What happens if the option contract is not squared off on the expiry date?
In-The-Money (ITM) Stock Options Contracts:
Settlement Method: Physically settled.
STT (Securities Transaction Tax): Charged on exercised contracts at a rate of 0.125% of the intrinsic value (how much in-the-money the option is), i.e., intrinsic value * quantity.
Brokerage: Charged on both the buy and sell sides.
Out-of-The-Money (OTM) Stock Options Contracts:
Outcome: Expire worthlessly.
Loss: The entire premium paid is lost.
Brokerage: Charged only on the buy side.
Index Options:
Settlement Method: Cash-settled.
If Bought:
ITM Contracts: STT is charged on exercised contracts at 0.125% of intrinsic value, and brokerage is charged on both sides.
OTM Contracts: Expire worthlessly, and brokerage is charged only on the buy side.
If Shorted or Sold:
STT: Charged only on the sell side when initiating the short.
STT Impact on Expiry: None.
Premiums: Received are kept by the trader, depending on the moneyness of the option contract.