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# How to Calculate Indexed Cost of Acquisition for Unlisted Shares
Long-term capital gains on unlisted shares (held more than 24 months) may be eligible for an indexation benefit. This adjustment reduces the taxable gain by accounting for inflation — and it can meaningfully reduce your tax bill.
This article explains the formula, provides a worked example, and shows where to find the Cost Inflation Index (CII) values.
Disclaimer: Tax rules change with each budget. The indexation benefit for unlisted shares was subject to modification in Budget 2024. Verify the current treatment with a CA before filing. This article describes general principles, not current law.
What Is Indexation?
When you hold an asset for many years, inflation erodes the real value of your investment. Indexation is a tax provision that adjusts your purchase price upward for inflation — making your nominal gain smaller, and therefore your tax bill lower.
The inflation adjustment uses the Cost Inflation Index (CII) — a number published by the CBDT each year. A higher CII means higher inflation, which means a larger upward adjustment to your cost.
The Formula
Indexed Cost of Acquisition = Original Cost × (CII of Year of Sale ÷ CII of Year of Purchase)
Long-Term Capital Gain = Sale Consideration − Indexed Cost of Acquisition − Transfer Expenses
CII Table (Selected Years)
| Financial Year | CII | |---|---| | 2017-18 | 272 | | 2018-19 | 280 | | 2019-20 | 289 | | 2020-21 | 301 | | 2021-22 | 317 | | 2022-23 | 331 | | 2023-24 | 348 | | 2024-25 | 363 |
Source: CBDT. Always verify at incometaxindia.gov.in — a new CII is released each June.
Worked Example 1: Simple Long-Term Gain
- Purchase: 200 shares at ₹300/share in FY 2020-21 (CII: 301)
- Sale: 200 shares at ₹700/share in FY 2024-25 (CII: 363)
- Original cost: 200 × ₹300 = ₹60,000
- Indexed cost: ₹60,000 × (363 ÷ 301) = ₹72,358
- Sale consideration: 200 × ₹700 = ₹1,40,000
- LTCG (with indexation): ₹1,40,000 − ₹72,358 = ₹67,642
- LTCG (without indexation): ₹1,40,000 − ₹60,000 = ₹80,000
Tax saving from indexation: (₹80,000 − ₹67,642) × 20% = ₹2,472 saved
Worked Example 2: Long Hold with Higher Inflation Benefit
- Purchase: 500 shares at ₹100/share in FY 2017-18 (CII: 272)
- Sale: 500 shares at ₹400/share in FY 2024-25 (CII: 363)
- Original cost: 500 × ₹100 = ₹50,000
- Indexed cost: ₹50,000 × (363 ÷ 272) = ₹66,728
- Sale consideration: 500 × ₹400 = ₹2,00,000
- LTCG (with indexation): ₹2,00,000 − ₹66,728 = ₹1,33,272
- LTCG (without indexation): ₹2,00,000 − ₹50,000 = ₹1,50,000
Tax saving from indexation: (₹1,50,000 − ₹1,33,272) × 20% = ₹3,346 saved
The longer you hold, the more inflation accumulates — and the larger the indexation benefit.
What If You Bought Shares on Multiple Dates (Multiple Lots)?
Each purchase lot is indexed separately using the CII for its own purchase year.
Example:
- Lot 1: 100 shares at ₹200 in FY 2019-20 (CII 289)
- Lot 2: 150 shares at ₹350 in FY 2021-22 (CII 317)
- Sold: All 250 shares at ₹600 in FY 2024-25 (CII 363)
Apply FIFO (First In, First Out) for identifying which shares are being sold — the first purchase is considered sold first.
Indexed Cost (Lot 1): ₹200 × (363/289) = ₹251.21/share Indexed Cost (Lot 2): ₹350 × (363/317) = ₹400.79/share
Calculate LTCG on each lot separately.
When Indexation Does NOT Apply
- Short-term gains (held ≤ 24 months): No indexation — taxed at slab rate
- Bonus shares: Cost of acquisition is nil for bonus shares; indexation applies from the date of allotment but on a zero base (so it makes no difference)
- Gifts: Cost = cost to original donor; holding period includes donor's period
Where to Enter in ITR
In Schedule CG → Part B → Section B5:
- Column: "Cost of acquisition without indexation" — enter original cost
- Column: "Indexed cost of acquisition" — enter the calculated indexed cost
- The system computes LTCG automatically
*Published by the Polemarch editorial team. Not tax advice. Verify CII values and applicable rates with a CA.*