Who wrote this article?

Deepak Shenoy, Capitalmind's research team.

New NHAI bonds for Capital Gains Exemption

29 May 2008Deepak Shenoy1 min read

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What is "New NHAI bonds for Capital Gains Exemption" about?
What category is this article in?: Commentary
Who wrote this article?: Deepak Shenoy, Capitalmind's research team.
When was this article published?: Published 29 May 2008.
How long does this article take to read?: 1 min read

Samarth Modi, who I’ve been having an email conversation with over all things investing, let me know recently that there were no capital gains exemption bonds available. You are allowed (under section 53EC) to park your taxable long term capital gains in certain government issued bonds to avoid the tax. Other than stocks and equity mutual funds, all other asset investments are taxed at 20% long term capital gains tax.

The only two bonds you can invest in are issued by Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). These bonds are locked in for three years and carry interest rates of around 5-6%. (The interest, though, is taxable) Too little, you say? You’re saving 20% on cap gains tax now, which is more than the amount you lose on the interest.

Anyhow, Samarth found in May that there were no more bonds available. Both REC and NHAI had closed their offers of 2007-08, and hadn’t opened new ones. He found that around May 26, NHAI started the next series of bonds, and posted me a mail - so here you go:

NHAI’s 2008-09 bond issue is now open.

All kinds of long term capital gains can be parked here - i.e. real estate, gold, debt funds etc.