Fair Dinkum Money

Capital gains tax

CGT calculator for shares & crypto

Works the way the ATO actually assesses it: your net gain is added to your income and taxed at your marginal rate — not a flat “CGT rate”. Applies the 50% discount if you held for more than 12 months.

$

Total you sold for (AUD)

$

What you paid, including buy-side fees

$

Brokerage, exchange or transfer fees on sale

$

This year's losses plus carried-forward losses

$/yr

Individuals get a 50% CGT discount past 12 months

Estimated CGT payable

$3,184

After-tax profit $16,716 · effective rate on gross gain 16.0%

StepAmount
Gross capital gain$19,900
Less capital losses−$0
Less 50% discount −$9,950
Taxable gain added to income$9,950
Tax on that gain at your marginal rates$3,184

Losses are applied before the discount, per ATO ordering rules — that’s why offsetting losses against discounted gains is the right move. Crypto-to-crypto swaps are disposals too. For dozens of trades, a tax tool that ingests your exchange history — like Koinly or the Australian-built Syla — will save you hours. If you sign up through these links we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

How CGT is calculated

Start with what you sold for, subtract your cost base and selling costs, and you have your capital gain. Subtract any capital losses. If you held the asset for at least 12 months, halve what remains. That figure is added to your taxable income, and the extra tax it creates is your CGT.

Because the gain is stacked on top of your income, a large gain can push part of it into a higher tax bracket. The calculator works out the exact difference between the tax on your income with and without the gain.

Ways people legitimately reduce CGT

  • Holding for at least 12 months to qualify for the discount.
  • Selling in a year when your other income is lower, such as a career break.
  • Realising losses in the same year as gains (the ATO targets wash sales done only for the tax benefit).
  • Keeping records of every purchase, including fees, so your cost base is complete.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital gains tax rate in Australia?

There isn't a separate CGT rate. Your net capital gain for the year is added to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate, including the Medicare levy. The same gain costs more tax for a high earner than for someone on a lower income.

How does the 50% CGT discount work?

If you are an individual and owned the asset for at least 12 months, you only add half of the net gain to your income. For example, on a $20,000 gain with $90,000 of other income in 2026-27, tax is about $3,200 with the discount versus $6,400 without it.

Do capital losses reduce the tax on my salary?

No. Capital losses can only be used against capital gains. Any unused loss carries forward indefinitely and is applied against future gains, before the 50% discount.

Why are losses applied before the discount?

That is the order the ATO requires: take your capital gains, subtract your capital losses, then apply the discount to what is left. It means a loss offsets the full undiscounted gain, which is more valuable than offsetting a gain that has already been halved.

Is crypto taxed the same way as shares?

Yes. Crypto is a CGT asset, so selling it, swapping it for another coin, or spending it are all disposals that can create a gain or loss. The 50% discount applies if you held that parcel for at least 12 months.

What goes into my cost base?

What you paid for the asset plus the costs of buying and selling it, such as brokerage and exchange fees. Enter purchase fees in the cost base and sale fees as incidental costs.