CBDT raises cost inflation index to ease tax burden

The revised index applies to FY26, the corresponding assessment year 2026-27 and beyond

- Gireesh Chandra Prasad

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has revised a key metric used to calculate inflation-adjusted purchase price of assets, enabling sellers to claim greater tax relief on asset sales.

An official notification showed that the cost inflation index (CII), used to neutralize the impact of inflation on asset prices, has been raised to 376 from the earlier 363.

A higher index boosts the inflation-adjusted purchase price of an asset, thereby reducing the taxable capital gains. Capital gain is calculated as the difference between the sale price and the indexed purchase price, after factoring in the cost of improvements.

The revised index applies to the current financial year (FY26) and the corresponding assessment year 2026-27 and beyond.

The assessment year refers to the period in which income earned during the previous financial year is assessed and tax returns are filed.