How to Buy Gold Bonds Scheme and Why should You Buy It

Gold is always a very attractive investment for Indian household. India is the biggest consumer of world’s gold. India imports significant amount of gold every year. During the festive season, rate of buying gold is also increases. Instead of buying physical gold for investment there are many options available in the market. The most attractive scheme which is launched by Government of India recently is Sovereign gold bonds scheme. Here we will discuss How to Buy Gold Bonds Scheme and Why should You Buy It

What is Gold Bonds Scheme?

The sovereign Gold Bonds is an investment scheme by which investors can invest into the gold without buying the physical gold. This scheme is linked with gold price. By introducing the gold bonds scheme, Government of India is trying to give the facility of investing in to the gold without having the physical gold which is actually difficult to maintain.

Moreover, it can be traded in the stock exchange which helps regular and easy trading of gold. It will also restrict the importing of gold from foreign countries in lieu of dollars. The bonds are issued by Reserve Bank of India on behalf of Government of India.

Benefits

  1. The minimum investment is started from 1 gram of gold.
  2. The gold bonds can be hold either in Demat account or in paper form.
  3. Bonds are of eight years tenure. However, you can exit at 5th, 6th and 7th year of tenure.
  4. Moreover, it can be traded in the stock exchanges. Those are having Demat and trading accounts can easily exit by selling in the stock exchanges.
  5. An interest of 2.5% per annum will be given per gram of gold payable half yearly. This interest is over and above the appreciated value of gold. This regular income is a significant advantageous than the physical or gold ETF.
  6. Bonds can be used as loan security like physical gold.
  7. If you redeem the gold bond, the capital gain tax is exempted. If the bond has been transferred, long term capital gain tax to be calculated considering the indexation benefit.
  8. On top of that you don’t have a risk of theft or loss of physical gold.
  9. The bonds are in denomination of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100 grams of gold or other denominations.
  10. Part holdings can be redeemed in multiples of one gm.

Also Read: Should You Invest in Bharat 22 ETF?

How to buy Gold Bonds Scheme?

You can buy sovereign gold bonds from the commercial banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices. You can buy it through BSE and NSE also.

For example you want to buy the bonds through SBI, fill up the form and approach to any branch of State Bank of India.

You can also buy the gold bonds through your Demat and Trading account.

Also Read: Top 5 Things to Do This Diwali for Your Finance

Disadvantages

This is very good product who are interested in investing in the gold. This scheme does not have too many disadvantages except that investing on maximum 4 kgs of gold per year. The investment on gold of 4 Kgs per year is also on a very high side for a retail investor. This bond is for resident Indians. So the Non-resident Indians cannot invest in this gold bond.

The maximum limit is 4 kg for Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) and 20 kg for trusts and similar entities notified by the government from time to time per fiscal year (April – March).

Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme & Tax Implications

  • The interest on Gold Bonds is taxable. TDS is not applicable on the bond. However, bond holder to pay tax considering the income from interest.
  • If you redeem bonds within 36 months (3 years), you have to pay tax on STCG (Short Term Capital gains) which is as per your Income Tax slab i.e. 0 to 30%.
  • Long-term capital gains to any bond holder on sale or transfer of SGB is taxable and he or she is eligible for indexation benefits. You need to hold the Gold Bonds for at least three years to get the benefit of ‘Long Term Capital Asset’. The LTCG (Long Term Capital Gains) is taxed at 20% with indexation.
  • Gold bonds will be exempted from capital gains (LTCG) tax at the time of redemption. So, if you hold the bonds for at least five years and if you make any long-term capital gains when redeeming your gold bonds, there will be no capital gain taxes.

Also Read: How to calculate Capital Gains Tax for Stocks and Mutual Funds

Should You Invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme?

In my opinion, you should invest in the gold bonds scheme as it offers capital appreciation as well as 2.5% interest whereas GOLD ETF offers only capital appreciation. To maintain both, physical gold and Gold ETF, you have to spend some money, but in case of gold bond there is no maintenance charge.

Though Indians are fascinated about gold and specially during Diwali, in my view, one should not expose too much towards the investment in the yellow metal. Fix an allocation for gold such as 10% of total investment as per your requirement and stick with that while balancing your portfolio.

Also ReadStep by Step Guide – How Should a 25 Year Youth Invest in India

Highlights of Sovereign Gold Bonds Scheme 2020-21

The third tranche of the sovereign gold bonds scheme of FY 2020-21 is open for subscription from November 9 to November 13, 2020. The Government of India is giving a discount of Rs 50 per gram from Nominal Value who pay digitally and set the price at Rs 5177. The government has set the interest to 2.5% per year which will be paid semi-annually.

Share the article with the world. 🙂

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.