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CGT events

How and when CGT is triggered, such as when an asset is sold, lost or destroyed.

Last updated 17 June 2024

What is a CGT event?

When you dispose of an asset that is subject to capital gains tax (CGT), it is called a CGT event. This is the point at which you make a capital gain or loss.

Common disposals that will trigger a CGT event include:

  • selling an asset
  • trading, exchanging or swapping assets
  • loss or destruction of an asset or creating contractual or other rights (this is known as an involuntary disposal).

The type of CGT event that applies to your situation may affect:

  • the time when the CGT event happens
  • how to calculate your capital gain or loss.

Watch: CGT events

Sale or disposal of asset

Selling or disposing of an asset will trigger a CGT event and you may have a capital gain or capital loss.

If there is a contract of sale, the CGT event happens when you enter into the contract. For example, if you sell a house, the CGT event happens on the date of the contract, not when you settle.

If there is no contract of sale, the CGT event is usually when you stop being the asset's owner. For example, if you sell shares, the CGT event happens on the date of sale.

Example: contract of sale

In June 2023, Sue entered into a contract to sell land she owned.

The contract settled in October 2023.

Sue made the capital gain in the 2022–23 income year (the year she entered into the contract), not the 2023–24 income year (the year settlement took place).

End of example

Your capital gain or loss for an asset is usually the selling price less the original cost and certain other costs associated with acquiring, holding and disposing of the asset. Find out how to calculate your CGT.

Loss, theft or destruction of asset

If your CGT asset is lost, stolen or destroyed:

  • the CGT event happens when you first receive compensation for the loss, theft or destruction
  • your capital gain is the amount of compensation less the asset’s original cost.

If you do not receive any compensation, the CGT event happens when the loss is discovered or the destruction occurred.

If you replace the asset with a similar asset, you may be able to defer (or 'roll over') your capital gain until another CGT event happens, such as selling the replacement asset. See Involuntary disposal of a CGT asset for more information.

Example: insurance policy

Laurie's rental property was destroyed by fire in June 2023.

He received compensation under an insurance policy in October 2023.

The CGT event happened in October 2023 when he received the compensation.

End of example

 

Example: no compensation or insurance policy

Christine owned a rental property that was damaged by floods in May 2023.

The local council deemed the property uninhabitable in August 2023. The property was demolished in November 2023 and Christine did not receive any compensation.

The CGT event happened in May 2023 when the damage happened.

End of example

All CGT events

All CGT events are listed below.

If more than one CGT event happens, you apply the rules for the one that best matches your situation.

For more information about the CGT events listed below see Division 104 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

Disposal (A)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

A1 – Disposal of a CGT asset

When the disposal contract is entered into or, if none, when the entity stops being the asset's owner

The capital proceeds from disposal less the asset's cost base

The asset's reduced cost base less the capital proceeds

Hire purchase and similar agreements (B)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

B1 – Use and enjoyment before title passes

When use of the CGT asset passes

The capital proceeds less the asset's cost base

The asset's reduced cost base less the capital proceeds

End of a CGT asset (C) – includes loss or destruction

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

C1 – Loss or destruction of a CGT asset

When compensation is first received or, if none, when the loss is discovered or destruction occurred

The capital proceeds less the asset's cost base

The asset's reduced cost base less the capital proceeds

C2 – Cancellation, surrender and similar endings

When the contract ending an asset is entered into or, if none, when an asset ends

The capital proceeds from the ending less the asset's cost base

The asset's reduced cost base less the capital proceeds

C3 – End of an option to acquire shares etc

When the option ends

The capital proceeds from granting the option less the expenditure in granting it

The expenditure in granting the option less the capital proceeds

Bringing a CGT asset into existence (D)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

D1 – Creating contractual or other rights

When the contract is entered into or the right is created

The capital proceeds from creating the right less the incidental costs of creating the right

The incidental costs of creating the right less the capital proceeds

D2 – Granting an option

When the option is granted

The capital proceeds from the grant less the expenditure to grant it

The expenditure to grant the option less the capital proceeds

D3 – Granting a right to income from mining

When the contract is entered into or, if none, when the right is granted

The capital proceeds from the grant of right less the expenditure to grant it

The expenditure to grant the right less the capital proceeds

D4 – Entering into a conservation covenant

When covenant is entered into

The capital proceeds from covenant less the cost base apportioned to the covenant

The reduced cost base apportioned to the covenant less the capital proceeds from covenant

