. When you sell an options contract, you have to pay 0.1% STT of the value of the option premium. When an option is exercised, the buyer pays an STT of 0.125% of the settlement price.

STT Charges & Rates: What You Need to Know?

  • STT Rates for Different Transaction Types: STT charges on various types of transactions are explained in the table below.

Transaction

STT Rate

Who should pay the STT?

Value on which STT has to be paid

Purchase of equity shares (Delivery-based)

0.1%

Buyer

The price at which equity shares are bought

Sale of equity shares (Delivery-based)

0.1%

Seller

The price at which equity shares are sold

Sale of  units of equity-oriented mutual funds (Delivery-based)

0.001%

Seller

The price at which a unit is sold

Sale of an option on a security

0.1%

Seller

The value of the option premium

Sale of an option on securities where the option is exercised

0.125%

Buyer

Settlement price

Sale of a futures contract on securities

0.02%

Seller

The trading price of futures

Sale of unlisted shares that are sold under an OFS that is made to the public as a part of an IPO and when such shares are later listed on stock exchanges

0.2%

Seller

The selling price of such shares

  • Factors Affecting STT Calculation: As the above table on STT charges shows, the STT can vary based on the nature of the transaction (delivery-based or intraday). It also changes based on the nature of a financial instrument (equity shares, F&O, or units of a mutual fund). Besides, the responsibility of paying the STT can vary (sometimes the buyer pays the tax and other times the seller pays it). Another factor that impacts the value of the STT is the transaction value.

Impact of STT on Traders and Investors

  • How STT Affects Trading Profitability: STT increases the cost of transactions and hence can affect the profitability of traders. In the case of equity shares, STT is levied on both the purchase and sale. However, in the case of intraday trading, STT is imposed only on the sale. Similarly, STT is imposed on F&O transactions as well. While the rate of STT is quite low, it can still affect a trader’s profits if the frequency or volume of his transactions is high.

Why is STT Imposed? Purpose and Significance

  • Revenue Generation for the Government: Revenue Generation for the Government: STT is a prominent financial market-based tax that helps the government generate a considerable amount of revenue every year. This tax is levied on a significant number of stock market transactions, many of which are extremely small in value. Hence, it widens the tax net and helps the government boost its tax revenue.

  • Regulation and Prevention of Speculative Trading: STT is imposed on a wide range of transactions involving various securities. Hence, it helps the regulators track the activities of traders. Moreover, STT discourages speculative traders by increasing the cost of transactions. The more such traders trade, the more STT they have to pay. Hence, STT incentivizes long-term investment and discourages frequent buying and selling of securities for short-term.

STT vs. Other Trading Taxes  

  • Difference Between STT and Capital Gains Tax:

Criteria

STT

Capital Gains Tax

Nature

STT is levied on the purchase and sale of securities, like equities, units of a mutual fund, and derivatives.

Capital gains tax is levied on the capital gains arising on the sale of assets, like shares, bonds, property, etc.

Objective

The objective of STT is to reduce tax evasion, curb speculative trading, and help the government generate tax revenue.

Capital gains tax is imposed to tax the profit generated on the sale of assets like securities, property, etc.

Tax Payer

STT is payable by either the buyer or the seller, depending upon the nature of the financial instrument involved.

Capital gains tax is payable by the person who had invested in the asset that is sold to earn a profit.

  • STT vs. Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT)

Criteria

STT

Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT)

Nature

This tax is imposed on the trading of equity shares, derivatives, and units of mutual funds.

This tax is imposed on the trading of commodity derivatives.

Instruments taxed

STT is levied on equity shares, derivatives, and units of equity-oriented mutual funds.

CTT is imposed on exchange-traded non-agricultural commodity derivatives. CTT is not levied on agricultural derivatives.

Objective

STT is meant to reduce tax evasion, curb speculative trading, and help the government earn more through taxes.

The objective of CTT is to discourage people who indulge in speculative trading of commodity futures.

How to Calculate STT on Your Trades?

  • Simple Formula for STT Calculation: STT is levied on the transaction value when equity shares are bought or sold on delivery basis by using this formula:

STT = Transaction Value × 0.1%

In the case of intraday transactions, STT is levied only on the sale of securities (not on the purchase). However, for calculation, we consider the average of buying and selling prices. Hence, the formula for STT calculation in the case of intraday transactions is as follows:

STT = Average of Buying & Selling Price  × Number of Shares × 0.025%

  • Examples of STT Calculation in Real-Time Trades: Suppose you buy 100 shares of a company called “ABC” at ₹20 each. You will have to pay a STT of ₹2 (100 × 20 × 0.1%). Suppose you buy 100 shares of a company called “ABC” at ₹20 each and sell them all at ₹22 each within the same day. You will have to pay a STT of  ₹0.525 (100 × 21 × 0.025%). Note the 21 in the brackets is the average of buying (₹20) and selling prices (₹22).

Conclusion   

There is no denying that the securities transaction tax is one of the most important taxes related to the stock market. Hence, if you want to participate in the market, you should understand STT thoroughly. When you buy or sell securities frequently, you need to check how much STT you will pay because it can affect your profitability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the securities transaction tax (STT) in the stock market?

Answer Field

Securities transaction tax (STT) is the direct tax that is levied on the purchase and sale of a variety of securities, including equity shares, derivatives, and units of equity-oriented mutual funds.

How is the securities transaction tax applied to stock market transactions?

Answer Field

Depending upon the nature of the transaction (equity delivery, intraday trading, units of equity-oriented MFs, or derivatives), a certain tax rate is levied on the transaction value to calculate STT.

What are the current STT rates in India for various transactions?

Answer Field

On the purchase and sale of equity shares (delivery basis), 0.1% STT is levied on the transaction value. On the sale of  units of equity-oriented MFs (delivery-based), 0.001% STT has to be paid by the seller. The rate of STT varies based on the nature of the transaction. For a detailed list, please check a table provided in the content above.

Is STT applicable to all types of stock market trades?

Answer Field

While STT is applicable to most types of stock market trades, it is not applicable to all types of such trades. For example, transactions in government securities and off-market transfers are exempt from STT. When mutual funds sell units to investors, such transactions are also exempt from STT.

How does STT impact the profitability of traders and investors?

Answer Field

STT is levied on the transaction value. Hence, the more you trade, the more STT you will have to pay.

Can securities transaction tax (STT) be claimed as a tax deduction in India?

Answer Field

No, securities transaction tax cannot be claimed as a tax deduction in India.

What is the difference between STT and capital gains tax?

Answer Field

STT is applicable on buying and selling of securities, like equity shares, futures & options, and units in equity-oriented mutual funds. More importantly, it is imposed on the transaction value. However, capital gains tax is imposed on the profits generated on selling assets like shares, property, bonds, etc.

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