Capital Gains Tax Calculator (Australia)
Calculate how much Capital Gains Tax (CGT) you may owe when selling shares, ETFs, or investment property. Enter your purchase and sale details to see the capital gain, any applicable discount, and the additional tax payable.
Australian residents who hold an asset for at least 12 months can apply the 50% CGT discount, meaning only half of the capital gain is added to their taxable income. This calculator shows both the gross and net (after discount) capital gain.
Note: This calculator uses 2024-25 tax rates and is for Australian residents.
2024-25 Capital Gains Tax rates
Enter your asset details and other income to calculate CGT
How CGT works
Capital Gains Tax is not a separate tax in Australia. Instead, when you sell an asset for more than you paid, the profit (capital gain) is added to your assessable income for that financial year. The gain is then taxed at your marginal tax rate.
For example, if you have a taxable income of $90,000 and make a $20,000 capital gain on shares held for more than 12 months, the 50% discount reduces the gain to $10,000. Your taxable income becomes $100,000, and you pay extra tax on that additional $10,000 at your marginal rate.
This calculator compares your tax position before and after the capital gain, showing exactly how much additional tax you'll pay as a result of the asset sale.
What does this calculator include?
- Capital gain calculation (sale price minus purchase price and costs)
- 50% CGT discount for assets held 12 months or longer
- Incidental costs (brokerage, stamp duty, legal fees)
- Capital improvements (for investment property)
- Main residence (PPOR) exemption for properties
- Partial exemption with time-based calculation
- 6-year absence rule for rental periods
- Tax comparison showing income tax and Medicare levy before and after the sale
- Additional tax payable from the capital gain
What does this calculator not include?
- Multiple PPOR properties simultaneously
- Building period rules (4-year construction)
- Trust or company CGT rules - different rates and rules apply
- Capital loss carry-forward - losses from previous years are not applied
- Foreign resident CGT rules - withholding tax and different rates apply
- Inflation indexation method (pre-1999 assets)
- Small business CGT concessions
This is a simplified estimate. Your actual CGT outcome may differ based on your individual circumstances and any other capital gains or losses in the same financial year.
FAQ
What is Capital Gains Tax (CGT)?
CGT is a tax on the profit you make when selling an asset. In Australia, CGT is not a separate tax - the capital gain is added to your assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate.
What is the 50% CGT discount?
Australian residents who hold an asset for at least 12 months before selling can reduce their capital gain by 50%. This means only half of the gain is added to your taxable income.
How do I calculate my capital gain?
Capital gain = Sale price - Purchase price - Incidental costs - Capital improvements. Incidental costs include brokerage, stamp duty, and legal fees.
What happens if I make a capital loss?
Capital losses can only be used to offset capital gains, not other income. You can carry forward unused capital losses to future years. This calculator does not model loss carry-forward.
Do I pay CGT on my main residence (PPOR)?
Generally no. If the property was your main residence for the entire time you owned it, the full capital gain is exempt from CGT. This is called the main residence exemption or PPOR exemption.
What if I lived in the property for only part of the time?
You may be entitled to a partial exemption. The exempt portion is calculated based on the time the property was your main residence compared to the total time you owned it.
What is the 6-year absence rule?
If you move out of your main residence and rent it out, you can treat it as your main residence for CGT purposes for up to 6 years, even while renting it out. This is called the 6-year absence rule. You can only claim this for one property at a time.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates only and does not constitute financial advice. Capital gains tax can be complex, and the actual tax outcomes may vary based on your individual circumstances, other capital gains or losses, and current tax legislation.
Before making decisions about selling assets, consult a registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser to understand how CGT applies to your specific situation.