B1: How to work out your capital gain or capital loss
To calculate your capital gain from the sale of shares, or units in a unit trust (for example, a managed fund), the 3 main steps are:
- Step 1 Work out your capital proceeds from the CGT event
- Step 2 Work out the cost base of your asset
- Step 3 Did you make a capital gain?
If you received more from the CGT event than the asset cost you (that is, the capital proceeds are greater than the cost base), the difference is your capital gain. The 3 ways of calculating your capital gain are described in Part A – step 3.
If you received less from the CGT event than the asset cost you (that is, the capital proceeds are less than the cost base), you then need to work out the asset’s reduced cost base to see if you have made a capital loss. Generally, for shares, the cost base and reduced cost base are the same. However, they will be different if you choose the indexation method, because the reduced cost base can't be indexed.
If the reduced cost base is greater than the capital proceeds, the difference is a capital loss.
If the capital proceeds are less than the cost base but more than the reduced cost base, you have not made a capital gain or a capital loss.
The following steps (1–11) show you the calculations required to work out your CGT obligation using the ‘other’ and discount methods. If you want to use the indexation method (by indexing your cost base for inflation), you do this at Step 2. You may find it easier to follow the worked examples in Chapter B2.
You may find it useful to use notepaper to do your calculations while you work through the following steps so you can transfer the relevant amounts to question 18 in your supplementary tax return.
Step 1 Work out your capital proceeds from the CGT event
The capital proceeds are what you receive, or are taken to receive, when you sell or otherwise dispose of your shares or units.
For example, with shares the capital proceeds can be:
- the amount you receive from the purchaser
- the amount or value of shares or other property you receive on a merger or takeover
- the market value if you give shares away.
Example 1: capital proceeds
Fred sold his parcel of 1,000 shares for $6,000. Fred’s capital proceeds are $6,000.
End of exampleStep 2 Work out the cost base of your asset
In certain circumstances a cost base may be indexed up to 30 September 1999 in line with changes in the CPI; this is called the indexation method and the cost base would then become an ‘indexed’ cost base. For more information, see the worked examples in Chapter B2.
The cost base of your asset is the total of:
- what your asset cost you
- certain incidental costs of buying and selling it – brokerage or agent’s fees, legal fees, stamp duty and investment advisers’ fees (but not investment seminar costs)
- the costs of owning the asset, such as interest on monies borrowed to acquire the asset (generally, this will not apply to shares or units because you will usually have claimed or be entitled to claim these costs as tax deductions)
- any costs you incurred in establishing, maintaining and defending your ownership of it.
You may also need to adjust the cost base for an asset such as a share or unit by the amount of any non-assessable payment you received from the company or fund during the time you owned the share or unit. This is explained in Chapter B3 (shares) and Chapter C2 (units).
For more information on how to determine your cost base and reduced cost base, see Guide to capital gains tax 2024.
Example 2: calculating the cost base
Fred bought the 1,000 shares that he sold in example 1 for $5 each ($5,000). When he bought them he was charged $50 brokerage and paid stamp duty of $25. When he sold the shares he paid $50 brokerage.
The cost base of his shares is:
$5,000 + $50 + $25 + $50 = $5,125.
End of exampleStep 3 Did you make a capital gain?
Subtract the amount in step 2 from the amount in step 1.
If the capital proceeds are greater than the cost base, the difference is your capital gain.
Example 3: calculating capital gain
As Fred sold his shares for $6,000, he subtracts his shares’ cost base of $5,125 from the capital proceeds of $6,000 to arrive at his capital gain, which is $875.
End of exampleStep 4 If you didn't make a capital gain, work out the reduced cost base of the asset
If you didn't make a capital gain, you need to calculate a reduced cost base of your asset before you can work out any capital loss.
The reduced cost base is the cost base less any amounts you need to exclude from it.
Example 4: reduced cost base
In our example, Fred had no amounts to exclude, so the cost base and the reduced cost base for his shares are the same ($5,125).
End of exampleFor units in an attribution managed investment trust (AMIT), you may need to make upwards or downwards adjustments to the cost base and reduced cost base of your units, depending on your AMIT cost base net amount. Your fund should advise you of your AMIT cost base net amount (and other relevant amounts) in your AMMA statement.
