Gold is more than a precious metal in India—it’s woven into cultural traditions, religious ceremonies, and personal investments. With gold often stored in households as jewellery or coins, pledging it to secure a loan is a practical way to meet financial needs. Understanding how does gold loan work can help borrowers make informed decisions while unlocking the value of their gold assets. This article will outline the basics of borrowing with gold loans, discuss their advantages, and explain whether you can show gold loans in income tax filings.
How does gold loan work?
A gold loan is a secured loan where the borrower pledges gold jewellery or coins as collateral to receive funds. The lender assesses the weight and purity of the gold to determine its market value and provides a loan amount based on a percentage of that value, known as the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. Here’s a step-by-step outline of how does gold loan work:
- Eligibility and application
- The borrower should possess gold jewellery or coins with a minimum purity of 18 karats.
- Basic identification and address documents are required for verification.
- Gold evaluation
- The lender assesses the gold’s weight and purity to determine its value.
- Based on the current market rate and the LTV ratio (typically up to 75%), the lender determines the maximum loan amount.
- Loan disbursement
- Once the application is approved, the loan amount is disbursed via bank transfer, cheque, or cash up to a specific limit.
- The disbursed amount is usually up to 75% of the pledged gold’s value, following RBI guidelines.
- Repayment options
- Borrowers can choose repayment tenures ranging from a few months to several years.
- Repayment can be done through bullet payments (a single lump sum) or equated monthly instalments (EMIs).
- Some lenders offer flexible prepayment options to reduce the interest burden.
- Gold retrieval
- Once the loan is repaid in full, the borrower can reclaim their pledged gold from the lender.
Advantages of gold loans
- Quick processing: With minimal paperwork and gold as collateral, loans are processed quickly, often within hours or a day.
- Lower interest rates: Due to the secured nature of the loan, lenders offer competitive interest rates, reducing the financial burden compared to unsecured loans.
- Flexible tenures: Borrowers can choose repayment schedules that align with their cash flow and financial capabilities.
- Retain gold ownership: Proper management ensures that borrowers can reclaim their gold after the loan is repaid.
Can we show a gold loan in income tax filings?
Gold loans are not considered income, and thus the loan amount itself is not taxable or required to be shown in income tax filings. However, it’s important to keep the following points in mind that how can we show gold loan in income tax:
- Interest payments
- The interest paid on a gold loan is not deductible under Section 24(b) or other provisions of the Income Tax Act unless the loan was used for specific purposes like purchasing or renovating a property.
- Capital gains
- If the pledged gold is eventually sold by the lender due to non-repayment, the sale proceeds might attract capital gains tax if there is a gain.
- In such cases, the borrower would be required to report this transaction in their income tax filings.
- Business expenses
- If the gold loan was taken to finance business activities, interest expenses may be deductible as a business expense.
- This deduction is subject to specific conditions laid out by the Income Tax Department and should be supported by proper documentation.
Tips for managing gold loans responsibly
- Evaluate your needs: Understand your exact funding requirements and borrow only what is necessary to avoid overleveraging.
- Compare lenders: Different lenders offer varying interest rates, fees, and repayment terms. You should ideally compare lenders of various profiles, including large and trusted organisations such as Bajaj Finance. Choose one that best aligns with your needs.
- Plan repayment carefully: Select a repayment schedule that suits your financial capacity and cash flow patterns.
- Maintain communication with the lender: If you anticipate difficulty in repayment, inform your lender immediately and explore restructuring options to avoid penalties.
- Prepay when possible: If your lender allows prepayment without penalties, use surplus funds to reduce your principal and save on interest.
Conclusion
Gold loans are a practical and flexible financial tool, providing quick access to funds while preserving the long-term value of gold assets. Understanding how gold loans work, carefully evaluating your needs, and selecting the right lender will help you make the most of this financing option. While the loan itself isn’t taxable, it’s important to understand the implications of interest payments and potential capital gains. By managing gold loans responsibly and considering their tax implications, you can efficiently leverage your gold assets to meet urgent or planned financial needs.