Australia Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Calculator
Calculate capital gains tax (CGT) on Australian assets including property, shares, and crypto. See the impact of the 50% CGT discount.
Last updated: April 2026
Added to your cost base.
Deducted from your sale proceeds.
CGT Payable
$38,850
Gross Capital Gain
+$210,000
Holding Period
4y 5m(Discount applies)
Effective CGT Rate
18.50%
Net Cost Base
$525,000
Net Proceeds
$735,000
Gross Capital Gain
$210,000
CGT Discount
−$105,000
50% CGT discount (individual, >12 months)
Capital Losses Offset
−$0
Taxable Gain
$105,000
Tax Payable
$38,850
Effective CGT Rate
18.50%
After-Tax Proceeds
$171,150
CGT Discount Applied
Because you held this asset for more than 12 months, the 50% CGT discount saves you $38,850 in tax compared to selling before the 12-month mark.
What is Capital Gains Tax in Australia?
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is the tax you pay on the profit from selling a capital asset such as property, shares, or cryptocurrency. In Australia, capital gains are added to your assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate.
If you hold an asset for more than 12 months, only 50% of the capital gain is included in your taxable income, effectively halving your CGT liability.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter purchase details — Input the purchase price and any additional acquisition costs.
- 2Enter sale details — Input the sale price and costs such as agent fees or brokerage.
- 3Select holding period — Indicate whether you held the asset for more or less than 12 months.
- 4Review CGT liability — The calculator shows your capital gain, discounted taxable gain, and estimated CGT.
Formula & example
Capital Gain = Sale Price - Cost Base | Taxable Gain = Capital Gain x 50% (if held 12+ months) | CGT = Taxable Gain x Marginal Tax Rate
Example: You buy shares for AUD 20,000 and sell for AUD 40,000 after 2 years. Capital gain = AUD 20,000. With the 50% discount, taxable gain = AUD 10,000. At 37% rate, CGT = AUD 3,700.
Benefits
50% CGT discount
Assets held for more than 12 months attract only half the CGT of short-term assets.
Offset capital losses
Capital losses from other assets in the same year can reduce your net capital gain.
Plan your sale timing
Knowing your CGT in advance helps you decide the best year to sell to minimise tax.
Covers all asset classes
Use for property, shares, crypto, business assets, and other capital assets.
Use cases
Investment property sale
Estimate the CGT payable when selling a rental or investment property.
Share portfolio
Calculate CGT on listed shares, ETFs, or managed funds.
Cryptocurrency
Determine CGT on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets.
Business assets
Calculate CGT when selling business equipment, goodwill, or the business itself.
Frequently asked questions
Does CGT apply to your primary residence?+
No. Your main residence is generally exempt from CGT in Australia, provided you have lived in it for the entire period of ownership. Partial exemptions apply if you rented it out at any time.
Can I offset capital losses against capital gains?+
Yes. Capital losses in the same income year are first applied to capital gains, reducing the net gain you are taxed on. Unused capital losses can be carried forward to future years.
Is CGT a separate tax in Australia?+
No. CGT is not a standalone tax. The capital gain is added to your assessable income and taxed at your marginal income tax rate.
Does the 50% discount apply to superannuation funds?+
Superannuation funds in accumulation phase get a 33.3% discount, not 50%. Funds in pension phase pay zero CGT on assets backing retirement income streams.
When must I report a capital gain?+
Capital gains must be reported in your tax return for the income year in which the sale settles. You report the gain even if you have not yet received all the proceeds.