For units in other funds, you may need to make downwards adjustments to the cost base and reduced cost base depending on the types of amounts distributed. Your fund should advise you of these amounts in its statements:
- tax-deferred amount; this reduces the cost base and the reduced cost base
- CGT-concession amount; if received before 1 July 2001, this reduces the cost base and reduced cost base (if received on or after 1 July 2001, it doesn't affect your cost base or your reduced cost base)
- tax-free amount; this reduces your reduced cost base only
- tax-exempted amount; this does not affect your cost base or reduced cost base.
Step 5 Did you make a capital loss?
If the capital proceeds are less than the reduced cost base, the difference is your capital loss.
Example 5: capital loss
If Fred had sold his shares for $4,000 instead of $6,000, he would have made a capital loss of $1,125 (that is, his reduced cost base of $5,125 less his capital proceeds of $4,000).
End of exampleStep 6 Did you make neither a capital gain nor a capital loss?
If the capital proceeds are less than or equal to the cost base but more than or equal to the reduced cost base, you have not made a capital gain or a capital loss.
Example 6: neither capital gain nor capital loss
If Fred had sold his shares for $5,125 he would not have made a capital gain or a capital loss.
End of exampleStep 7 Work out your total current income year capital gains
Write the total of the capital gains for all your assets for the current income year at question 18 – label H in your supplementary tax return.
If you had a distribution of capital gains from a managed fund, include this in your total capital gains. See Step 3 in Chapter C1.
If you have any capital losses, don't subtract them from the capital gains before writing the total amount at label H.
Example 7: capital gains
Fred does not have any other capital gains. Therefore, from step 3, he writes $875 at question 18 – label H in his supplementary tax return.
End of exampleStep 8 Applying capital losses against capital gains
If you don't have capital losses from assets you disposed of this year or unapplied net capital losses from earlier years, go to Step 9.
If you made capital losses this year, subtract them from the amount you wrote at label H. If you have unapplied net capital losses from earlier years, subtract them from the amount remaining after you subtract the capital losses made this year. Subtract both types of losses in the manner that gives you the greatest benefit.
Subtracting your losses
You will probably get the greatest benefit if you subtract capital losses from capital gains in the following order:
- capital gains for which neither the indexation method nor the discount method applies (that is, if you bought and sold your shares within 12 months)
- capital gains calculated using the indexation method, and then
- capital gains to which the CGT discount can apply.
Losses from collectables and personal use assets
You can use capital losses from collectables in this year and unapplied net capital losses from collectables from earlier income years only to reduce capital gains from collectables. Jewellery, art and antiques are examples of collectables.
Losses from personal use assets are disregarded. Personal use assets are assets mainly used for personal use that are not collectables, such as a boat you use for recreation. For more information, see Guide to capital gains tax 2024.
If the total of your capital losses for the year and unapplied net capital losses from earlier years is greater than your capital gains, go to Step 11.
Example 8: applying a net capital loss
Fred had a net capital loss of $75 from some shares that he sold last income year. Apart from his capital gain of $875 (see example 7) he had no other capital gains or capital losses this income year. Fred can reduce this income year’s capital gain of $875 by $75. Fred’s remaining capital gain is $800.
End of exampleStep 9 Applying the CGT discount
If you have any remaining capital gains you can now apply the CGT discount, if it is applicable, and reduce them by 50%.
Remember, you can't apply the CGT discount to:
- capital gains calculated using the indexation method
- capital gains from CGT assets you bought and sold within 12 months.
Example 9: applying the CGT discount
As Fred owned his shares for at least 12 months, he can reduce his $800 gain by the CGT discount of 50% to arrive at a net capital gain of $400:
$800 × 50% = $400
End of exampleStep 10 What is your net capital gain?
The amount now remaining is your net capital gain (cents are not shown). Write this amount at question 18 – label A in your supplementary tax return.
Example 10: net capital gain
Fred writes his net capital gain of $400 at question 18 – label A in his supplementary tax return.
End of exampleGo to Chapter B2.
Step 11 does not apply if you have a net capital gain.
Step 11 Work out and show your carry-forward losses
If the total of your capital losses for the year and unapplied net capital losses from earlier income years is greater than your capital gains, you were directed to this step from step 8.
