Get the Tata Capital App to apply for Loans & manage your account. Download Now

Blogs

SUPPORT

Menu  
 
Apply Now
Apply Now

Tata Capital > Blog > Wealth Services > Taxation of international mutual funds in India: What the 2026 Budget means for investors

Wealth Services

Taxation of international mutual funds in India: What the 2026 Budget means for investors

Taxation of international mutual funds in India: What the 2026 Budget means for investors

The 2024-25 Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, introduced some critical changes to the capital gains tax structure, impacting equity Funds of Funds (FoFs) and, most importantly, gold and international mutual funds. These changes are centred around holding periods and a revised Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax rate.

If you’re curious about these changes and are wondering whether investing in international funds will help your portfolio soar higher, look no further.

Here, we discuss everything you need to know about the tax and holding period changes regarding international funds in Budget 2024 to help you decide whether investing in them is a good idea for you.

International funds: Explained

Before we discuss the tax changes brought about by the Union Budget 2024, let’s first understand what international mutual funds are. These funds help you invest in foreign companies and are also referred to as foreign or overseas mutual funds.

International funds help you gain exposure to global economic growth, global markets and currency movement. Investing in these offers significant returns, more so during periods of favorable economic recovery and currency depreciation.

Taxation of international mutual funds in India: Budget 2026 key reforms

The Union Budget 2026 did not introduce major direct changes to the taxation of international mutual funds in India. Thus, the earlier changes from 2024-25 remain as follows:

Reduction in holding period

The long term holding period for gold mutual funds, equity FoFs and, most importantly, international funds has been reduced to more than 24 months from more than 36 months. Simply put, international funds must now be held for more than 24 months to qualify for LTCG benefits.

LTCG & STCG taxation on international mutual funds: Before & after Budget 2026

  • If invested prior 1st April 2023 and sold before 22nd July 2024: International mutual funds were taxed as per slab rate if held for less than 3 years. Investments held for more than 3 years were taxed at 20% with indexation Benefit.
  • If invested post 1st April 2023 and sold after 23rd July 2024: Capital gains will be taxed at 12.5% if held for more than 24 months (the revised long-term holding period). Short Term Capital Gains (STCG) tax rate will depend on the investor’s income tax slab.

How to calculate capital gains tax on international mutual funds in India?

The step-by-step process to calculate capital gains tax on international mutual funds in India is as follows:

  1. Identify the type of fund: Most international mutual funds are treated as non-equity funds in India, so they do not receive equity tax benefits and are subject to debt-fund taxation rules.
  2. Check your purchase date: Tax treatment depends on whether you invested before or after 1 April 2023, as indexation is mostly removed for newer investments.
  3. Determine the holding period: If you hold units for up to 24 months, gains are short-term. If held for more than 24 months, gains are considered long-term.
  4. Calculate capital gains: Subtract the purchase cost and any allowed expenses from the sale value. This is your capital gains amount.
  5. Calculate taxes: Short-term gains are added to your total income and taxed according to your income-tax slab rate. For long-term gains, you need to calculate taxes at 12.5% without indexation.
  6. Check grandfathering benefits: You can apply indexation rules and earlier tax rates to older investments (those purchased before 1 April 2023).

Comparing taxation: International mutual funds vs domestic mutual funds

International mutual funds differ from domestic mutual funds in certain aspects. Understanding these differences is crucial to comparing taxation. International mutual funds invest in global markets, but for tax purposes, they are generally treated like debt funds in India. Domestic equity funds get more favorable tax treatment and shorter holding periods.

The following table compares the taxation of international mutual funds vs domestic mutual funds.

AspectInternational mutual fundsDomestic equity mutual funds
Tax classificationUsually treated as non-equity funds in IndiaTreated as equity funds if they invest mainly in Indian stocks
Short-term gainsTaxed at your income-tax slab rateTaxed at 20% if sold within 12 months
Long-term gainsTaxed at about 12.5% without indexation after 24 monthsTaxed at 12.5% after 12 months, with an annual exemption limit for gains
Holding period for LTCGMore than 24 monthsMore than 12 months
Indexation benefitMostly not available for investments after April 2023Not available, but lower tax rates and exemption limit apply

Impact of new taxation rules on Indian investors

The above mentioned rules of taxation on international funds have made them significantly more attractive for an investor’s portfolio as the holding period is reduced to 24 months. Investors falling under higher tax brackets will also benefit from a lower LTCG tax rate of 12.5%..

If you’re a long-term investor, investing in international funds with the revised tax structure of 2024 can prove beneficial.

As on July 25, 2024, over the last year, international funds have performed well, with an average return of 12.53%. According to an Economic times news report, Mirae Asset NYSE FANG+ETF FoF recorded the highest return, at an impressive 51.83%. Given these changes in tax rate and holding period, Indian investors can more easily tap into the international market and gain critical exposure to the international economy.

