Is Sip Tax Free

Is SIP Tax Free?

SIP guarantees disciplined investing. It relieves investors of the burden of timing by enabling them to profit from market ups and downs.

Written by : Anamika Arora

Reviewed by : Jasmeet Bedi

Jasmeet Bedi

2024-08-08

360 Views

9 minutes read

A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), commonly referred to as SIP, is one of the facilities offered by mutual funds to investors to invest in a disciplined manner. That is the best way of building wealth in a safe and disciplined manner. Here, the investors are allowed to invest a fixed amount of money at predefined intervals in the mutual fund scheme preferred by the investor.

Dissimilar to a lump sum investment, you spread your investment over a long period with a SIP. The minimum fixed amount of money is ₹500. The predefined intervals can be weekly/monthly, or annually. Hence, you do not have to have a lot of cash to begin with your mutual fund investment through SIPs.

Is SIP Tax-free?

Since a big number of SIP investors are first-time investors and start with comparatively lesser amounts, they often stumble on the question, is SIP tax-free? If an investor invests through SIPs in equity funds or balanced mutual fund schemes, all the gains made after one year will be considered long-term capital gains that will be completely tax-free. For example, an investor invested ₹10 Lakhs and profited ₹20 Lakhs for ten years. Then, the entire redemption amount, ₹30 Lakhs, will be tax-free.

Therefore, the best sip tax benefit is simply that the investor does not need to pay any taxes. So, yes, SIP investments are tax-free, but there are certain limitations to it. It is extensively explained below.

How Does SIP Work?

Each time you invest in a mutual fund scheme through a SIP, you buy a specific number of fund units similar to the sum you invested. You do not have to time the markets while investing through a SIP, as you profit from bullish and bearish market patterns.

When the markets are surging, you purchase fewer fund units while purchasing more fund units when the market is down. As the Net Asset Value (NAV) of all mutual funds is updated daily, the purchase cost might vary from one instalment to another. With time, the cost of purchase averages out and ends up being on the lower side. This is called rupee cost averaging.

Must Read - How to Invest Money?

Why Should You Invest in SIP?

The SIP concept focuses on the philosophy “Save first, Spend next”. Instead of making a one-time investment, SIP allows you to invest small amounts at fixed intervals. The first-time mutual fund investor may consider beginning their mutual fund by starting a SIP. That is ideal for those having a standard type of revenue, like a salary.

You can redirect a part of your salary towards mutual funds by starting a SIP. That assists you with imparting a feeling of monetary control over the long run as you will be compelled to save a total at particular stretches.

  1. You can start investing in mutual funds through SIP with just ₹500. You can increase your monthly SIPs whenever you want.
  2. When you invest through a SIP in the equity market, you will buy fewer units when the market is surging and more units when the market is down.
  3. Rupee cost averaging results when you stagger your investments over an extensive stretch. This guarantees substantially more returns than a lump-sum investment.
  4. You can stop your SIP at any time. Also, it is possible to redeem your funds at any time when there is no lock-in period.
  5. Investing through a SIP will make you disciplined while managing your finances.

Benefits of Compounding

When you invest routinely through SIP and invest as long as possible, the advantages are amplified by the compounding effect. The compounding effect guarantees you acquire returns on your principal amount (actual investment).

Yet, in addition, gains on the principal amount develop over the long term as the cash you invested earns returns. Furthermore, the returns acquire returns.

Did You Know?

A 10-year early start into SIP investment can result in an ultimate retirement corpus that is enhanced by ₹2.1 crore.

- SBI MF

Claim Settlement Ratio

SIP vs One-time Investment 
 

SIP InvestmentOne-time Investment
Periodic investmentsOne-time investment 
Protects investments from a market crashLeads to more loss during a market crash
Earns more when the market is at a lowEarns high when the market is high 

When is the Right Time to Start Investing in a SIP?

Anytime is a good time to start investing in a SIP. You can start it at any time. It does not matter if Sensex is 25,000 or 39,000 if you want to invest in equity mutual funds through SIP.

It is prime to invest in the long-term, which means that you must start investing early to maximise the end returns. So you must follow the philosophy - Start Early and invest regularly to get the best out of your investments.

Hence, ELSS (equity-linked savings scheme) investments through SIPs are some of the best tax-saving investments. SIPs come with many tax-free benefits and have been gaining popularity among Indian mutual fund investors.

