LS passes Finance Bill 2018; unlisted stocks to get indexation benefits

Finance Bill passed by Lok Sabha without debate; relief for start-ups, PPF holders

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Finance Bill 2018, allowing the benefit of inflation adjustments to stocks that were unlisted till January 31 while levying long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax. 

The move might provide tax benefits to shareholders of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), others who have invested in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), and in certain merger and acquisition cases. 

The Bill retained the LTCG tax without removing the securities transaction tax (STT) and the indexation benefits provided to all shares.

The amendments to the Bill also provided relief to start-ups and immunity to the holders of public