Don't write anything at question 18 – label A in your supplementary tax return.
At question 18 – label V in your supplementary tax return write the amount by which the total of your capital losses for the year and unapplied net capital losses from earlier income years is greater than your capital gains for the year. You carry this amount forward to be applied against later income year capital gains.
Example 11: carry-forward losses
Continuing the example from step 5, if Fred had no other capital gains or losses, he would write $1,125 at question 18 – label V in his supplementary tax return. He would leave blank at question 18 – labels A and H in his supplementary tax return.
End of exampleB2: Worked examples for shares and units
The following examples show how CGT works in various situations where people have bought and sold shares and units. They may help you meet your CGT obligations and complete question 18 in your supplementary tax return.
Example 12: a capital gain from one parcel of shares that was bought and sold less than 12 months later.
Sonya bought 1,000 shares in Tulip Ltd for $1,500 including brokerage and sold them less than 12 months later for $2,350. She paid $50 brokerage on the sale. The sale is a CGT event.
As Sonya bought and sold the shares within 12 months, she uses the ‘other’ method to calculate her capital gain. She can't use the indexation or discount method. Her capital gain is:
$2,350 − ($1,500 + $50) = $800.
As she has no other CGT event and does not have any capital losses, Sonya writes the following at question 18 in her supplementary tax return:
- $800 at label H
- $800 at label A.
Example 13: a capital gain from the sale of units which was bought before 11:45 am AEST on 21 September 1999 and gave to a sibling more than 12 months later.
In May 1999, Andrew bought 1,200 units in Share Trust for $1,275 including brokerage. He gave the units to his brother more than 12 months later. At that time they were worth $1,595.
The gift is a CGT event. As Andrew bought the units before 21 September 1999 and he owned them for more than 12 months, he can use the indexation or discount method to calculate his capital gain, whichever method gives him the better result.
Indexation method
If Andrew calculates his capital gain or capital loss using the indexation method, he indexes the cost of his units and the incidental costs of buying them as follows:
- CPI for September 1999 quarter = 68.7
- CPI for June 1999 quarter = 68.1
- Indexation factor = 68.7 ÷ 68.1 = 1.009
His indexed cost base is worked out as follows:
- His cost ($1,275) × 1.009 = $1,286
So his capital gain is:
- Capital proceeds $1,595
- minus Indexed cost base $1,286
- Capital gain $309
Discount method
If Andrew uses the discount method, his capital gain is calculated as:
- Capital proceeds
$1,595 - minus Cost base
$1,275 - Total capital gain
$320 - subtract CGT discount (see note)
$160 - Capital gain
$160
Andrew does not have any capital losses. If he did, he would deduct any capital losses before applying the CGT discount.
Andrew chooses the discount method because it gives him a smaller capital gain.
As he has no other CGT event and does not have any capital losses, Andrew writes the following at question 18 in his supplementary tax return:
- $320 at label H
- $160 at label A.
If Andrew had received a non-assessable payment from the fund, his cost base may have been reduced and the capital gain may have been greater. If the fund was an AMIT, Andrew's cost base may have been increased or decreased, and the capital gain should be calculated to reflect his adjusted cost base. For more information, see Chapter C2.
End of example
Example 14: a capital gain from one parcel of shares which was given before 11:45 am AEST on 21 September 1999 and sold more than 12 months later.
In October 1986, Fatima was given 500 shares in FJM Ltd with a market value of $2,500. She sold the shares last March for $4,500.
The sale is a CGT event. As Fatima acquired the shares before 21 September 1999 and owned them for more than 12 months, she can use the indexation or discount method to calculate her capital gain, whichever method gives her the better result.
Indexation method
If Fatima calculates her capital gain using the indexation method, the indexation factor is:
- CPI for September 1999 quarter = 68.7
- CPI for December 1986 quarter = 44.4
- Indexation factor = 68.7 ÷ 44.4 = 1.547
Her indexed cost base is:
- $2,500 × 1.547 = $3,868.00
So her capital gain is calculated as follows:
- Capital proceeds
$4,500 - minus Indexed cost base
$3,868 - Capital gain
$632
Discount method
If Fatima uses the discount method, her capital gain is calculated as:
- Capital proceeds
$4,500 - minus Cost base
$2,500 - Total capital gain
$2,000 - minus CGT discount (see note)
$1,000 - Capital gain
$1,000
Fatima doesn't have any capital losses. If she did, she would deduct any capital losses before applying the CGT discount.
