How are my gains from US stocks or foreign shares taxed in India?
The short answer
If you are a resident in India for tax purposes, your worldwide income is taxable here, so gains on US stocks, RSUs, or foreign funds get taxed in India too. The holding period rules for foreign equity differ from Indian listed shares, so do not assume the same thresholds. You also have to disclose foreign holdings in the Schedule FA part of your return, and skipping that carries real penalties even if the amounts are small. Dividends and gains may have been taxed abroad, and India has treaties that let you claim relief for tax already paid overseas, so you are not taxed twice. This is one of the fiddlier corners of Indian tax and the rules move, so a CA who handles foreign assets is worth it. Treat this as general education and confirm the current treatment for your situation.
A curated summary to orient you, not advice. The resources below are the real value.
Go deeper, your way
4 hand-picked resources, 4 India-specific, 4 link-checked. Pick how you want to dig in.
📄 Article
✓ Link checkedIndiaFreeIntermediate
Why we picked it
The India reference on short vs long term capital gains, holding periods, and rates for equity, funds, and property, so you know the tax before you sell.
Why we picked it
Zerodha Varsity free module on how investment income is taxed in India: capital gains, holding periods, and turnover, in plain language.
