Personal investors guide to capital gains tax 2005

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About this guide

The Personal investors guide to capital gains tax 2004-05 explains the capital gains tax consequences of:

• the sale or gift (or other disposal) of shares or units
• the receipt of distributions of capital gains from managed funds, and
• 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 2004-05.

Who should not use this guide?

Do not use this guide if you are an investor who is not a resident of Australia or if you 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 Carrying on a business of share trading - Fact sheet ).

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 capital gains tax consequences when you sell other assets such as:

• a rental property
• collectables (for example, jewellery, art, antiques and collections), and
• assets for personal use (for example, a boat you use for recreation).

For these, see the Guide to capital gains tax 2004-05 (NAT 4151-6.2005).

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 explained in Definitions .

Introduction

This guide will help you complete:

• item 17 Capital gains on your Tax return for individuals (supplementary section) 2005 , or
• item 9 Capital gains if you use the Tax return for retirees 2005 .

Note: You cannot use the Tax return for retirees 2005 if you had a distribution from a managed fund during the year.

If you sold or otherwise disposed of shares or units in a unit trust (including a managed fund) in 2004-05, read part A of this guide, then work through part B .

If you received a distribution of a capital gain from a managed fund in 2004-05, read part A of this guide, then work through part C .

Managed funds include property trusts, share trusts, equity trusts, growth trusts, imputation trusts and balanced trusts.

Small business CGT concessions

If you are involved in the sale of shares or units for a small business, you may wish to read the Guide to capital gains tax concessions for small business (NAT 8384).

Investments in foreign hybrids

If you have an investment in a foreign hybrid, the tax treatment from 1 July 2003 or optionally from 1 July 2002 has changed. A foreign hybrid is an entity that was taxed in Australia as a company but taxed overseas as a partnership. More information is available on our website.

General value shifting regime (GVSR)

If you own shares in a company or units (or other fixed interests) in a trust and value has been shifted in or out of your shares or units, you may be affected by value shifting rules. Generally, the rules only affect individuals who control the company or trust, or individuals who are related to individuals or entities that control the company or trust.

For more information, see General value shifting regime - in brief (NAT 8933), available on our website.

ATO references:
NO NAT 4152