What is Cost Inflation Index (CII)?

Cost Inflation Index(CII) is a measure of inflation that is used for computing long-term capital gains on sale of capital assets. It comes under Section 48 of the Income-Tax Act, defines the index as what is notified by the Central Government every year, having regard to 75 per cent of average rise in the consumer price index (CPI) for urban non-manual employees for the immediately preceding previous year. Therefore, if we consider that price of a capital asset has risen in tandem with base price rise, then if one want to sell an asset and replace it, the cost allowed even after indexation will be lesser than the price payable for new asset. However, in case of many capital asset the price rise is lesser than market price and in many cases it is higher.

CII is a figure that is announced by the tax authorities each year that represents the impact of the inflation in the economy. This is a figure that will determine the extent of the benefit that the individual will receive on their investments when they sell them and a capital gains tax has to be paid on it. The manner in which this works is that the CII is used to increase the cost on the investment based on the year of purchase and the year of sale

How does CII help in capital gains computation? Capital gain, as you know, arises when the net sale consideration of a capital asset is more than the cost. Since “cost of acquisition” is historical, the concept of indexed cost allows the taxpayer to factor in the impact of inflation on cost. Consequently, a lower amount of capital gains gets to be taxed than if historical cost had been considered in the computations.

Cost Inflation Index Chart:

Cost inflation index table is as follows:

Financial Year Cost Inflation Index
Before 1/4/1981 100
1981-82 100
1982-83 109
1983-84 116
1984-85 125
1985-86 133
1986-87 140
1987-88 150
1988-89 161
1989-90 172
1990-91 182
1991-92 199
1992-93 223
1993-94 244
1994-95 259
1995-96 281
1996-97 305
1997-98 331
1998-99 351
1999-00 389
2000-01 406
2001-02 426
2002-03 447
2003-04 463
2004-05 480
2005-06 497
2006-07 519
2007-08 551
2008-09 582
2009-10 632
2010-11 711
2011-12 785
2012-13 852
2013-14 939
2014-15 1024
2015-16 1081
2016-17 1125
2017-18

2 Thoughts on “Cost of Inflation Index”

  • Very informative and thank you.I want an example to actually calculate IT on Long term capital gains.

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