Demat and Trading Accounts - Types of Charges Applicable and How to Save on Those

Any individual who wishes to invest in shares must have a Demat and trading account opened. However, the problem is that these accounts are associated with some fees that can be costly if not well managed. From account opening expenses and annual maintenance costs to transaction charges, it is essential to comprehend these costs. In this article, we explained each type of charge related to Demat and trading accounts and gave valuable advice on how one can reduce them.

Demat and Trading Accounts Explained

Dematerialised account is what is referred to as Demat account where securities get held and managed electronically thereby eliminating physical certificates. For anyone investing in the stock market, Demat account is mandatory as it holds shares and enables smooth and secure transfer of shares.

On the flip side, a trading account purchases and sells securities effectively serving as intermediary between an investor’s bank account and Demat account.

Collectively, these accounts ease trading processes and investment management, thus enhancing efficiency and investor access.

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Types of Charges Applicable on Demat Account

Investors usually open their Demat accounts through depository participants who are associated with either NSDL, CDSL or even both. Operating a Demat account involves several costs.

Charges for Opening Demat Account

The depository participant (DP) levy the fee called demat account opening charge during setting up an account. Most DPs does not charge any amount whereas some brokers will ask you to pay ₹300-₹900 as a one-time opening fee.

  • Demat Account Maintenance Charges (AMC)

    Depository participants usually impose certain charges on their clients as cost recovery mechanisms since they offer continuous services, unlike one-time fees paid at the entry point, i.e., while establishing these accounts.
  • Charges Per Demat Transaction

    Whenever you buy or sell shares, your DP adds them to your demat account or removes them from it. In accordance with trade volume, some DPs bill these fees either as a flat fee per transaction or on a monthly basis.
  • Demate Custodian Fees

    A custodian fee, also known as a safety charge, is a one-time payment made by DPs to the depository. Usually, depository participants recover this charge from investors. The custodian fee is levied monthly and varies with the ISIN associated with the securities in your account.

Types of Charges Applicable on Trading Account

Several charges are applicable when one is trading through a brokerage account. Here are some common fees and charges you might encounter:

  • Brokerage Charges

    These are the fees charged by a broker for executing trades. Full-service brokers generally take a percentage of the deal (0.03% - 0.60%), while discount brokers will have a fixed rate for each transaction, say ₹10 or ₹20.
  • Securities Transaction Tax (STT)

    This tax is levied on the transaction value of securities traded on the stock exchanges. The rate varies depending on trade types, e.g., 0.1% equity delivery and 0.025% intraday sell.
  • Transaction Charges

    These are costs paid to stock exchanges as they enable them to handle trading activities. Exchange rates may vary from each other, e.g., NSE: 0.00322%, BSE: 0.00375%.
  • Goods and Services Tax (GST)

    GST is levied on brokerage, SEBI charges and transaction charges at a rate of 18%.
  • SEBI Charges

    The fee charged by the SEBI for regulating the securities market is typically ₹10 per crore.
  • Stamp Duty

    A tax imposed on transferring securities; this can be either equity or debt instruments with different rates, such as 0.015% on equity delivery.
  • Depository Participant (DP) Charges

    Depositories charge these fees in order to hold securities electronically and transfer them accordingly.

How to Save the Charges in a Demat and Trading Account?

To save the charges in your demat and trading account, you may want to consider going with a discount broker. Discount brokers often charge lower brokerage rates than full-service brokers, with flat charges per transaction being typical. This can result in substantial reductions in overall trading costs, especially if you are an active trader. In addition, look out for brokers like Bigul who do not charge for equity delivery trades because it can save you money on long-term investments.

The number of transactions should also be reduced as another measure of reducing these charges since every trade has its own STT, transaction charge and GST among others. By adopting a long-term investment strategy and reducing the frequency of trades, you can lower these costs.

Hidden charges such as account maintenance fees and DP charges must not be ignored too. Always review your broker’s fee structure regularly while considering switching to one with more transparent and cheaper fees whenever appropriate.

Conclusion

Being aware of various fees related to Demat and trading accounts can aid smarter financial decision-making, leading to money savings by choosing the right brokerage firm that negotiates for low commission rates or remains updated on promotions so as to manage costs properly. Remember, each saving counts, even if it is small, towards maximising your returns from investments. For a hassle-free trading experience with competitive rates, consider Bigul Trading Platform.


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