ITAT treats Flipkart ESOP buyback payout as long-term capital gains, not salary

The Bengaluru ITAT held that a Flipkart executive’s payout from repurchased, unexercised vested ESOPs should be taxed as long-term capital gains because no shares were allotted and no options were exercised.

— Filed Tue, 4 Aug, 2026, 23:30 IST · Source ET Small Business · Updated

Bengaluru ITAT ruled that Flipkart executive Pramod Kumar Jain’s payout from repurchased unexercised vested ESOPs is taxable as long-term capital gains, not salary perquisites, since no shares were allotted or options exercised.

Why this matters

The ruling adds a tax and legal development to Flipkart’s operating moves, following iPhone 16 discounting, planned Bengaluru food delivery, and Uttar Pradesh 126 Minutes expansion.

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