Intraday trading attracts millions of retail investors seeking quick profits from daily market movements. However, when it comes to tax compliance, many traders are confused about how to report these transactions. Understanding intraday trading ITR requirements is essential because intraday profits and losses are treated differently from delivery-based trades.
This comprehensive guide explains intraday income tax filing procedures in detail. You'll learn about equity intraday tax India rules, understand intraday loss set off provisions, and discover how to report these transactions correctly in your return.
Intraday Trading: Classified as Speculative Business
Under the Income Tax Act, intraday equity trading is classified as "speculative business." This is because shares are bought and sold on the same day without actual delivery. The settlement is only the difference between buy and sell prices, not the physical transfer of shares.
Speculative vs Non-Speculative: Key Differences
| Parameter | Intraday (Speculative) | F&O (Non-Speculative) |
| Settlement | No delivery, only difference settled | Exchange-traded derivatives |
| Tax Treatment | Speculative business income | Non-speculative business income |
| Loss Set Off | Only against speculative gains | Against any income except salary |
| Carry Forward | 4 years | 8 years |
How Intraday Income is Taxed in India
Understanding equity intraday tax India rules helps you plan better. Intraday profits are added to your total income and taxed at your applicable slab rate.
Tax Rate Structure
- No special rate: Unlike capital gains, there's no flat tax rate for intraday income
- Slab rate applies: Net intraday profit is added to total income
- Deductions allowed: Trading expenses can be claimed against income
- Tax regime choice: Both old and new regime applicable
Example:
Amit has salary income of Rs. 8 lakh and intraday trading profit of Rs. 2 lakh. His total income becomes Rs. 10 lakh. Tax is calculated on the entire Rs. 10 lakh at applicable slab rates, not separately on trading income.
Intraday Loss Set Off: Limited but Valuable
The rules for intraday loss set off are restrictive compared to other business losses. This is the most important aspect of intraday income tax filing that traders must understand. Check CBDT guidelines for current provisions.
| Intraday Loss Can Set Off Against | Allowed? |
| Other intraday (speculative) profits | Yes |
| F&O income (non-speculative) | No |
| Salary income | No |
| House property income | No |
| Capital gains | No |
| Carry forward (4 years) | Only speculative income |
Which ITR Form for Intraday Trading
Choosing the correct form is crucial for intraday trading ITR filing. You cannot use ITR-1 or ITR-2 if you have intraday income or loss.
- ITR-3: Required form for intraday traders. Includes Schedule BP for business income and speculative income reporting
- ITR-4: Only if opting for presumptive taxation and turnover within limits (not recommended for traders with losses)
For hassle-free filing with proper speculative income reporting, consider Stock Trader ITR services or professional ITR-3 Filing assistance.
Calculating Intraday Turnover
Turnover calculation determines tax audit requirements. For intraday trading, turnover is the absolute sum of all profits and losses, not the total traded value.
Formula:
Intraday Turnover = |Profit on profitable trades| + |Loss on losing trades|
Example:
Sneha made 100 intraday trades during the year. Total profit from winning trades: Rs. 3,00,000. Total loss from losing trades: Rs. 2,50,000. Her turnover is Rs. 5,50,000 (not net profit of Rs. 50,000). This determines whether audit is required.
Step-by-Step: Filing ITR for Intraday Trading
Follow these steps to correctly show intraday trading ITR details through the Income Tax e-Filing Portal.
Step 1: Download Trading Statements
Obtain your intraday P&L report from your broker. Most brokers provide a separate statement for intraday trades showing date-wise profit/loss, brokerage, and charges.
Step 2: Calculate Net Profit/Loss and Turnover
Add up all intraday profits and losses separately. Net profit/loss is the actual gain or loss. Turnover is the absolute sum needed for audit threshold determination.
Step 3: Identify Deductible Expenses
List trading expenses: brokerage, STT, exchange charges, demat charges, internet (proportionate), and trading software subscriptions. These reduce taxable income.
Step 4: Select ITR-3 and Fill Schedule BP
Login to the portal. Select ITR-3. In Schedule BP (Business or Profession), find the section for speculative business income. Enter gross profit/loss and expenses separately.
Step 5: Report Losses for Carry Forward
If you have net intraday loss, fill Schedule CYLA and Schedule CFL. Speculative losses carry forward for 4 years and can only offset future speculative gains.
Step 6: Submit and Verify
Review all entries. Ensure other income heads are correctly filled. Submit and e-verify using Aadhaar OTP or net banking.
Conclusion: Report Intraday Trading Correctly
Filing intraday trading ITR correctly requires understanding its speculative business classification. Mastering intraday income tax filing helps you stay compliant while claiming legitimate expenses. Knowing equity intraday tax India rules prevents costly mistakes.
Remember that intraday loss set off options are limited to speculative income only. This makes profitable years more valuable for utilizing carried forward losses. Maintain records of all trades, file on time to preserve carry forward benefits, and pay advance tax if your liability exceeds Rs. 10,000. Your trading strategy should include tax efficiency as a key component.
