The Securities Transaction Tax (STT) is a direct tax levied on the buying and selling of various financial instruments, including equity, debentures, bonds, derivatives, mutual funds, etc.
It is collected by recognized stock exchanges, mutual funds, or lead merchant bankers during initial public offerings (IPOs).
STT is paid on transactions carried out irrespective of profit or loss from that particular transaction. STT Act, 2004 regulates Securities Transaction Tax.
The STT was introduced to ensure a clean and efficient way of collecting taxes from financial market transactions.
STT is levied on selling or purchasing securities on listed stock exchanges. The government of India decides the rate of STT from time to time. Listed stock exchanges or recognized entities in case of mutual funds or merchant bankers in case of IPO are required to collect STT from investors and deposit the same with the government before the 7th of every month.
The rates of STT are as follows:
Delivery-based purchase of equity shares: 0.1%
Delivery-based sale of equity shares: 0.1%
Sale of units of mutual funds: 0.001%
Sale of equity shares or a unit of an equity-oriented mutual fund when such contract is settled otherwise by actual delivery of unit or share: 0.025%
Sale of options in securities: 0.05%
Sale of options in securities where options are exercised: 0.125%
Sale of futures in securities: 0.01%
Sale of a unit of an equity-oriented mutual fund to the Mutual Fund – ETFs: 0.001%
STT is payable by the seller in most cases, but the buyer pays STT for options and futures contracts. STT does not apply to off-market transactions or on commodity or currency transactions.
In summary, STT is a regulatory charge that investors and traders pay to the central government when dealing with securities listed on stock exchanges. It helps maintain transparency and contributes to the country’s revenue.
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