How is capital gains tax calculated in Australia?

Australia has no separate CGT rate. The net capital gain is added to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate. If you held the asset for more than 12 months, individuals get a 50% discount on the gain before it is added to income.

What is the 50% CGT discount?

Individuals and trusts who hold a CGT asset for at least 12 months before disposal can reduce the assessable capital gain by 50%. Companies do not get the discount, and superannuation funds get a one-third (33.33%) discount instead.

Can capital losses reduce my CGT?

Yes. Capital losses are first subtracted from gross gains before the discount is applied. Any unused losses can be carried forward to future years, but losses cannot offset ordinary income.

Is my main home subject to CGT?

Generally no — your main residence is usually exempt from CGT under the main residence exemption. Investment properties and shares are not exempt, which is what this calculator models.

Does this calculator store my data?

No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser and nothing is uploaded, so your figures stay private.

Australia Capital Gains Tax Calculator

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This Australia capital gains tax calculator estimates the CGT an individual pays on selling shares or an investment property. Australia does not have a flat CGT rate — instead the net capital gain is added to your other income and taxed at your marginal rate, after the generous 50% CGT discount for assets held more than 12 months.

How it works

First the gross gain is your sale proceeds minus your cost base (purchase price plus acquisition and disposal costs). Any capital losses are subtracted next. If you held the asset for more than 12 months, individuals reduce the remaining gain by 50% — the CGT discount.

The discounted gain is then stacked on top of your other taxable income and run through the 2024-25 resident marginal brackets:

$0 – $18,200      0%
$18,201 – $45,000  16%
$45,001 – $135,000 30%
$135,001 – $190,000 37%
$190,001 +          45%

The CGT payable is the extra tax created by adding the discounted gain on top of your existing income — i.e. tax on (income + gain) minus tax on income alone. The Medicare levy (2%) is not included here.

Example

You bought shares for $20,000 and sold them for $40,000 after two years, giving a $20,000 gross gain. The 50% discount halves it to a $10,000 assessable gain. If your other income is $90,000 (in the 30% bracket), the $10,000 gain is taxed at roughly 30%, so CGT payable is about $3,000.

Notes

This is an estimate for resident individuals. It excludes the Medicare levy, capital works adjustments, and special rules for collectables or pre-1985 assets. Company and super-fund disposals use different discount rules. Always confirm with a registered tax agent before lodging.