How to File Your Tax Return for Unlisted Shares
Capital gains from unlisted shares are reported in your annual income tax return. This chapter covers which form to use, where to report the gains, what documents to keep, and the key dates to track.
Which ITR Form to Use
Your Situation | Correct ITR Form |
Salaried with unlisted share capital gains | ITR-2 |
Business income with unlisted share capital gains | ITR-3 |
Only capital gains, no salary or business income | ITR-2 |
Currently filing ITR-1 | Switch to ITR-2 — ITR-1 does not support capital gains from securities |
Where to Report Gains in the ITR
Capital gains from unlisted shares are reported under Schedule CG (Capital Gains) in ITR-2 or ITR-3.
Type of Gain | Section in Schedule CG |
STCG on unlisted shares | Short-Term Capital Gains — assets other than listed equity |
LTCG on unlisted shares (12.5%) | Long-Term Capital Gains — Section 112 (assets other than listed equity) |
LTCG after IPO listing (listed equity rules) | Long-Term Capital Gains — Section 112A |
Capital loss on unlisted shares | Same section as gains, entered as negative. Also report in Schedule CYLA for set-off. |
Documents to Keep
These documents establish your cost of acquisition and sale proceeds. Keep them for at least 7 years.
▢ | Contract note or transaction confirmation from the platform (purchase) |
▢ | Bank transfer receipt with UTR number (purchase payment) |
▢ | Demat account statement showing shares credited — establishes your acquisition date |
▢ | Contract note or confirmation for the sale |
▢ | Bank credit advice showing sale proceeds received |
▢ | Demat account statement showing shares debited — confirms sale date |
▢ | Stamp duty payment receipt for the sale transaction |
Check Your AIS Before Filing The Annual Information Statement (AIS) on incometax.gov.in aggregates your financial transactions. Download it before filing and cross-check that any unlisted transactions reported there match your own records. You must report all capital gains in your ITR regardless of whether they appear in the AIS. |
Advance Tax
If your total tax liability for the year exceeds Rs. 10,000, advance tax must be paid in quarterly instalments.
Instalment | Due Date |
15% of estimated annual tax | 15th June |
45% cumulative | 15th September |
75% cumulative | 15th December |
100% | 15th March |
If you sell a significant quantity of unlisted shares in a financial year, estimate your capital gains tax and factor it into your advance tax payments to avoid interest under Sections 234B and 234C.
ITR Filing Deadline
The standard deadline for individuals without audit is 31st July of the assessment year. Filing after this date is allowed up to 31st December but attracts a late fee of Rs. 5,000. More importantly, capital losses cannot be carried forward if the ITR is filed after the original due date.
Loss Set-Off and Carry Forward
If you make a capital loss on unlisted shares:
STCG losses can be set off against both STCG and LTCG from any asset.
LTCG losses can only be set off against LTCG.
Both can be carried forward for up to 8 assessment years.
Carry forward is only available if the ITR is filed by 31st July.
Schedule AL — Asset Disclosure
If your total income exceeds Rs. 50 lakh in a financial year, unlisted shares you hold must be disclosed in Schedule AL (Assets and Liabilities) at their cost of acquisition. This is a disclosure requirement, not an additional tax.
When to Consult a CA
A qualified Chartered Accountant familiar with capital markets taxation is useful when:
You have multiple transactions across different financial years.
You have both gains and losses to set off and carry forward.
You sold shares after IPO listing where listed equity rules now apply.
Your total income exceeds Rs. 50 lakh and Schedule AL is required.
Key Takeaways
File ITR-2 or ITR-3. Do not file ITR-1 if you have unlisted share capital gains.
Report gains in Schedule CG under the correct STCG or LTCG section.
Keep all purchase and sale documents for at least 7 years.
Check your AIS before filing and reconcile any transactions shown there.
Pay advance tax if total tax liability exceeds Rs. 10,000.
File by 31st July to preserve the right to carry forward capital losses.