Tax-saving tips and considerations for overseas fund investors

Every taxpayer wants to reduce their tax outgo. The following tips and considerations can help overseas fund investors achieve this goal:

  1. Check fund taxation first: Most international mutual funds are taxed like non-equity funds, so understand slab-rate taxation before investing.
  2. Hold for the long term: Your tax outgo is lower if you keep units for more than 24 months. The tax rate for long-term gains is lower than that for short-term gains.
  3. Plan redemptions carefully: Selling in a year when your income is lower may reduce overall tax if gains are added to your slab income.
  4. Use tax-loss harvesting: Another way to lower total tax payable is by booking losses in some funds. This strategy helps offset gains from other investments.
  5. Track old investments separately: Older investments made before April 2023 may have better tax treatment, so redeem them strategically.

Understanding TCS/Remittance rules for investing in international funds

Understanding TCS and remittance rules is important when investing in international funds from India. When you send money abroad under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS), banks may collect Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on the amount remitted. This is not an extra tax. It is an advance tax that you can adjust during income tax return filing.

TCS applies when your total foreign remittances are beyond the prescribed annual limit. Make sure you keep records of remittances and TCS certificates from your bank. Also, check RBI limits, currency conversion charges, and reporting requirements to avoid compliance issues while investing in overseas mutual funds or global investment platforms.

Common tax filing mistakes for international mutual funds

Make sure you don’t make the following mistakes while managing taxation for international mutual funds:

  • Not reporting gains correctly: Some investors forget to show capital gains from overseas funds on their tax return.
  • Using wrong tax rates: International funds are usually taxed like non-equity funds, not equity funds.
  • Ignoring the holding period: Short-term and long-term gains have different tax rules, so calculate the period carefully.
  • Missing foreign remittance details: Report LRS remittances and TCS collected by banks properly.
  • Forgetting currency conversion: Calculate gains only in rupees using the correct exchange rates.
  • Not tracking old investments: Earlier investments may follow different tax rules, so maintain proper records and statements.

Final thoughts

The 2024 Union Budget has introduced favorable tax reforms for international funds. Investors can consider systematic transfer plans (STPs) and systematic investment plans (SIPs) to gain exposure to these funds. That said, international funds are not immune to market volatility, and investors must stay updated on industry news to make informed decisions about them.

What’s more, you need a reliable and trustworthy financial platform as well. For this, choose Tata Capital Wealth. With Tata Group’s wisdom and experience of over 150 years by your side, you can forge ahead in your financial journey charging towards your financial aspirations confidently.

To learn more about our offerings, visit the Tata Capital Wealth website today!

Build Your Wealth with Expert Guidance from Tata Capital!

Apply now
Popular Searches
aif full form pms vs mutual fund bnpl meaning debt investment options debt syndication unlisted equity shares meaning gold etf vs gold bond plot plus construction loan

FAQs

What is the LTCG tax rate on international mutual funds in India after Budget 2026?

The taxation of international mutual funds in India remains unchanged after Budget 2026. The LTCG tax rate is 12.5% without indexation if funds are held for more than 24 months.

How are short-term capital gains on international mutual funds taxed in India?

International mutual fund taxation is treated the same as non-equity mutual fund taxation. Short-term capital gains are added to your total income and taxed as per your income-tax slab rates.

Can I claim indexation benefits for international mutual funds held in India?

You cannot claim indexation benefits for investments made after 1 April 2023. However, if you made investments before 1 April 2023, indexation benefits apply as earlier tax benefits continue.

What is the minimum holding period to qualify for LTCG on international mutual funds after the recent tax reforms?

According to the recent tax reforms, you need to hold an investment for over 24 months to qualify for long-term capital gains taxation.

Are there differences in taxation between international ETFs and international FoFs in India?

Yes, there are minor taxation differences between international ETFs and international FoFs. International FoFs are taxed like debt funds with LTCG after 24 months. However, some India-listed international ETFs may qualify as equity funds, getting LTCG after 12 months if they meet equity taxation conditions.

Disclaimer

Most Viewed Blogs

Trending Blogs

Calculator

Personal Loan EMI Calculator

Personal Loan EMI Calculator
Home Loan EMI Calculator

Home Loan EMI Calculator
Business Loan EMI Calculator

Business Loan EMI Calculator
Used Car Loan EMI Calculator

Used Car Loan EMI Calculator
Two Wheeler Loan EMI Calculator

Two Wheeler Loan EMI Calculator
Loan Against Securities Calculator

Loan Against Securities Calculator
Loan Against Property Calculator

Loan Against Property Calculator
More Tools
Our Subsidiaries
Our Private Equity Funds

Useful Links and Resources

Policies, Codes & Other Documents

Tata Capital Solutions & Services

Copyright © 2026 Tata Capital Limited

error-icon

Uh oh, something went wrong

Please try again later.

Most Important Terms & Conditions - Home Loans

Download in your preferred language

Download