Guide to capital gains tax 2008-09

How to work out your capital gain or capital loss

This chapter explains how to work out each capital gain or capital loss you made during the income year.

It does not explain how to work out your net capital gain or net capital losses carried forward to later income years. If you are completing the Tax return for individuals 2009 (NAT 2541) and want more information on how to calculate your net capital gain for the income year or net capital losses carried forward to later income years (including how to deduct any unapplied net capital losses from earlier years), see part B of this guide. For more information about companies, trusts and funds or about completing the CGT summary worksheet, see part C of this guide.

New terms We may use some terms that are new to you. These words are explained in Definitions. Generally, they are also explained in detail in the section where they first appear.

Sections within How to work out your capital gain or capital loss

• Three methods of calculating capital gains
• The 'other' method
• The indexation method
• The discount method
• Choosing the indexation or discount method
• How to calculate a capital loss