It allows an investor to invest in a disciplined manner without worrying about market volatility and timing the market. You can claim a tax rebate of up to ₹1,50,000 and save up to ₹46,800 a year in SIP. It is recommended for investors who are investing in mutual funds for the first time.

It is advisable to be clear about your financial goals while choosing your SIP scheme so that, along with your SIP income tax benefits, you can achieve your desired returns.

Regardless of age, this is the ideal time to begin your SIP. The more substantial your wealth building might be, the earlier you start. For financial discipline and the advantages of Rupee Cost Averaging, think about starting your SIP at the beginning of each month. Ensure you get a steady enough income to invest comfortably in an SIP. Furthermore, there are great chances to begin your investment path when you receive a lump sum payment or celebrate a particular anniversary. Finally, setting specific financial objectives will help to motivate and guide your SIP. It's important to remember that starting now will put you on the correct track towards reaching your financial goals. Here are a few things to keep in mind when starting SIP investment:

  1. Start Early: Regardless of age, the best time to begin your SIP is now. The earlier you start, the more substantial your wealth building might be.

  2. Time Advantage: SIP investments benefit from the power of compounding. The longer your investment horizon, the greater your potential returns.

  3. Financial Discipline: Consider starting your SIP at the beginning of each month to instil financial discipline.

  4. Steady Income: Ensure you have a steady enough income to comfortably contribute to your SIP regularly.

  5. Special Occasions: Utilise lump sum payments or special occasions, like anniversaries, to kick start or boost your SIP investments.

  6. Financial Goals: Setting specific financial objectives will guide and motivate your SIP journey.

  7. Act Now: Starting now puts you on the right track towards achieving your financial goals through systematic investing.

Final Words

Systematic Investment Plans have become a popular choice for long-term wealth creation and tax savings. They offer the advantage of rupee-cost averaging, disciplined investing, and flexibility in monthly/quarterly contributions. While SIPs are not entirely tax-free, they can provide significant tax benefits through Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. 

SIPs in ELSS allow investors to claim a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh per year, potentially saving them substantial taxes depending on their income tax slab. Additionally, SIPs promote early tax planning, which is essential for maximising tax savings and wealth creation. By incorporating SIPs into your financial strategy, you can not only boost your investment returns but also benefit from tax savings, making them a valuable tool for long-term financial planning.

Glossary

  • Mutual Funds: A mutual fund pools contributions from many participants to invest in securities like stocks, bonds, and debt.

  • Market Volatility: Daily stock market fluctuations encompassing significant and minor changes.

  • Bullish and Bearish Markets: A bull market is marked by rising prices, while a bear market sees falling prices and contraction.

  • Rupee Cost Averaging (RCA): RCA involves regular, fixed-amount investments regardless of market conditions, akin to a SIP.
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FAQs on Is SIP Tax Free

Gains from SIPs that are redeemed in less than a year are subject to a 15% flat tax rate, plus a cess and fee. The same 15% tax rate applies to these gains regardless of your income tax level.

Yes, for SIP tax purposes, every instalment of the SIP is regarded as a separate investment with a unique holding period. Many investors wonder SIP comes under which section. SIP is classified as an Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) under the EEE (Exempt, Exempt, Exempt) category.

Both SIP and lumpsum investments offer tax benefits, but the specifics depend on the type of mutual fund and the investor's tax bracket. For SIPs, the investment is spread over time, which reduces the impact of market fluctuations and allows for a more consistent return. This can result in lower tax liabilities due to the lower average cost of the investments. Lumpsum investments, on the other hand, can also provide tax benefits if the investor invests in tax-efficient funds, such as debt funds

Although investments made in Equity Linked Saving Scheme (ELSS) mutual funds are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, the SIP itself is not tax-free. Deductions are allowed up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year. 

Under Section 80C, each SIP instalment that is made is eligible for a tax deduction. One of the best SIP investment tax benefits is that you can save up to ₹46,800 in taxes annually and receive a tax refund of up to ₹1,50,000.

A strategic approach is necessary when investing for the long term, and in the current Indian financial environment, a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) designed with a 20-year horizon is a wise decision. For individuals wishing to build money over time, investing in the best SIP plans for 20 Years in India can be an excellent decision. Looking for which sip is best for 20 years? Here is the list:

  • Kotak Bluechip Fund
  • Canara Robeco Bluechip Equity Fund
  • ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund
  • Nippon India Large Cap Fund
  • HDFC Flexi Cap Fund