Every stock or F&O trade in India incurs several charges beyond just the price of shares — brokerage, STT, exchange transaction charges, GST, SEBI charges, and stamp duty. Missing even one of these can significantly impact your actual profit or loss. Our brokerage calculator gives you a complete breakdown of all trading costs so you know your true P&L before placing an order.
Charges Included in Every Trade
A typical equity delivery trade includes: Brokerage (flat fee or 0.1–0.5% of trade value), Securities Transaction Tax — STT (0.1% on both buy and sell for delivery), Exchange Transaction Charge (~0.00297% for NSE equity), GST (18% on brokerage + exchange charges), SEBI Turnover Fee (revised Oct 2024: ₹10 per crore for equity; ₹1 per crore for F&O — significantly reduced from the earlier ₹10/crore flat rate), and Stamp Duty (0.015% on buy for delivery). For intraday and F&O trades, STT rates differ — always use a calculator to avoid surprises.
How Discount Brokers Changed Trading Costs
Traditional full-service brokers charged 0.3–0.5% brokerage each way. Discount brokers like Zerodha, Upstox, and Angel One charge a flat ₹20 per order regardless of trade size. For large trades, this can save thousands of rupees. Our calculator lets you choose your brokerage model for an accurate cost estimate.
Impact of Charges on Short-Term Trading
For intraday traders, charges eat into profits significantly. If STT, exchange charges, and GST add up to 0.1% per trade, a trader needs the stock to move at least 0.1% just to break even. This is why intraday trading requires a clear edge and sound money management — the house always takes a cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is STT in share trading?
Securities Transaction Tax (STT) is a government tax on stock market transactions. For delivery trades: 0.1% on both buy and sell. For intraday: 0.025% on sell only. For F&O futures: 0.0125% on sell; options: 0.0625% on sell premium.
Is brokerage charged on both buy and sell?
Yes. Brokerage is charged on every executed order. For a round trip (buy + sell), you pay brokerage twice — once when buying and once when selling.
How is GST charged on brokerage?
GST at 18% is applied on the total of brokerage + exchange transaction charges. It is NOT charged on the total trade value.
What is the difference between NSE and BSE charges?
NSE charges ~0.00335% for equity; BSE charges ~0.00375%. The difference is small for retail traders but adds up for high-frequency or large-volume trades.
Can brokerage charges be claimed as a business expense?
Yes. If you declare trading income as business income — applicable for F&O traders and active intraday traders — all brokerage and transaction charges are deductible as business expenses.