Fatima chooses the indexation method because it gives her a smaller capital gain.
As she has no other CGT event and does not have any capital losses, Fatima writes the following at question 18 in her supplementary tax return:
- $632 at label H
- $632 at label A.
Example 15: a capital gain from some units bought after 11:45 am AEST on 21 September 1999 and redeemed less than 12 months later.
Colin bought 500 units in Equity Trust for $3,500 in October and redeemed them less than 12 months later in June for $5,000 by switching, or transferring, his units from a share fund to a property fund. The redeeming of units is a CGT event.
As Colin owned the units for less than 12 months, he calculates his capital gain using the ‘other’ method.
Colin’s capital gain is:
- Capital proceeds
$5,000 - minus Cost base
$3,500 - Capital gain
$1,500
As he had no other CGT event and does not have any capital losses, Colin writes the following at question 18 in his supplementary tax return:
- $1,500 at label H
- $1,500 at label A.
If Colin had received a non-assessable payment from the fund, his cost base may have been adjusted and the capital gain may have been greater. If the fund was an AMIT, Colin's base may have been increased or decreased, and the capital gain should be calculated to reflect his adjusted cost base. For more information, see Chapter C2.
End of example
Example 16: a capital gain from some shares bought after 11:45 am AEST on 21 September 1999 and sold more than 12 months later. They also have a net capital loss from an earlier income year.
Mei-Ling bought 400 shares in TKY Ltd for $15,000 in October 1999 and sold them for $23,000 last February. The sale is a CGT event. She also has a net capital loss of $1,000 from an earlier income year that has not been applied against later income year capital gains.
As she bought the shares after 21 September 1999, Mei-Ling can't use the indexation method. However, as she owned the shares for more than 12 months, she can use the discount method. Her capital gain is:
- Capital proceeds
$23,000 - minus Cost base
$15,000 - Total capital gain
$8,000 - minus net capital loss
$1,000 - Capital gain (before applying the CGT discount)
$7,000 - minus CGT discount
$3,500 - Capital gain
$3,500
As she has no other CGT event, Mei-Ling writes the following at question 18 in her supplementary tax return:
- $8,000 at label H
- $3,500 at label A.
Example 17: a capital loss from one parcel of shares bought before 11:45 am AEST on 21 September 1999 and sold more than 12 months later.
In October 1986, Mario purchased 2,500 shares in Machinery Manufacturers Ltd for $2,650 including brokerage. He sold the shares last March for $2,300 and paid $50 brokerage costs. Mario also made a capital loss of $350 on some shares he sold in 1999–2000 but had not made any capital gain since then that he could use to offset his capital losses.
The sale is a CGT event. Mario purchased the Machinery Manufacturers Ltd shares before 11:45 am AEST on 21 September 1999 but he made a capital loss, so neither the indexation nor the discount method applies.
Mario calculates his capital loss for the current income year as follows:
- Reduced cost base ($2,650 + $50) = $2,700
- minus capital proceeds = $2,300
- Capital loss = $400
The net capital losses that Mario can carry forward to reduce capital gains he may make in later income years are:
- Net capital loss for 2023–24 = $400
- plus net capital loss for 1999–2000 = $350
- Net capital losses carried forward to later income years = $750
As he has no other capital gains or capital losses, Mario writes $750 at question 18 – label V in his supplementary tax return He doesn't write anything at question 18 – label A.
End of example
Example 18: capital gains from shares bought before 11.45am AEST on 21 September 1999 and had capital losses carried forward from a previous income year.
Clare sold a parcel of 500 shares last March for $12,500 ($25 each). She had acquired the shares in March 1995 for $7,500 ($15 each), including stamp duty and brokerage costs. There were no brokerage costs on sale. Clare had no other capital gains or capital losses for the current income year, although she has $3,500 unapplied net capital losses carried forward from earlier income years.
