How to obtain this publication
You can download Personal investors guide to capital gains tax 2020 (PDF 453KB)This link will download a file NAT 4152. Alternatively, you can get a printed copy of this publication:
- Use our automated self-help publications ordering serviceExternal Link at any time. You need to quote the full title 'Personal investors guide to capital gains tax 2020' to use this service.
- Phone our Publications Distribution Service on 1300 720 092. Before you phone, check whether you need other publications; this will save you time and help us. Use the full title for each publication you order. You can speak to an operator between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday.
About this guide
Personal investors guide to capital gains tax 2020 explains the capital gains tax (CGT) consequences of:
- the sale or gift (or other disposal) of shares or units
- the receipt of distributions of capital gains from managed funds
- the receipt of non-assessable payments from companies or managed funds.
Who should use this guide?
Use this guide if you are a personal investor who has made a capital gain or capital loss from shares, units or managed funds in 2019–20.
Who should NOT use this guide?
Do not use this guide if you:
- are an investor who is a foreign resident of Australia
- have gains or losses included as part of your income under other provisions of the tax law, for example, if you are carrying on a business of share trading. See Shareholding as investor or share trading as business?
- are a resident investor who
- had a period of non-residency after 8 May 2012
- had a CGT event that happened after 8 May 2012
- have a discount capital gain.
See also:
The guide does not explain more complex issues relating to shares (including employee shares), convertible notes and units. Nor does it apply to shares and units owned by companies, trusts and superannuation funds.
Also, this guide does not cover your CGT consequences when you sell other assets such as:
- a rental property
- collectables (for example, jewellery, art, antiques and collections)
- assets for personal use (for example, a boat you use for recreation).
For more information, see Guide to capital gains tax 2020.
Publications and services
To find out how to get a publication referred to in this guide and for information about our other services, see More information.
Unfamiliar terms
Some of the terms used in this guide may be new to you. Specific terms are in bold when first used and are explained in Definitions.