Partly paid shares are equity instruments for which only a portion of the total share price has been paid by you at the time of allotment. The company calls for the remaining payment in one or more installments over time. These shares offer a way to invest in a company with lower initial capital. However, you must be prepared to pay the balance amount whenever the company announces a call. You hold the same rights as other shareholders—such as voting and dividends—based on the paid-up portion of your shares. Understanding what are partly paid shares helps you assess whether they fit into your investment strategy, especially if you're managing your cash flow while participating in long-term equity growth.
How do partly paid shares work?
When you apply for partly paid shares during an issue, you don’t pay the full face value or premium immediately. Instead, you pay a portion upfront—known as the application money—and agree to pay the remaining amount in future instalments. These calls can be made at the company’s discretion and are communicated to you in advance.
Let’s say a share is priced at Rs.100. If the company issues it as a partly paid share with Rs.25 due at application and the rest payable in two instalments of Rs.35 and Rs.40, you commit to paying the full Rs.100 over time. Until you pay all call amounts, your shares are labelled as partly paid and are sometimes traded separately on the stock exchange.
If you fail to pay a call amount, the company may forfeit your shares. These instruments are commonly seen in rights issues, follow-on public offers, or strategic funding arrangements. For you, investing in partly paid shares means staggered payments—but also a commitment to honour future calls to retain your investment rights.
Advantages of investing in partly paid shares
Before buying, it helps to understand what partly paid shares bring to your portfolio. These shares offer flexibility in payments and potential participation in long-term value creation, especially if you're watching your cash flow closely.
You can invest with lower upfront capital
You don’t have to pay the entire amount immediately, which allows you to buy more shares with limited funds.
You get a longer payment window
The staggered call system gives you time to plan and arrange funds, making it easier to participate in large share issues.
You retain shareholder rights
Even as a partly paid shareholder, you may receive dividends and voting rights based on the amount paid up, depending on company policy.
You may benefit from appreciation
If the company performs well during the call period, your partly paid shares could appreciate, offering a gain even before you’ve paid in full.
Disadvantages of partly paid shares
While partly paid shares offer payment flexibility, they come with obligations and uncertainties. You need to know these drawbacks to make a balanced investment decision and avoid unexpected financial strain.
You’re bound to future payments
Once you subscribe, you must pay all future calls. Failure can lead to penalties or forfeiture of your shares.
You may face liquidity issues
Partly paid shares are not as liquid as fully paid ones. They trade separately and may not have active demand in the market.
You take on timing risk
If the market falls or the company underperforms before the final call, the investment value could drop even before you’ve paid in full.
You have tax complexities
Calculating gains and buy averages is more complex due to the staggered payments, which may also impact how you file taxes.
Partly paid shares vs. fully paid shares
When you invest in shares, knowing the difference between partly paid and fully paid shares can help you plan better. Both grant ownership, but they function quite differently.
Factor
| Partly paid shares
| Fully paid shares
|
Payment status
| You pay in instalments
| You pay the full amount upfront
|
Risk of forfeiture
| Yes, if calls are unpaid
| No forfeiture risk
|
Trading liquidity
| Lower due to fewer buyers
| Higher with active demand
|
Shareholder rights
| Limited until fully paid
| Full rights from allotment
|
Tax and accounting
| Complex, due to staggered payments
| Straightforward capital gain tracking
|
If you're choosing between the two, partly paid shares might suit you if you want to space out payments. Fully paid shares are simpler but require more capital upfront.
How to calculate buy average for partly paid shares
When you hold partly paid shares, calculating the average buy price isn’t as simple as taking a flat rate. You need to account for each payment made toward the share—starting from the application money to every subsequent call.
Let’s say you subscribed to 100 partly paid shares with Rs.30 paid on application. Later, you paid Rs.40 on the first call and Rs.30 on the final call. Your total outflow becomes Rs.100 per share. The buy average is calculated by summing all these amounts and dividing by the number of shares held.
This calculation becomes essential when you decide to sell these shares or need to declare them for tax purposes. Also, if any transaction charges or brokerage fees are involved during trading, they should be added to the cost. Keeping a record of each payment and date helps you determine capital gains accurately, especially when accounting for partly paid shares during filing season.
Conclusion
If you’re exploring equity investments that allow phased payments, partly paid shares might offer a strategic advantage. They give you a chance to invest without immediately parting with a large sum. Still, they come with future payment obligations and lower liquidity. Whether they suit your goals depends on your ability to manage calls and willingness to hold through payment stages. Knowing what are partly paid shares, how they’re taxed, and how they impact your portfolio helps you invest with clarity. Before buying, consider your cash flow, risk tolerance, and long-term investment plan.