Because Clare owned the shares for more than 12 months, and because she acquired the shares before September 1999, she can use the discount method or the indexation method to work out her capital gain, whichever gives her a better result. Clare firstly works out her net capital gain by applying both the indexation method and the discount method to the whole parcel of shares:
|
Calculation element |
Using indexation method |
Using discount method |
|---|---|---|
|
Capital proceeds |
12,500 |
12,500 |
|
Cost base |
8,078 |
7,500 |
|
Capital gain |
4,422 |
5,000 |
|
subtract capital losses |
3,500 |
3,500 |
|
Equals |
922 |
1,500 |
|
50% CGT discount |
Not applicable |
750 |
|
Net capital gain |
922 |
750 |
Note 1: (68.7 ÷ 63.8 = 1.077) ($7,500 × 1.077 = $8,078)
However, because each share is a separate asset, Clare can use different methods to work out her capital gains for shares within the parcel. The lowest net capital gain would result from her applying the indexation method to sufficient shares to absorb the capital loss (or as much of the capital loss as she can) and apply the discount method to any remaining shares. Clare therefore applies the indexation method to the sale of 396 (see Note 2) shares and the discount method to the remaining 104.
Note 2: To calculate this, Clare worked out the capital gain made on each share using the indexation method ($4,422 ÷ 500 = 8.84) and divided the capital loss by this amount ($3,500 ÷ 8.84 = 396).
She works out her net capital gain as follows:
Indexation method (396 shares)
- Capital proceeds ($25 each)
$9,900 - Cost base (396 × $15 × 1.077)
$6,397 - Capital gain
$3,503 - minus Capital losses
$3,500 - Net capital gain
$3
Discount method (104 shares)
- Capital proceeds ($25 each)
$2,600 - Cost base (104 × $15)
$1,560 - Capital gain
$1,040 - minus 50% CGT discount
$520 - Net capital gain
$520
As she has no other capital gains or capital losses, Clare writes the following at question 18 in her supplementary tax return:
- $4,543 at label H
- $523 at label A.
Clare doesn't write anything at question 18 – label V.
End of exampleB3: Additional information for shares and units
This chapter briefly explains less common situations for personal investors, including those arising from:
- rights or options
- stapled securities
- non-assessable payments
- share buy-backs
- takeovers and mergers
- demergers
- dividend reinvestment plans
- bonus shares and bonus units
- dividends paid by listed investment companies (LIC) that include a LIC capital gain.
Rights or options to acquire shares or units
If you hold shares or units, you may be issued rights or options to acquire additional shares or units at a specified price.
Rights or options issued directly to you from a company or trust for no cost
You are taken to have acquired the rights or options at the same time you acquired the original shares or units. Therefore, if you acquired the original shares or units before 20 September 1985, any capital gain or capital loss you make when the rights or options expire or are sold is disregarded as they are pre-CGT assets.
If you acquired the original shares or units on or after 20 September 1985, you make a capital gain if the capital proceeds on the sale or expiry of the rights or options are more than their cost base. You make a capital loss if the reduced cost base of the rights or options is more than those capital proceeds.
Rights and options you paid to acquire from a company or trust, or that you acquired from another person
If you acquired your rights or options on or after 20 September 1985, they are treated much like any other CGT asset and are subject to CGT.
Special rules apply if you exercise the rights or options. For more information, or if you acquire rights or options under an employee share scheme, see Guide to capital gains tax 2024.
Stapled securities
Stapled securities are created when 2 or more different securities are legally bound together so that they can't be sold separately. Many different types of securities can be stapled together, for example, many property trusts have their units stapled to the shares of companies with which they are closely associated.
The effect of stapling depends upon the specific terms of the stapling arrangement. The issuer of the stapled security will be able to provide you with detailed information on their particular stapling arrangement. However, in general the effect of stapling is that each individual security retains its character and there is no variation to the rights or obligations attached to the individual securities.
Although a stapled security must be dealt with as a whole, the individual securities that are stapled are treated separately for tax purposes. For example, if a share in a company and a unit in a unit trust are stapled, you:
- continue to include separately in your tax return dividends from the company and trust distributions from the trust
- work out any capital gain or capital loss separately for the unit and the share.
