Tax on Gold Investment in India: Physical, Digital & SGB Explained

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone says safe and secure investment asset? Well, there is no doubt that it is gold. For years, people have invested in gold for so many reasons. Be it to save for a good future or to build assets against inflation, all the reasons define gold as a reliable investment choice.

But with time, we have seen a change in how people invest in gold. The options like digital gold, gold mutual funds, gold ETFs and others have allowed people to explore and expand their investment choices. But are the taxes on gold of different types the same?

Well, this is definitely one of the most important questions that we need to address. So, if you are an investor looking to get answers on the taxation policies for different types of gold, then you have just landed at the right place. Read this guide to find the answers and start your investment journey with ease. 

Gold Investment Types to Know

Before we move ahead to explore the tax on gold, it is important that we understand what are the different types of options available for investment. Now, traditionally, the investment mainly focused on physical gold. But now, you can also own gold online with no need for physical storage at all.

So, based on the same, here are the most common types of gold investment options that are available for us:

Type of Gold Investment	Description	Key Features
Physical Gold (Jewellery, Coins, Bars)	Buying gold in physical form through jewellers or banks.	Tangible AssetMaking Charges and GST applicable Storage & safety concerns
Gold ETFs	Exchange-traded funds that track gold prices and are traded on stock exchanges.	High liquidityNo storage hasslesRequires a Demat account
Gold Mutual Funds	Mutual funds invest primarily in Gold ETFs on behalf of investors.	Accessible via SIPsNo Demat requiredFollows gold mutual fund taxation rules
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)	Government securities linked to gold prices, offering fixed annual interest.	2.5% annual interestRedemption after maturity , Capital Gain is tax-freeNo storage costs
Digital Gold	Online platforms allow fractional purchase of gold stored by providers.	Easy online accessStored securely by providerTaxed like physical gold
Gold Derivatives (Futures & Options)	Contracts to buy or sell gold at a predetermined future date/price.	Hedging & speculation toolNo physical delivery unless optedHigh risk-reward potential

Now that you know the various types of gold investment options that are available for you, let us explore the taxation policies for each. This will help you not just to plan your investments well but also to ensure that you gain the best out of them.

Read Also: Gold ETF vs Gold Mutual Fund: Differences and Similarities

Tax on Physical Gold (Jewellery, Coins, and Bars)

Investing in physical gold includes bars, coins, jewelry, and other forms. People have been investing in these for years. Most of these come with making charges, which add on to the actual value of the gold. Now, when it comes to tax on gold, which you hold physically, here is what you must know:

Transaction Type	Condition	Tax Treatment
Purchase of Gold	Buying jewellery, coins, or bars	3% GST on the value of gold + 5% GST on making charges
Sale within 3 years	Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG)	Gains are taxed as per the individual’s income tax slab
Sale after 3 years	Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG)	20% tax with indexation benefit (inflation-adjusted cost) and 4% cess

While this allows you to have the physical ownership, the charges and costs associated with this are high. There is also a risk associated with storing. Hence, this is less preferred these days. 

Tax on Digital Gold

This is one of the newest forms of investing in gold. It offers you purity and affordability. You can start investing in digital gold with as low as INR 10, which makes it a great choice for beginners. The taxation on this gold is as follows:

Transaction Type	Condition	Tax Treatment
Purchase of Digital Gold	Buying via apps, platforms, or wallets	3% GST on the purchase value
Sale within 3 years	Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG)	Gains taxed as per individual’s income tax slab
Sale after 3 years	Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG)	20% tax with indexation benefit (inflation-adjusted cost) with 4% cess

Though the taxation part is quite similar to the physical gold, it eases the storage process. This helps you save on locker cost and also the making charges, which is why this is a better choice.

Tax on Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)

SGBs are government-backed securities that offer fixed interest along with exposure to gold prices. Their taxation is slightly different from other gold investments.

Transaction Type	Condition	Tax Treatment
Annual Interest	2.5% interest paid semi-annually	Taxed as per the investor’s income tax slab (no TDS deducted)
Redemption at Maturity (8 years)	Holding till maturity	Capital gains exempt — no tax on redemption value
Early redemption (after 5 years)	The RBI gives an early exit option after 5 years, allowed on interest payment dates	Capital gains exempt — no tax on redemption value
Premature Sale (before maturity)	Sale after 5 years (through exchange)	Long-term gains taxed at 20% with indexation and 4% cess and surcharge
Sale within 3 years	Early exit before 3 years	Short-term gains taxed as per income slab

These are indeed the most tax-effective options for investment. They are backed by the government, and so there is an assurance that your money stays safe. Also, the taxation is similar to that of digital gold, with no worry about storage. 

Tax on Gold Mutual Funds and ETFs

Now, when it comes to the gold mutual fund taxation, it is important to note that the same rule applies to both MF and ETFs. Also, this is quite similar to the SGBs. So, here is what you need to know about the taxation on gold mutual funds and ETFs:

Holding Period	Type of Gain	Tax Treatment
Less than 3 years	Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG)	Gains are taxed as per the investor’s income tax slab.
3 years or more	Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG)	Taxed at 20% with indexation benefit, as per gold fund taxation rules. There is 4% cess too.

While the gold fund taxation is the same as the SGBs and physical gold, these are linked to markets. At times, these can be the underlying assets working with some other stocks that can offer you deeper benefits. 

Read Also: Sovereign Gold Bonds vs. Gold ETF: Which is a Better Investment?

Tax on Gold Derivatives (Futures & Options)

Gold derivatives, such as futures and options, are widely used for trading and hedging. Their taxation is very different from physical or fund-based gold. The returns are treated as business income, but investors can also opt for the presumptive taxation scheme under Section 44AD.

Condition	Tax Treatment
Turnover less than ₹2 crore (Section 44AD)	6% (digital) / 8% (cash) of turnover is considered taxable income. No need to maintain detailed books of accounts.
Turnover between ₹2 crore – ₹3 crore	Eligible for presumptive schemes if digital transactions (>95%) are used. Tax limited to 6% of turnover.
Turnover above ₹3 crore	Normal business income rules apply. Profits taxed as per slab rate.

In derivatives, annual turnover = total of all profits and losses from each trade. By declaring 6% of this turnover as taxable income under presumptive taxation, investors can reduce compliance burden while keeping tax outgo predictable.

Taxation on Gold Received as a Gift or Inheritance

Gold given as a gift or inherited is common in India, but it carries certain tax rules:

• Gifts from Relatives: Exempt from tax when received from parents, siblings, children, or other specified relatives.
• Gifts from Non-Relatives: Taxable as “income from other sources” if the total value exceeds ₹50,000 in a financial year.
• Sale of Gifted Gold: Normal tax on gold rules apply. STCG if sold within 3 years, LTCG at 20% with indexation if held longer.
• Inheritance: Receiving gold from a relative is tax-free. On selling, capital gains tax applies, and the original owner’s acquisition date is considered for holding period.

Conclusion

Gold is timeless, but taxes shape real returns. From SGB exemptions to gold mutual fund taxation with indexation, every option is unique. If you want pure tax savings, SGBs shine; if flexibility matters, ETFs and mutual funds work best. 

Physical and digital gold carry upfront costs, while derivatives are business-like. Knowing the tax on gold helps you pick wisely because the smartest gold investment is not just about buying, but about keeping more in your pocket.

And if you need assistance, connect with the experts at Pocketful today.

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