Trusts (E)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

E1 – Creating a trust over a CGT asset

When the trust is created

Capital proceeds from creating the trust less the asset's cost base

The asset's reduced cost base less the capital proceeds

E2 – Transferring a CGT asset to a trust

When the asset is transferred

Capital proceeds from the transfer less the asset's cost base

The asset's reduced cost base less the capital proceeds

E3 – Converting a trust to a unit trust

When the trust is converted

Market value of the asset at that time less its cost base

The asset's reduced cost base less that market value

E4 – Capital payment for trust interest

When the trustee makes the payment

Non-assessable part of the payment less the cost base of the trust interest

No capital loss

E5 – Beneficiary becoming entitled to a trust asset

When the beneficiary becomes absolutely entitled

For a trustee: market value of the CGT asset at that time less its cost base

For a beneficiary: that market value less the cost base of the beneficiary's capital interest

For a trustee: the reduced cost base of the CGT asset at that time less that market value

For a beneficiary: the reduced cost base of the beneficiary's capital interest less that market value

E6 – Disposal to a beneficiary to end an income right

The time of the disposal

For a trustee: market value of the CGT asset at that time less its cost base

For a beneficiary: that market value less the cost base of the beneficiary's right to income

For a trustee: the reduced cost base of the CGT asset at that time less that market value

For a beneficiary: the reduced cost base of the beneficiary's right to income less that market value

E7 – Disposal to a beneficiary to end capital interest

The time of the disposal

For a trustee: market value of the CGT asset at that time less its cost base

For a beneficiary: that market value less the cost base of the beneficiary's capital interest

For a trustee: the reduced cost base of the CGT asset at that time less that market value

For a beneficiary: the reduced cost base of the beneficiary's capital interest less that market value

E8 – Disposal by a beneficiary of capital interest

When the disposal contract is entered into or, if none, when the beneficiary ceases to own the CGT asset

Capital proceeds less the appropriate proportion of the trust's net assets

The appropriate proportion of the trust's net assets less the capital proceeds

E9 – Creating a trust over future property

When the entity makes an agreement

Market value of the property (as if it existed when the agreement was made) less incidental costs in making the agreement

The incidental costs in making the agreement less the market value of the property (as if it existed when the agreement was made)

E10 – Annual cost base reduction exceeds cost base of interest in attribution managed investment trust

When the reduction happens

Excess of cost base reduction over cost base

No capital loss

Leases (F)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

F1 – Granting a lease

For granting a lease: when the entity enters into the lease contract or, if none, at the start of the lease

For a lease renewal or extension: at the start of the renewal or extension

Capital proceeds less the expenditure on grant, renewal or extension

Expenditure on grant, renewal or extension less the capital proceeds

F2 – Granting a long-term lease

For granting a lease: when the lessor grants the lease

For a lease renewal or extension: at the start of the renewal or extension

Capital proceeds from the grant, renewal or extension less the cost base of the leased property

Reduced cost base of the leased property less the capital proceeds from the grant, renewal or extension

F3 – Lessor pays lessee to get lease changed

When the lease term is varied or waived

No capital gain

Amount of expenditure to get lessee's agreement

F4 – Lessee receives payment for changing a lease

When the lease term is varied or waived

Capital proceeds less the cost base of lease

No capital loss

F5 – Lessor receives payment for changing a lease

When the lease term is varied or waived

Capital proceeds less expenditure in relation to variation or waiver

Expenditure in relation to variation or waiver less the capital proceeds

Shares (G)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

G1 – Capital payment for shares

When the company pays a non-assessable amount

Payment less the cost base of shares

No capital loss

G3 – Liquidator or administrator declares shares or financial instruments worthless

When declaration was made

No capital gain

Reduced cost base of shares or financial instruments

Special capital receipts (H)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

H1 – Forfeiture of a deposit

When the deposit is forfeited

Deposit less expenditure in connection with the prospective sale

Expenditure in connection with the prospective sale less deposit

H2 – Receipt for an event relating to a CGT asset

When the act, transaction or event occurred

Capital proceeds less the incidental costs

Incidental costs less the capital proceeds

Cessation of residency (I)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

I1 – Individual or company stops being an Australian resident

When the individual or company stops being an Australian resident

For each CGT asset the individual or company owns, its market value less its cost base

For each CGT asset the individual or company owns, its reduced cost base less its market value

I2 – Trust stops being a resident trust

When the trust ceases to be a resident trust for CGT purposes

For each CGT asset the trustee owns, its market value less its cost base

For each CGT asset the trustee owns, its reduced cost base less its market value

Rollovers (J)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

J1 – Company stops being a member of a wholly owned group after a rollover

When the company stops being a member of a wholly owned group after a rollover

Market value of the asset at the time of the event less its cost base

Reduced cost base of the asset less that market value

J2 – Change in relation to a replacement asset or improved asset after a rollover under Subdivision 152-E

When the change happens

The amount mentioned in subsection 104-185(5)

