Mutual funds were born out of a real problem: most people didn’t have the time, skill, or patience to pick the “right” stocks. So someone asked a smarter question – why not pool money together and let professionals manage it? That simple idea made investing accessible to everyone.
A mutual fund is essentially an investment vehicle in which an Asset Management Company (AMC) collects money from multiple investors and invests it across assets, including equities, debt, and other instruments, to meet a common investment goal. In return, you receive units and the advantages of a diversified, professionally managed portfolio.
From a taxation point of view, mutual funds are primarily divided into two categories based on their equity exposure:
1. Equity-oriented mutual funds
Equity mutual funds invest at least 65% of their portfolio in shares of domestic companies and offer long-term capital appreciation. Their taxation is similar to direct equity shares.
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If held for more than 12 months:
Gains are taxed as long-term capital gains (LTCG) at 12.5%, with an exemption on the first ₹1.25 lakh of gains each year.
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If held for less than 12 months:
Gains are treated as short-term capital gains (STCG) and taxed at 20%.
2. Debt-oriented mutual funds
Debt mutual funds invest in corporate bonds, government securities, and other fixed-income instruments.
Taxation of debt funds has undergone a lot of changes over past 3 years. Earlier, they used to be taxed differently for short-term vs long-term, and later on it was all made the same irrespective of the holding period.
So if you hold debt mutual funds, your taxation will depend on when they were purchased and how long they were held.
Here’s how the rules apply:
→ For debt funds purchased before 1st April 2023
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If sold after being held for 24 months or less, the gains are taxed as STCG at your slab rate.
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If sold after being held for more than 24 months, the gains qualify as LTCG and are taxed at 12.5%.
→ For debt funds purchased after 1st April 2023
- In this case, the gains will be taxed at slab rate, irrespective of the holding period or date of sale.
We’ve covered debt funds in detail here.
Mutual funds also offer a few blended and goal-based options, such as:
Hybrid funds
These funds mix equity and debt in different proportions, giving you both growth potential and stability. They’re great for investors who want diversification in a single fund.
Their taxation depends on the equity allocation:
- If equity ≥ 65% (aggressive hybrids), they’re taxed exactly like equity funds.
- If equity < 65% (balanced, conservative hybrids), they’re taxed like debt funds.
Index funds
Index funds mirror the market instead of trying to beat it. Whether it’s Nifty 50, Sensex, or Nifty Next 50, these funds track an index and keep costs low. They’re simple, transparent, and ideal for long-term wealth without constant monitoring.
If the underlying index has 65% or more domestic equity (which most do), they’re taxed like an equity fund with the long-term capital gains at 12.5% after 12 months of holding.
ELSS funds
If you want tax savings under Section 80C while still investing in equity, ELSS (equity linked savings schemes) is the shortest route with a 3-year lock-in (the lowest among 80C options). They help you save tax while growing your money through equity.
And they are always taxed like equity funds, so you can also claim up to ₹1.5 lakh as an 80C deduction each year.
Sectoral & thematic funds
These are for investors who believe in a specific idea. Maybe you’re bullish on banking, optimistic about pharma, or excited about EVs and renewable energy. These funds channel your money into one industry or theme. Because they offer concentrated exposure, they’re high-conviction and high-risk.
These too are typically equity funds, since they invest 80% or more in a specific equity theme/sector, and their taxation follows equity rules.
Solution-oriented funds
These are long-term funds anchored around specific goals, such as retirement or a child’s education. They come with a mandatory lock-in of five years to keep you aligned with your goals.
Their taxation depends on their asset mix:
- Equity-oriented solution funds (≥ 65% equity)→ taxed like equity funds
- Debt-oriented solution funds (< 65% equity)→ taxed like debt funds
Have questions? Drop them below!