The tax treatment of your investment depends on how long you hold it.
If US stocks or ETFs are sold within 24 months of purchase, any gains are treated as Short-Term Capital Gains and taxed according to your applicable income tax slab.
If investments are held for 24 months or more, gains are classified as Long-Term Capital Gains and taxed at 12.5%, along with applicable surcharge and cess.
A long-term approach not only supports wealth creation but may also offer more favorable tax treatment.

20% Tax Collected at Source (TCS) may apply when funds are remitted overseas beyond prescribed limits under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). TCS is not an additional tax or investment cost. The amount collected is reflected against your PAN and can be adjusted against your tax liability or claimed as a refund while filing your Income Tax Return
Example: If ₹1 lakh is collected as TCS on your overseas remittance and your final tax liability is ₹80,000, the excess ₹20,000 can be claimed as a refund while filing your Income Tax Return.Â
As an Indian resident, investments made in foreign securities must be disclosed while filing your Income Tax Return. This typically includes:
Foreign assets reported under applicable tax schedules Maintaining proper records can help ensure smooth and accurate tax reporting.
Many global companies reward shareholders by distributing a portion of their profits as dividends. Dividends received from US-listed companies may be subject to withholding tax in the United States before they are credited to your account. Under the India–US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), investors may claim credit for taxes already paid overseas, subject to applicable tax rules. This mechanism helps ensure that the same income is not taxed twice.