Tax Consultant
1470 Points
Posted on 10 July 2026
INDEXATION ON PROPERTY SALE AY 2026-27 - TWO DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF "NEW REGIME"
This question comes up often because there are TWO separate "new regime" concepts that apply to property sales, and they are often confused.
- BUDGET 2024 AMENDMENT (effective July 23, 2024 - applies to computation of capital gains):
For property acquired BEFORE July 23, 2024: You have a CHOICE when computing LTCG (holding period over 24 months):
- Option A: 20% tax WITH CII-based indexation (old method)
- Option B: 12.5% tax WITHOUT indexation
Pick whichever results in lower tax. Many older properties with high appreciation still benefit from the 20%+indexation route.
For property acquired ON OR AFTER July 23, 2024: No choice. Only 12.5% without indexation.
- SECTION 115BAC NEW TAX REGIME (the personal income tax slab regime):
If you have opted for the new tax slab regime under Section 115BAC, Section 54 and Section 54F exemptions (reinvestment in new residential property) and Section 54EC (investment in NHAI/REC bonds) are NOT available. These are Chapter VI-A / specific exemptions not applicable under the new regime.
So if you sold property and want to claim Section 54 exemption for reinvestment, you MUST be in the old tax regime for that year.
For a detailed breakdown of LTCG computation for property, the pre/post July 23, 2024 split, and Section 54 eligibility: [capital gains tax India LTCG STCG guide AY 2026-27](https://taxgarden.in/blog/capital-gains-tax-india-ltcg-stcg-ay-2026-27)