Because each security that makes up your stapled security is a separate CGT asset, you must work out a cost base and reduced cost base for each separately.
If you acquired stapled securities (for example, you bought the stapled securities on the ASX), you apportion, on a reasonable basis, the amount you paid to acquire the stapled security (and any other relevant costs) among the various securities (share and unit trust) that are stapled. One reasonable basis of apportionment is to have regard to the portion of the value of the stapled security that each security represented. The issuer of the stapled security may provide assistance in determining these amounts.
If you acquired your stapled securities as part of a corporate restructure you will, during the restructure, have owned individual securities that were not stapled. The way you work out the cost base and reduced cost base of each security depends on the terms of the stapling arrangement. The issuer of the stapled security may provide information to help you determine these amounts.
When you dispose of your stapled securities, you must divide the capital proceeds (on a reasonable basis) between the securities that make up the stapled security and then work out whether you have made a capital gain or capital loss on each security. The issuer of the stapled security may provide information to help you determine these amounts.
For examples covering stapled securities, see Guide to capital gains tax 2024.
Non-assessable payments
There can be non-assessable payments for both shares and units.
Non-assessable payments from a company to a shareholder
Non-assessable payments to shareholders are usually called a return of capital. If you received a payment from a company in respect of your shares and it was not a dividend, you deduct the amount of the payment from both the cost base and the reduced cost base of your shares.
If the non-assessable payment is greater than the cost base or reduced cost base of your shares, you include the excess as a capital gain. The capital gain is discounted if you held the shares for at least 12 months. If you use the indexation method to work out the amount of this capital gain, you can't use the discount method to work out a capital gain when you later sell the shares or units.
Non-assessable payments from a managed fund to a unit holder
The treatment of these payments is similar to non-assessable payments from a company to a shareholder. For more information, see Chapter C2.
Non-assessable payments under a demerger
If you receive a non-assessable payment under an eligible demerger, you don't deduct the payment from the cost base and reduced cost base of your shares or units. You may make a capital gain on the non-assessable payment if it exceeds the cost base of your original share or unit, although you will be able to choose a rollover. You need to recalculate your cost base and reduced cost base under the demerger rules.
An eligible demerger is one that happens on or after 1 July 2002 and satisfies certain tests. The head entity will normally advise shareholders or unit holders if this is the case.
For more information, see Guide to capital gains tax 2024.
Share buy-backs
If you disposed of shares back to a company under a buy-back arrangement, you may have made a capital gain or capital loss.
You compare the capital proceeds with your cost base and reduced cost base to work out whether you have made a capital gain or capital loss.
The time you make the capital gain or capital loss will depend on the conditions of the particular buy-back offer.
For an off-market share buy-back announced and undertaken by a listed public company after 7:30 pm (AEDT) on 25 October 2022, no part of the buy-back price will be treated as a dividend. Instead, the entire buy-back price is treated as capital proceeds. For more information, see Improving the integrity of off-market share buy-backs. Under other off-market buy-backs, where a dividend is paid as part of the buy-back price, the amount paid excluding the dividend is generally your capital proceeds for the share.
Example 19: off-market share buy-back of shares held in a private company including dividend
Ranjini bought 10,000 shares in Company M, a private company, in January 2003 at a cost of $6 per share, including brokerage. The shares in Company M are not listed on a stock exchange.
In January 2023, the company wrote to its shareholders advising them it was offering to buy back 10% of their shares for $9.60 each. The buy-back price was to include a franked dividend of $1.40 per share (and each dividend was to carry a franking credit of $0.60).
Ranjini applied to participate in the buy-back to sell 1,000 of her shares.
Company M approved the buy-back last April on the terms anticipated in its earlier letter to shareholders.
The market value of Company M shares at the time of the buy-back (if the buy-back didn't occur and was never proposed) was $10.20.
Ranjini received a cheque for $9,600 (1,000 shares × $9.60) last May.
