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Capital Gains Tax Calculator Australia

Estimate CGT on property, shares, crypto and other assets.

How the CGT Calculator Works

How It Works

  1. Enter purchase and sale values: Provide the acquisition cost and the sale proceeds for your property, shares, cryptocurrency, or other CGT asset.
  2. Set the holding period: The dates determine whether the 50% CGT discount applies (assets held longer than 12 months).
  3. Enter your other annual income: The calculator layers the taxable capital gain on top of your existing income to estimate the incremental tax.
  4. Review the result: Compare your total tax with and without the gain to understand the actual CGT cost at your marginal rate.

Key CGT Concepts

50% CGT Discount

For assets held over 12 months, only half the capital gain is added to your taxable income. This effectively halves the tax on long-term investments.

Marginal Tax Effect

Capital gains are taxed at your marginal rate, not a flat CGT rate. The tax depends on your total income position after the gain is included.

Capital Losses

Losses from asset sales can offset capital gains but not salary income. Unused losses carry forward indefinitely to reduce future gains.

Holding Period

The time between purchase and sale determines discount eligibility. Selling just before the 12-month mark means full taxation on the entire gain.

Example: Shares sold after 2 years

Purchased for $200,000, sold for $350,000, with $90,000 annual salary:

Capital gain breakdown

  • Gross capital gain:$150,000
  • 50% CGT discount:-$75,000
  • Taxable capital gain:$75,000

Tax impact

  • Tax without gain ($90k):$19,588
  • Tax with gain ($165,000):$48,163
  • Additional CGT:$28,575

Example only. Enter your own figures in the calculator above.

What this CGT estimate does and does not cover

It estimates the incremental tax effect

Rather than applying a flat CGT rate, the calculator measures the increase in total tax once the taxable gain is added to your other annual income. That reflects how capital gains are actually taxed for individuals in Australia.

The 50% discount changes taxable income, not the tax rate

If you qualify for the discount, only half the gain is added to taxable income. Your marginal tax rate still depends on your wider income position after that gain is included.

Cost-base adjustments are not modelled

Real CGT calculations can include brokerage, stamp duty, improvements, legal fees, capital losses carried forward and asset-specific exemptions. Treat this as a clean baseline, not a final tax return figure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the additional CGT estimate calculated?

The calculator works out the taxable capital gain, adds it to your other annual income, then reruns the site's tax engine. The extra tax shown is the difference between tax with the gain and tax without it.

When does the 50% CGT discount apply?

For individuals, the standard discount applies when an eligible asset has been held for more than 12 months. In that case only half of the capital gain is added to taxable income.

What happens if the result is a capital loss?

The calculator shows a capital loss and sets additional tax to zero. Capital losses generally carry forward to offset future capital gains and do not reduce salary or wage income directly.

Does the property option include main-residence exemptions?

No. The property option is there for context only. This tool does not model main-residence exemptions, partial exemptions, cost-base adjustments, or state-specific transaction costs.

How does my other income affect the CGT I pay?

Capital gains are added on top of your other taxable income, so they are taxed at your marginal rate. Someone earning $50,000 will pay less CGT on the same gain than someone earning $150,000, because the gain pushes into higher tax brackets for the higher earner.

Can I offset capital losses against my salary?

No. Capital losses can only offset capital gains — they cannot reduce tax on salary, wages, or other ordinary income. Unused capital losses carry forward indefinitely to offset future capital gains.

How do I calculate capital gains tax on property in Australia?

Subtract your cost base (purchase price plus stamp duty, legal fees, and improvement costs) from the sale price to get the gross capital gain. If you held the property for more than 12 months, the 50% CGT discount halves the taxable gain. The remaining amount is added to your other income and taxed at your marginal rate. This calculator estimates that incremental tax. Note: main-residence exemptions are not modelled here.

Is cryptocurrency subject to capital gains tax in Australia?

Yes. The ATO treats cryptocurrency as a CGT asset. Selling, trading, or exchanging crypto triggers a CGT event. If you held the crypto for more than 12 months, you can claim the 50% discount. Enter the purchase and sale values into this calculator to estimate the additional tax on your crypto gains.

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