No capital loss

J4 – Trust failing to cease to exist after rollover under Subdivision 124-N

When the failure to cease to exist happens

For a company: market value of the asset at the time the company acquired it less its cost base at that time

For a shareholder: market value of the share at the time the shareholder acquired it less its cost base at that time

For a company: reduced cost base of the asset at the time the company acquired it less its market value at that time

For a shareholder: reduced cost base of the share at the time the shareholder acquired it less its market value at that time

J5 – Failure to acquire a replacement asset and to incur fourth element expenditure after a rollover under Subdivision 152­E

At the end of the replacement asset period

The amount of the capital gain that you disregarded under Subdivision 152­E

No capital loss

J6 – Cost of acquisition of replacement asset or amount of fourth element expenditure, or both, not sufficient to cover disregarded capital gain

At the end of the replacement asset period

The amount mentioned in subsection 104-198(3)

No capital loss

Other CGT events (K)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

K1 – As the result of an incoming international transfer of a Kyoto unit or an Australian carbon credit unit from your foreign account or your nominee's foreign account, you start to hold the unit as a registered emissions unit

When you start to hold the unit as a registered emissions unit

Market value of the unit less its cost base

Reduced cost base of the unit less its market value

K2 – Bankrupt pays an amount in relation to debt

When the payment is made

No capital gain

That part of the payment that relates to the denied part of a net capital loss

K3 – Asset passing to a tax-advantaged entity

When an individual dies

Market value of the asset at death less its cost base

Reduced cost base of the asset less that market value

K4 – CGT asset starts being trading stock

When the asset starts being trading stock

Market value of asset less its cost base

Reduced cost base of the asset less that market value

K5 – Special capital loss from a collectable that has fallen in market value

When CGT event A1, C2 or E8 happens to shares in the company, or an interest in the trust, that owns the collectable

No capital gain

Market value of the shares or interest (as if the collectable had not fallen in market value) less the capital proceeds from CGT event A1, C2 or E8

K6 – Pre-CGT shares or trust interest

When another CGT event involving the shares or interest happens

Capital proceeds from the shares or trust interest that are attributable to post-CGT assets owned by the company or trust, less the assets' cost bases

No capital loss

K7 – Balancing adjustment occurs for a depreciating asset that you used for purposes other than taxable purposes

When the balancing adjustment event occurs

Termination value less cost times fraction

Cost less termination value times fraction

K8 – Direct value shifts affecting your equity or loan interests in a company or trust

The decrease time for the interests

Capital gain worked out under section 725-365

No capital loss

K9 – Entitlement to receive payment of a carried interest

When you become entitled to receive the payment

Capital proceeds from the entitlement

No capital loss

K10 – You make a forex realisation gain as a result of forex realisation event 2 and item 1 of the table in subsection 775-70(1) applies

When the forex realisation event happens

Equal to the forex realisation gain

No capital loss

K11 – You make a forex realisation loss as a result of forex realisation event 2 and item 1 of the table in subsection 775-75(1) applies

When the forex realisation event happens

No capital gain

Equal to the forex realisation loss

K12 – Foreign hybrid loss exposure adjustment

Just before the end of the income year

No capital gain

The amount stated in subsection 104-270(3)

Consolidations (L)

CGT event

Time of event

Capital gain

Capital loss

L1 – Reduction under section 705-57 in tax cost setting amount of assets of entity becoming subsidiary member of consolidated group or multiple entry consolidated group

Just after entity becomes subsidiary member

No capital gain

Amount of reduction

L2 – Amount remaining after step 3A (of the table in section 705-60) of joining ‘allocable cost amount’ is negative

Just after entity becomes subsidiary member

Amount remaining

No capital loss

L3 – Tax cost setting amounts for retained cost base assets exceed joining ‘allocable cost amount’

Just after entity becomes subsidiary member

Amount of excess

No capital loss

L4 – No reset cost base assets against which to apply excess of net ‘allocable cost amount’ on joining

Just after entity becomes subsidiary member

No capital gain

Amount of excess

L5 – Amount remaining after step 4 (of the table in section 711-20) of leaving ‘allocable cost amount’ is negative

When entity ceases to be subsidiary member

Amount remaining

No capital loss

L6 – Error in calculation of tax cost setting amount for joining entity’s assets

Start of the income year when the Commissioner becomes aware of the errors

The net overstated amount resulting from the errors, or a portion of that amount

The net understated amount resulting from the errors, or a portion of that amount

L8 – Reduction in tax cost setting amount for reset cost base assets on joining cannot be allocated

Just after entity becomes a subsidiary member

No capital gain

Amount of reduction that cannot be allocated

 

How to roll over or defer your CGT liability when your asset is lost, destroyed or compulsorily acquired.

Find out when and how you can choose to roll over a capital gain, and how to get an extension of time.

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