Because it was an off-market share buy-back; the shares were not held in a listed public company; and the buy-back price was less than what the market value of the share would have been if the buy-back hadn’t occurred, Ranjini works out her capital gain as follows:
Capital proceeds per share
= $10.20 (market value) − $1.40 (dividend)
= $8.80
Total capital gain:
- Capital proceeds $8.80 × 1000 shares = $8,800
- Cost base $6 × 1000 shares = $6,000
- Capital gain (before applying any discount) $8,800 − $6,000 = $2,800
Ranjini takes her capital gain into account in completing question 18 in her supplementary tax return. She also includes her dividend by writing $1,400 (her franked dividend amount) at question 11 in her tax return and $600 (her franking credit) at question 11 in her tax return.
End of exampleTakeovers and mergers
If a company in which you held shares was taken over and you received new shares in the takeover company (the offeror), you may be entitled to a scrip-for-scrip rollover for any capital gain you made. This means you can defer the capital gain made on the disposal of your old shares until a later CGT event happens to your new shares. Usually, the takeover company would advise you if the scrip-for-scrip rollover conditions were satisfied.
If you also received some cash from the takeover company, you only get rollover on the proportion of the original shares for which you received shares in the takeover company. You will need to apportion the cost base of the original shares between the replacement shares and the cash.
If the scrip-for-scrip conditions were not satisfied, your capital proceeds for your original shares will be the total of any cash and the market value of the new shares you received.
Scrip-for-scrip rollover may also be available to the extent that units in a managed fund are exchanged for units in another managed fund.
For more information about takeovers and mergers, see Guide to capital gains tax 2024.
Demergers
A demerger involves the restructuring of a corporate or fixed trust group by splitting its operations into 2 or more entities or groups. Under a demerger, the owners of the head entity of the group (that is, the shareholders of the company or unit holders of the trust) acquire a direct interest (shares or units) in an entity that was formerly part of the group.
If you owned interests in a company or fixed trust that is the head entity of a demerger group and you received new interests in the demerged company or trust, you may be entitled to a demerger rollover.
Generally, the head entity undertaking the demerger will advise whether you are entitled to rollover, but you should seek our advice if you are in any doubt. The ATO may have provided advice in the form of a class ruling on a specific demerger confirming that a rollover is available. Even if you don't choose a rollover, you must recalculate the cost base and reduced cost base of each of your original interests in the head entity and your new interests in the demerged entity.
For more information, see:
- Demergers calculator
- Taxation Determination TD 2020/6 Income tax: what is a 'restructuring' for the purposes of subsection 125-70(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997?
Dividend reinvestment plans
Under these plans, shareholders can choose to use their dividend to acquire additional shares in the company instead of receiving a cash payment. For CGT purposes, you are treated as if you received a cash dividend and then used it to buy additional shares. Each share (or parcel of shares) received in this way is treated as a separate asset and you must make a separate calculation when you sell them.
For more information about the topics covered in this chapter, including demergers, see Guide to capital gains tax 2024 and You and your shares 2024.
Bonus shares and bonus units
Bonus shares are additional shares received by a shareholder in respect of shares already owned. These shares may be received by a shareholder wholly or partly as a dividend. The shareholder may also pay an amount to get them.
Bonus units may also be received in a similar way.
The CGT rules for bonus shares and bonus units are very similar. If you have sold bonus shares or bonus units, see Guide to capital gains tax 2024.
Dividends paid by listed investment companies (LIC) that include a LIC capital gain
If a LIC pays a dividend to you that includes a LIC capital gain amount, you may be entitled to an tax deduction.
You can claim a deduction if:
- you are an individual
- you were an Australian resident when a LIC paid you a dividend
- the dividend included a LIC capital gain amount.
The amount of the deduction is 50% of the LIC capital gain amount. The LIC capital gain amount will be shown separately on your dividend statement.
You don't write the LIC capital gain amount at question 18 in your supplementary tax return.
Example 20: LIC capital gains
Ben, an Australian resident, was a shareholder in XYZ Ltd, a LIC. Last March, Ben received a dividend from XYZ Ltd of $70,000 including a LIC capital gain amount of $50,000. Ben can claim a $30,000 franking credit relating to the dividend.
|
Tax return label |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Franked amount |
$70,000 |
|
Franking credit |
$30,000 |
|
Amount included in total income |
$100,000 |
|
Deduction for LIC capital gain |
$25,000 |
End of example
Continue to: Part C: Distributions from managed funds
Return to: Part A: How capital gains tax applies to you