The Government of India introduced CTT i.e. Commodity Transaction Tax under Budget 2013 to tax the transactions of commodities trading. This tax was levied to boost government financial revenues, promote transparency, and curb speculation in the commodities market. CTT was introduced in the Finance Act 2013 and was effective from 1st July 2013.
What is Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT)?
Commodity Transaction Tax i.e. CTT was introduced by the government to tax the trading of non-agricultural commodities. Initially, there was no tax on commodities trading. However, there was no difference between derivative trading in the securities market and derivative trading in the commodities market, only the underlying asset was different. Hence, CTT was introduced to equalize the trading rules for equity trading and commodities trading.
While Securities Transaction Tax i.e. STT is levied on securities trading, Commodities Transaction Tax i.e. CTT is levied on commodities trading.
Commodities on which CTT is levied
CTT is levied on the seller and buyer doing a commodity transaction through a futures contract. It is calculated on the trade price and depends upon the size of the contract.
In the case of agricultural commodities, CTT is exempt. In the case of non-agricultural commodities such as metals (copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminum, etc) and energy products (crude oil and natural gas), the CTT rate is the same as equity futures i.e. 0.01% of the trade price.
Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT) Rates
CBDT issued a notification with the CTT rates that MCX must charge on the transactions executed on the stock exchange. Below are the CTT Rates:
| Taxable Commodity Transaction | Charged on | CTT Rate | Payable By |
| Sale of a commodity derivative (except exempt agricultural commodities) | Trade Price | 0.01% | Seller |
| Sale of option on commodity derivative (option not exercised) | Option Premium | 0.05% | Seller |
| Sale of option on commodity derivative (option exercised) | Settlement Price | 0.0001% | Purchaser |
| Sale of option in goods, where option is exercised resulting in a settlement otherwise than by the actual delivery of goods | Settlement Price | 0.125% | Purchaser |
List of Agricultural Commodities Exempt from CTT
Tax Implications on CTT Paid on Commodity Trading
Commodities Trading is considered to be a Non-Speculative Business Income. Thus, a commodities trader must file ITR-3 to report such business income and pay income tax at slab rates. Further, as per the Budget Speech, trading in commodity derivatives is not a speculative transaction and the trader can claim CTT as a valid business expense.
CTT paid on trading transactions is a direct expense related to trading income. The trader can report it as an expense in the P&L Account while filing ITR-3 on the Income Tax Website.
FAQs
STT i.e. Securities Transaction Tax is levied on trading in equity, equity derivatives, and mutual funds. CTT i.e. Commodity Transaction Tax is levied on trading in commodity derivatives. While CTT is levied on the sell value of the transaction, STT in some cases is applicable on both the buy and sell value of the transaction.
Commodity Transaction Tax i.e. CTT is levied on non-agricultural commodity trading. Agricultural commodity trading is exempt from CTT. CTT at 0.01% is levied on the sell value of trade in the case of futures trading. CTT at 0.05% is levied on the sell value of trade in the case of options trading.
The buyer or seller is liable to pay CTT to the broker on the commodity trading transactions. The broker deposits the same with MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange) which is an exchange for commodities trading.
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